The Spirit of Springfield was pleased to lend it expertise to the City of Springfield for the 2016 Inaugural Celebration. It is a part of the organization's mission to support the City and provide reasons for celebration.
We thank everyone who participated and supported our efforts.
Judy Matt
President
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Mayor Sarno's Inaugural Gala
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno greeted hundreds of well-wishers to the Sheraton Springfield on Friday, January 8. They were welcomed by Springfield Central High School ROTC, listened to music by the Sci-Tech Jazz Band and enjoyed sweet treats prepared by Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.
It was important to Mayor Sarno to have Springfield's future participate in his inaugural celebration.
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Chris Teebo Films Capturing the Spirit
Throughout 2015, there was a camera capturing the Spirit of Springfield's events. Chris Teebo Films went behind the scenes in Mercy Medical Center's kitchen as they prepared the batter for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, on the Memorial Bridge as Fireworks by Grucci prepared for Star Spangled Springfield and even on stage to capture the enthusiastic audience enjoying the Holiday Concert by the 215th Army Band.
The Spirit of Springfield will debut the three-minute video next month at the Spirit of Springfield 25th Anniversary Appreciation Breakfast.
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 U. S. Navy Band Coming to Symphony Hall
Fifty-nine members of The U. S. Navy Concert Band will fill the stage in Springfield Symphony Hall for a free performance on Saturday, March 5 at 7PM. The concert will feature a wide array of marches, patriotic selections, orchestral transcriptions and modern wind ensemble in their repertoire. As the original ensemble for the U. S. Navy, the Concert Band has been performing public concerts and participating in high-profile events for over 85 years. The free concert is sponsored by Big Y World Class Markets in celebration of their 80th anniversary. Tickets will be available by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Spirit of Springfield (1350 Main Street, Suite 1004, Springfield, MA 01103), and from February 11 - March 5 in the lobby of 1350 Main Street, and at various Big Y World Class Markets. For a complete list visit spiritofspringfield.org.
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Bright Nights Results Are In
The results of the Bright Nights Program Book survey are in, and we have learned more about the 200,000 visitors and what they experienced during their visit.
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Previously attended
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87%
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Visiting since 1995
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25%
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Visited more than once in 2015
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25%
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Plan to visit it in the future
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88%
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Visited from outside the area
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46%
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Visited a restaurant
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40%
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Purchased amusement ride tickets
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15%
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"We have been coming to Bright Nights since it began. It gets better every year! Thank You!" - Nancy P., Berlin, CT
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Bright Nights Amusements Big Attraction
More visitors than ever got out of their cars to enjoy the amusements and attractions outside Bright Nights' Santa's Cottage. With the warmer than normal temperatures, visitors rode the carousel and Santa Train, got in the giant snow globe, and took their photos with the reindeer barn and the elf cut-outs.
The amusements were added to Bright Nights to extend and enhance the visitor's experience, and provide a higher return on the price of the admission. The Spirit of Springfield, with great input from Jason Freeman, Spirit of Springfield Treasurer and Six Flags Corporate Director of Security, Safety & Risk Management, will continue to develop new attractions for Bright Nights while maintaining the integrity of the Northeast's premier holiday lighting experience.
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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 26 Years of Springfield's
Biggest, Best and Brightest
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Guest Column
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Kevin Kennedy,
Chief Development Officer,
City of Springfield
As we begin 2016, Springfield is on the verge of many exciting opportunities that have come forth after years of careful planning under the direction of Mayor Domenic Sarno.
That excitement is tangible as we see the heavy equipment navigating site prep and demolition activities on the site of the $950 million MGM Springfield development. On the north edge of downtown, a 377 space parking garage is rising for Union Station as the historic terminal building is being prepared for a late 2016 grand opening, with commuter rail to follow. This $88 million investment will provide a brand new face to transit in Springfield and the region and become a hub of daily activity. In East Springfield, building renovation and site prep have begun for the $94 million CRRC railway facility, a project that will bring 150 good paying manufacturing and assembly jobs to the site of the former Westinghouse company. As the company continues to pursue new contracts throughout the country in addition to its MBTA contract, all signs point to this being a wonderful addition to Springfield's corporate landscape. These developments are tremendous additions to our local economy, and the spinoff that they generate has already begun with businesses choosing to locate and expand in Springfield to become part of the supply chain. And while a great deal of new economic activity is swirling in the city, longstanding economic catalysts like MassMutual Finance, Baystate Health, and Smith & Wesson continue to innovate and grow, employing thousands of our residents and people throughout the region. We are then left with a great problem to have - many jobs to fill in the upcoming years. The Mayor is laser focused on workforce development to prepare our residents for the opportunities that will become available today, tomorrow, and in the future. Much like Bright Nights, the economic future of Springfield is ready to shine.
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2016 Calendar of Events!
Saturday, March 5
7PM
Symphony Hall
Sponsored by Big Y World Class Markets
Saturday, May 14
8AM to 11AM
Main Street
Sponsored by MGM Springfield
Friday, June 3
10AM
Franconia Golf Course
Sponsored by Western Mass News
Monday, July 4
7PM to 10PM
Riverfront Park
Sponsored by MassMutual
Saturday, November 12
6:30PM to 12Midnight
Friday, November 25
11AM
Main Street
Sponsored by Tower Square
November 23 - January 1 Closed November 28-29
Forest Park
Monday, November 28
Raindate: November 29
Forest Park
Sunday, December 4
Symphony Hall
Sponsored by Mercy Medical Center
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