Main Street was filled with happy, smiling faces for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. The attendance was one of the best ever! So glad we put Senators Jim Welch and Eric Lesser in charge of the weather. They delivered sunny skies and warm temperatures.

Now, on to the Spirit of Springfield Golf Tournament. Another attendance record-breaker!

- Judy Matt
President

Biggest Birthday Bash for Springfield

The turnout for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by MGM Springfield, was tremendous. The community came out in force to enjoy the hot, hearty breakfast in the middle of Main Street on May 14.

There were so many pancakes served that a mad dash had to be made to purchase more syrup. The batter came close to running out. Of the 500 galloons of batter that was made, there was only 20 gallons left.

Honorary Co-Chairs, Senators Jim Welch and Eric Lesser, recognized four volunteer groups with the coveted Golden Spatula Awards. They were Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, Springfield Health and Human Services Department, Springfield Code Enforcement/Public Buildings, and Springfield Police Department K-9 Unit for Paws for a Cause.

See even more photos on Flikr!

Dunk Tanks Make a Splash

There was cheering and jeering going on in Court Square as some of Springfield's high-profile personalities took seats over the chilly waters that filled two dunk tanks. They were there to raise money for American Legion Posts 21's historic return to Gastonia, NC.

No one walked away dry including Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis, State Representative Ben Swan, Springfield City Council President Michael Fenton, Dan Warwick, Springfield School Superintendent, Tad Tokarz, Springfield Central High School Principal, Al Cabot, Moriarty & Primack, and many more.

See even more photos!

Pancake Breakfast Expands Team

This year, there were two new supporters for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. It was all about the bacon. The challenge was to cook more than 1,000 pounds of Carando Classic Italians Apple Cider Cured Bacon.

Take 5 Restaurant and the Springfield Marriott joined forces to make it happen. It took more hours than they had imagined for Take 5 Restaurant to cook the bacon. The Springfield Marriott warmed the bacon Saturday morning while in the midst of a city-wide convention for the Sweet Adeline's.

Field Full for Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

A record-number of golfers will converge on Franconia Golf Course on June 3 for the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic, sponsored by Western Mass News. The tournament to raise funds for the Spirit of Springfield has 145 golfers, 25 tee sponsors and Community Spirit Sponsor support from Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, MassLive and Peoples Bank.

As the scramble wraps up, four area mayor's will compete in a putting contest that Mayor Richard Kos, City of Chicopee, has won two years in a row. Mayor Domenic Sarno will do his best to keep the trophy in Springfield while new comers to the contest, West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, will be vying to take the trophy home to their city.

See more photos from the 2015 Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic!

Christmas In July Returning

Bright Nights at Forest Park tickets will be available again this year at a great discount during Christmas in July. For 12 days, from July 12 to 24, tickets will be just $12 with a minimum order of 12 tickets.

This is a great way to beat the holiday rush, save money and support the Spirit of Springfield and Bright Nights at Forest Park, the Northeast's premier holiday lighting experience.

Christmas in July discounted tickets is a savings of as much as $9 on weekend or holiday admission for a car full of holiday revelers.

Springfield Hockey LLC Needs You to Help Name the Team

The American Hockey League's newest franchise is looking for suggestions for a new team name that reflects the energy and excitement Springfield is experiencing as a city on the rise.

MassLive and The Republican are accepting suggestions through Friday, June 3 at 12PM. Submit your ideas at www.MassLive.com/NametheTeam.

Be a part of the excitement and the team! Share on social media #NametheTeam.

Congratulations Kathy Tobin and Family!

Spirit of Springfield Board Member, Kathy Tobin, her husband, Joseph Martin, and her son, Joe, have had lots to celebrate in May.

Kathy became the Director of Annual Giving & Events for the Baystate Health Foundation.

"Coach" Joe's team won the NCAA Division I Championship. He is the Director of Men's Lacrosse Operations at the University of North Carolina.

Congratulations to all!

Check out the rest of the photos on our Flickr page.

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

In This Issue

Biggest Birthday Bash for Springfield

Dunk Tanks Make a Splash

Pancake Breakfast Expands Team

Field Full for Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

Christmas in July Returning

Stacks of Pancake Fun . . .

Guest Column - Greg Superneau, Springfield DPW

Guest Column

Greg Superneau,

Deputy Director,

Springfield Department of Public Works

The annual golf tournament that has signaled the start of summer for more than twenty years is teeing off on June 3rd. Each year more than one hundred golfers descend upon the skillfully maintained Franconia Golf Course for a tournament run by the Spirit of Springfield. Since its inception it has always been an event that highlights both the individuals who work and represent the City and those corporations that recognize Springfield as a great place to do business.

The tournament has always been a meticulously planned event from the style of golf shirts given to every player to the food and prizes. The staff of Spirit of Springfield is led by Judy Matt, a dear friend of my family including my late father Joseph Superneau. He took great pride in helping organize this event and our family was honored when after his passing; the annual trophy was named after him.

So get ready to tee them up to play in the golf tournament that really does capture the Spirit of Springfield. I look forward to seeing you out on the course.

Mark Your Calendar!

Star Spangled Springfield

Sponsored by MassMutual

July 4 - 7PM

Maxxtone

and Fireworks by Grucci

Riverfront Park

2016 Calendar of Events!

Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

Friday, June 3

10AM

Franconia Golf Course