What an honor it was to host The U. S. Air Force Concert Band and the Singing Sergeants in Symphony Hall. It was also an amazing evening for students from Springfield Central High School who performed with the band and singers.

The Spirit of Springfield is all about making memories and this night was one that many will never forget!

Don't forget to vote tomorrow. It is our right and privilege.

Judy Matt
President

Let the Bidding Begin

Bids are now being accepted online at bidpal.net/spirit for some great auction items. Bidding will continue through and close at the City of Bright Nights Ball on Saturday, November 14.

Items include ski lift tickets, restaurant gift cards, hotels and resorts, gifts for him and her, tickets, wine tastings and more.

Celebrity auctioneers will be looking for the highest bid for:

Three-Night stay at The Venetian in a luxury suite with one night show tickets for two, dinner for two, one private gondola ride for two, plus $1,000 Travel Certificate from Emerald Travel (Donated by Las Vegas Sands Corp and Tower Square)

Four tickets to Kinky Boots and two overnight rooms at The Algonquin Hotel in New York City on December 18 (Donated by New England Business Machines and the Springfield Marriott)

$1,500 gift certificate from The Log Cabin/Delaney House with the use of the Barney Carriage House (Donated by The Log Cabin/Delaney House and the City of Springfield)

Bright Nights 21st Season

Bright Nights at Forest Park's 21st season will come to light when we flip the switch at the Gift Stop. All the while, eager holiday revelers will be at the front gate waiting for the opportunity to kick-off their holiday season with a magical journey through the three-mile tour. Admission to Bright Nights on opening night is just $6 per car, as it was in 1995, and free for Bright Nights Loyalty Card Members.

New to Bright Nights this season will be the relocation of the Never, Never Land display sponsored by Shriners Hospital - Springfield. The display will glow brighter as it will be lit with LED bulbs. The Victorian Village will also be lit with the energy-efficient bulbs.

At the Gift Stop, a Santa Train, Reindeer Barn and interactive inflatable snow globe will be added to the Winter Carousel. The snow globe will be a great opportunity for holiday photos with as many as four people allowed in to the globe at one time. The Barney Mansion is the backdrop in the snow globe.

Bright Nights Activities

The Northeast premier holiday lighting experience is more than just 650,000 lights. Activities that will take visitors out of their vehicles include:

New Santa Train Rides
New Reindeer Barn
New Holiday Snow Globe
Carousel Rides
Photos and visit with Santa
Horse Drawn Wagon and Carriage Rides
Souvenirs
Refreshments

At the Barney Carriage House, there will be Supper with Santa on December 4, 11 and 13. It is a great family tradition to continue, or to begin. New this year will be Frozen Fantasy with Winter Princesses, Christopher the Prince and the Friendly Snowman. The dates are December 29 and 30 with limited seating.

To make reservations for these events, contact the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800.

Parade of the Big Balloon Comes with Ropes Attached

On Friday, November 27 at 11AM, there will be 212 ropes attached to the seven balloons that will float down Main Street for the Parade of the Big Balloons, sponsored by Tower Square. The Cat in the Hat comes with 42. Yogi Bear, Buddy the Dinosaur, Paddington Bear and the Old Fashioned Santa each have 32. The American Flag as 24 and the Green and White Striped Package has 18.

Each rope requires a volunteer to safely guide the balloon down Main Street. The Springfield Museums, Smith & Wesson and many individuals have already volunteered. Balloon wranglers must be at least 16 years of age, weigh a minimum of 90 pounds and be unaccompanied by anyone not meeting these requirements. For more information about being a balloon wrangler, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

Senator Eric Lesser recalled being a balloon wrangler as a member of the Longmeadow Key Club.

To register your group, family or just yourself, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

The U. S. Air Force Band & Singing Sergeants

While on their Northeast Tour, the U. S. Air Force Concert Band & Singing Sergeants filled Springfield Symphony Hall with music, showmanship and shared the stage with students from Springfield Central High School. They performed classical pieces, "Appalachian Journey," and a patriotic tribute entitled "Proud to Serve."

Ten students with their instruments took the place of band members to perform "Emblem of Freedom." The Madrigal Singers from Springfield Central High School performed with the Singing Sergeants during the "World War II 70th Anniversary Salute."

Sponsored by Mercy Medical Center, the concert was dedicated to U. S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan. His family filled the front rows and his Marine family filled three rows behind them.

Historical Groundbreaking for Bright Nights

The Bright Nights displays have been stored in several locations since arriving in Springfield in 1995. The started in the former Monkey House, moved to the locker rooms and classrooms below Walker Grandstand, and then to the former horse stables.

With the support of Congressman Richard Neal, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and the determination of Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director for the Springfield Department of Parks, Recreation and Building Management, the shovels for the Bright Nights Technical Skills Training Facility ceremoniously were placed in to the ground.

The building, funded by a $1.29 million grant from the U. S. Economic Development Administration, $1,725,250 match of city funds, and $188,000 from the Spirit of Springfield, will have classrooms for technical training for various trades, as well as proper storage and maintenance facilities for the Bright Nights displays.

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 25 Years of Springfield's
Biggest, Best and Brightest

In This Issue

Let the Bidding Begin

Bright Nights 21st Season

Bright Nights Activities

Parade of the Big Balloons Comes with Ropes Attached

The U. S. Air Force Band & Singing Sergeants

Historical Groundbreaking for Bright Nights

Guest Column - Chef Chris Walls

Guest Corner

Daniel P. Moen

President & CEO

Sisters of Providence Health System

It's hard to believe that we are just a few weeks away from the holiday season-a time of year made more festive by the efforts of the Spirit of Springfield.

I am honored to serve as co-chair of the City of Bright Nights Ball. This important fundraising event, celebrating its 20th anniversary as Springfield's social event of the year, makes it possible for the Spirit of Springfield to continue promoting the city through extraordinary, family-friendly events such as the annual Pancake Breakfast, Parade of the Big Balloons, free concerts throughout the year, and Bright Nights at Forest Park.

Mercy Medical Center is proud to partner with the Spirit of Springfield in support of events such as these that renew a sense of community and bring joy to so many people.

Get Your Spirit of Springfield Anniversary Book

Call 413-733-3800

for a souvenir celebrating 25 years of Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

Balloon Wranglers Wanted!

More than 200 volunteers needed for Parade of the Big Balloons sponsored by Tower Square!

2015 Calendar of Events!

City of Bright Nights Ball

Saturday,

November 14
6:30 PM - Midnight
Sheraton Springfield

Bright Nights at Forest Park

November 25 - January 3

Closed November 30 & December 1

Forest Park

Bright Nights Roll Back Night

Wednesday, November 25

$6 Car Admission (Free Car Admission for Loyalty Card Members)

Forest Park

Parade of Big Balloons