Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast. It was a great morning to say thank you to sponsors, supporters and the dedicated employees. It was also exciting to kick-off Bright Nights' 20th season with a video by Chris Teebo Films.

2014 and the 20th season of Bright Nights are gearing up to be grand.

Judy Matt
President

Bright Nights Breakfast for Sponsors
& Supporters

To wrap up Bright Nights at Forest Park's 19th season and kick-off the 20th, the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management held their annual Appreciation Breakfast. The Sheraton Springfield hosted nearly 100 people who have played a role in the success of Bright Nights. This included ticket sellers, sponsors, volunteers and, of course, the six-member team from the Springfield Park Division that installs, removes and maintains the displays.

Special guests at the breakfast included Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Ann Bruce representing Smith & Wesson, which was Bright Nights newest sponsor, and Dennis Bell from Carpenter Decorating, which manufactured the lighting displays. The 2nd annual Illuminary Award was presented to Springfield Police Officers Sean Sullivan and Ricky Viruet for keeping the music playing in the park during Bright Nights.

USAF Heritage of American Band Plays to Springfield

The USAF Heritage of American Band is back on tour and heading to Springfield. The band has a rich history of inspiring hearts and minds, building and sustaining American patriotism, and enhancing esprit de corps in the United State Air Force.

On a recent visit to Springfield, SSGT Darren Raybourne was in awe of Springfield's Symphony Hall. He said that band members that were once in the USAF Band of Liberty and now in their band, were excited about returning to the magnificent hall.

Tickets for the show on Wednesday, April 23 at 7PM will be available in April.

Donations Rolling In!

The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast utilizes donations from local and regional companies. The commitments are already being made. Baystate Health is donating cups, plates, forks, knives and stirrers. The Western Massachusetts Correctional Alcohol Control Center will brew hundreds of gallons of coffee. Cabot Cheese will provide more than 120 pounds of butter pads that are produced at Agri-Mark in West Springfield. Carando Classic Italian has already started curing the bacon.

Volunteers and exhibitors are welcome to register at spiritofspringfield.org.

Mark Your Calendars

The date for the Bright Nights 5K Road Race has been set. More importantly, the registration date has been established. Runners interested in taking part in the fun run that winds by and through the magnificent displays in Forest Park should first mark September 7 for registration which will begin at midnight. The race will be held Monday, December 1 with a rain date of Tuesday, December 2.

Enjoy some of last year's festivities and purchase images at SmugMug.

The Spirit of Springfield is a private, non-profit corporation

which produces high-quality,

large-scale events in the city of Springfield.

Our mission is to promote community events and
encourage civic pride.

Celebrating the city's biggest, best and brightest

In This Issue

Bright Nights Breakfast for Sponsors & Supporters

USAF Heritage of American Band Plays to Springfield

Donations Rolling In!

Mark Your Calendars

Guest Corner

Chris Russell,

Interim Executive Director,
Springfield Business Improvement District

As the interim director of the Springfield Business Improvement District, I would like to thank Judy Matt for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself and reaffirm the BID's commitment to the viability and vibrancy of our downtown.

As many of you know, the Spirit of Springfield plays an important role in developing and executing events that serve to highlight the many positive attributes of our downtown and the city as a whole. My family, like yours, has been the beneficiary of the organization's work to bring world-class events like the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, Tower Square Parade of the Balloons, and Bright Nights at Forest Park to Springfield.

The Springfield Business Improvement District has supported these efforts across the board, financially and operationally, and will continue to coordinate its efforts with the Spirit of Springfield to ensure the long-term success of downtown.

In this time of transition, our mission at the BID is unchanged. We will continue to highlight the assets downtown has to offer. We will also continue to upgrade our maintenance and beautification program, coordinate and promote unique events, assist with public safety initiatives, and support the efforts of groups like the Spirit of Springfield.

I look forward to seeing you downtown.

Help Us Plan For 2014!

Send Us Your Thoughts and Ideas to
staff@spiritofspringfield.org