The fun and festivities never end for the Spirit of Springfield. As we wrap up Bright Nights at Forest Park, we take on an exciting new assignment that will be announced soon.
We are also planning the Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast to show our gratitude to those that made the 22nd season a grand success.
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Bright Nights Goes In To Storage
After another successful season, the Springfield Park Department Crew have begun the arduous task of dismantling the magnificent lighting displays and placing them on the shelves in the new storage facility.
They began the process by rolling up six miles of roadway lighting. This was followed by collecting the cords. Then, the larger displays will be broken down in to sections, tagged, inventoried and assessed for improvements for the 2017 season of Bright Nights at Forest Park.
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Bright Nights Survey Results
Bright Nights visitors were given a chance to share feedback about their visit and about themselves. Of those that responded and who will receive a $5-off coupon for the 2017 season, we learned:
| * Previously Attended |
79% |
| * Visiting Since 1995 |
27% |
| * Visited More Than Once in 2016 |
29% |
| * Plan to Visit in the Future |
88% |
| * Visited from Outside the Area |
46% |
| * Visited a Restaurant |
33% |
| * Purchased Amusement Ride Tickets |
9% |
Some of the comments included:
"We love it. I used to bring my kids and now I enjoy bringing my grandchildren." - Sharon from Hartford, CT
"Amazing! It was my first time and I am definitely coming back!" - Mallory from Southbridge, MA
"Outstanding! Awesome! Wonderful for Springfield!" - M. J. from Springfield, MA
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Bright Nights Season Passes
The Bright Nights Season Passes will be back for the 2017 season. They received rave reviews. One purchaser said she tried to use it every night, but did miss a few. So many others said they plan to purchase it again.
The coupons included with the season pass were used by many from $5-off at Pizzeria Uno and Maureen's Sweet Shoppe, Breakfast with Santa at Tower Square, discounts in the gift shop, free kettle corn and more. Forty-three percent passed along their coupon for free admission to Bright Nights. Nearly 10% used a coupon for a gift shop purchase.
Soon, we will be looking for new partners for the 2017 Season Pass Coupon Book.
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There's a New Sheriff in Town
Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt was on hand when Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, Jr. turned the keys over to Nick Cocchi. In Sheriff Ashe's honor, a bell from the former York Street Jail was rung seven times for each term he served Hampden County.
Judy was proud to represent the Spirit of Springfield at the event to show her appreciation for Sheriff Ashe, and support for Sheriff Cocchi and the Hampden County Sheriff's Department.
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Congratulations Jason, John and Kathy!
Three Spirit of Springfield Board Members have taken on new assignments.
Jason Freeman is now
Corporate Vice President for Security, Safety, Health & Environmental
for Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. He will continue to offer expertise and guidance as a Spirit of Springfield Board Member.
John Hesslein, Station Manager for Western Mass News, will serve the organization as its Treasurer.
Kathy Tobin's new title is Grandma. Her son, Sam, and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed Ginny on Tuesday, January 17 at Baystate Health Center. Coincidentally, the attending nurse was there for Sam's birth.
Best wishes to all of them!
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Guest Column
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Nick Cocchi
Sheriff of Hampden County
What the Spirit of Springfield accomplishes and achieves year-round is extraordinary.
In my career, and now as our new Sheriff, I've been proud of the nationally recognized standard of excellence the Hampden County Sheriff's Department has achieved. I recognize that same level of excellence in every effort of The Spirit of Springfield.
My family has experienced the community spirit and pride that energizes each event. It's there, on our streets, at Riverfront Park, in Forest Park. You can feel it.
The Spirit of Springfield Team, Judy, Amy, Nicole; every board member and the countless volunteers who mix pancake batter to holding those big balloons down, have brought smiles to so many faces across Hampden County.
From a sky filled with world-class fireworks to one of the nation's greatest lighting displays, we can be inspired, and aspire, to reach a little higher, to be and give a little bit more.
Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio said he played every game like it was the World Series, because there might be a child sitting in the stands for the first time. That's how the Spirit of Springfield Team plays every event. It's always the World Series of Springfield, every event, every time, for the child in every one of us.
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NEW
Season of Events!
Mark your calendars so you are a part of the
f
un and festivities!
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2017 Calendar of Events!
Saturday, May 13
8AM to 11AM
Main Street
Friday, June 2
10AM
Franconia Golf Course
Tuesday, July 4
7PM to 10PM
Riverfront Park
Saturday, November 11
6:30PM to 12Midnight
Friday, November 24
11AM
Main Street
Sponsored by Tower Square
November 22 - January 1
Closed November 27-28
Forest Park
Monday, November 27
Raindate: November 28
Forest Park
Sunday, December 10
Symphony Hall
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