Thanks to everyone one who waited patiently for one of Springfield's most spectacular fireworks displays. MassMutual, Tower Square, Smith & Wesson and many more are great community partners who invested in the Independence Day festivities.

Judy Matt
President

Star Spangled Springfield

The skies were clear. The temperatures were comfortable, despite the one day delay, and Riverfront Park was filled with families and friends to celebrate Independence Day with a Star Spangled Springfield. Fireworks by Grucci did an amazing job.

For more great photos of the fireworks visit spiritofspringfield.org.

Share Bright Nights Memories & Photos

As Bright Nights at Forest Park prepares to celebrate its 20th season, the Spirit of Springfield is collecting memories and photographs from visitors. They can be sent to staff@brightnights.org, and they may be included in a souvenir scrapbook, web site, Facebook, Twitter, or maybe even on a billboard.

Bright Nights was created to build lasting memories like the ones Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management Executive Director Patrick Sullivan has from enjoying the holiday wooden cutouts that lined the Forest Park ball fields. He piled in to his family's station wagon like families now fill their minivans for Bright Nights.

Bright Nights Road Race Reminder

The date has been set. The Bright Nights 5K Road Race registration will open on Monday, September 8. The race will be available to the first 500 who submit completed registration forms-runners required information and payment.

The Bright Nights Road Race will be held Monday, December 1, but runners should also be prepared to run the race on Tuesday, December 2 should it be postponed due to inclement weather or unsafe running conditions.

Ride to Remember

The Spirit of Springfield was pleased to be able to lend its support to Ride to Remember's fundraiser at Luxe Burger on Thursday, July 24. This is the second of several events to support the September 20th ride from Springfield to Boston in honor of fallen officers Kevin Ambrose of Springfield, Jose Tores of Westfield as well as fallen officers from across the Commonwealth.

Last year, the Ride to Remember had 200 rides most of which were from area police and fire departments. Their journey began on Boland Way in Downtown Springfield and ended at the State House where there is a Fallen Officers Law Enforcement Memorial. The riders raised $86,000.

Additional support is needed for the event and at upcoming fundraisers. Contact John Delany at jdelaney@springfieldpolice.net to make a donation, like Ride to Remember on Facebook, follow on Twitter, or visit the R2R website.

Judy Travels for Fireworks

La Rounde - Un Parc Six Flags is the site of an international fireworks competition. For the past 30 years, the park has hosted the competition.

In July, Judy traveled with Spirit of Springfield Board Members Jason Freeman, Dan Walsh and John Hesslein and their wives to be amazed by the fireworks presented by Australia.

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

Star Spangled Springfield

Share Bright Nights Memories & Photos

Bright Nights Road Race Reminder

Ride to Remember

Guest Corner

Sgt. John Delaney,

Springfield Police Department, "Ride-to-Remember" Ride Director

The Ride to Remember

is teaming up with the Spirit of Springfield and One Eighty Fit Gym for a Spinning fundraiser on Thursday, August 28 from 11AM to 2PM in front of One Financial Plaza (1350 Main Street) in Downtown Springfield.

We are recruiting riders. With a donation of $250, featured riders get 15 minutes on the bike, and friends, colleagues and bystanders can add five additional minutes for $50. Or raise $250 to challenge a friend, colleague or boss to ride the 15 minutes. With a donation of $20 get 15 minutes on a Spin bike. All riders get a "Ride to Remember" souvenir t-shirt and a coupon for a free Spin Class at One Eighty Fit Gym.

All proceeds from the event will go to Massachusetts Fallen Officers Memorial in honor of Springfield Police Officer Kevin Ambrose and Westfield Police Officer Jose Torres.

To register for the ride on August 28, contact the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800 or nicole@spiritofspringfield.org, or to support the "Ride to Remember," contact

jdelaney@springfieldpolice.net.