Celebrating 26 Years of Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

Reflecting back on 2015, I am grateful for the ability to celebrate the Spirit of Springfield's 25th season, the ground breaking for the Bright Nights Maintenance/Training Facility and for everyone who made the year so spectacular.

For 2016, I look forward to making lasting memories for families throughout Greater Springfield, help build a stronger community bond and heighten civic pride. I hope you will help the Spirit of Springfield achieve our goals.

Happy New Year!

Judy Matt
President

Inaugural Festivities

The Spirit of Springfield is honored to be assisting the City of Springfield with the Inaugural Festivities for Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Springfield City Councilors.

The official swearing in took place on Monday, January 4, at 10AM at Old First Church. Providing greetings from the State Senate were Senator Eric Lesser, and for his colleagues in the State House, Representative Carlos Gonzalez. That evening, Mayor Sarno welcomed families to enjoy Bright Nights at Forest Park from 5PM to 7PM.

The Inaugural Gala will be held at the Sheraton Springfield on Friday, January 8 from 5:30PM to 9PM. The free event will feature the music of the Sci-Tech Jazz Band.

Prior to the inauguration, Mount Carmel hosted a mass of celebration.

Thank you to the local businesses that funded the celebrations.

Great Year for Bright Nights

This year marked Bright Nights 21st season that has been deemed a success. Mild temperatures allowed visitors to extend their experience by enjoying the amusement rides, reindeer barn and new giant Bright Nights snow globe just outside Santa's Cottage.

We estimate we welcomed 200,000 visitors in more than 30,000 cars and hundreds of buses. Past visitors brought new visitors who came from throughout New England. More importantly, Bright Nights made memories that will last a lifetime.

Bright Nights Activities at

Barney Carriage House

Bright Nights continued a tradition of Supper with Santa and hosted Frozen Fantasy at the Barney Carriage House. These activities entertained hundreds of children and their families. They were able to mingle with Santa, the Winter Princesses, Winter Prince and Happy Snowman.

Bright Nights Supper with Santa has been called "one of Springfield's best kept secrets."

Bright Nights Storage/Training Facility Progress

Work continues at Forest Park as crews build the new Bright NightsStorage/Training Facility as the former horse stables were taken down.

The new facility will provide proper storage for the Bright Nights displays. For many years, they were stored in the horse stalls in the stables and prior to that they were in the locker rooms and classrooms below the Walker Grandstand.

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 More Than 25 Years of Springfield's

Biggest, Best and Brightest

In This Issue

Inaugural Festivities

Great Year for Bright Nights

Bright Nights Activities at Barney Carriage House

Bright Nights Storage/Training Facility Progress

Guest Column - Mayor Sarno

Guest Column

We enter 2016 full of promise with many exciting projects and positive initiatives that will transform our City over the next three to five years.

I thank you all for your continued belief and confidence in my Administration's abilities. I'd also like to thank the Spirit of Springfield's "Mistress of Ceremonies," Judy Matt, Amy, Nicole, the Board of Directors, and hundreds of volunteers and numerous benefactors for all you do for our Springfield. You can't put a price tag on the morale boost you give to our Springfield.

Continued success and here's to a happy and prosperous 2016!

JOIN US!

Springfield Inaugural Gala

Friday, January 8

5:30PM to 9PM

Sheraton Springfield

FREE AND

OPEN TO ALL!

2016 Calendar of Events!

U. S. Navy Band Concert

Saturday, March 5

7PM

Symphony Hall