October News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

Thank you to Gleason Johndrow Landscaping owners, Tony Gleason and David Johndrow, for sponsoring the 2017 City of Bright Nights Ball. We also welcome three new sponsors, Springfield College to Bright Nights at Forest Park and DataBind and Florence Bank to the City of Bright Nights Ball.

We are always looking for ways to expand the scope of our support so the Spirit of Springfield can continue to bring the community together in celebration as we have been for 27 years!

Our hearts go out to the victims, families and first responders in Las Vegas.

- Judy Matt
President

Snowflakes to Waltz for the City of Bright Nights Ball

Plans for the 2017 City of Bright Nights Ball were recently announced at the Sheraton Springfield, location of the 22nd annual gala. Tony Gleason and David Johndrow, owners of Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, accepted the role as co-chairs and sponsor from Tom Senecal, President and Chief Executive Officer of PeoplesBank who served as last year's chair and sponsors.

To give a taste of the gala, Sheraton Springfield Executive Chef Dennis Henry served some of the decedent hors d'oeuvres that guests will enjoy at the November 11 black-tie gala. A table was dressed with a beautiful linen and a towering centerpiece of flowers and candles. There was a preview of the invitation that shimmered with silver foil snowflakes. The design team consists of Rebecca Coderre, RC Communications, Andrew Jensen, JX2 Productions, and Dan Stezko, Flower, Flowers!

Tickets for the City of Bright Nights Gala are $500 per couple. All proceeds from the event help to underwrite costs associated with the many free, family-friendly events the Spirit of Springfield presents each year.

Bright Nights Season Pass Sales Extended

Holiday revelers have until the end of October to purchase a 2017 Bright Nights Season Pass for $50. With the small sticker on their car, purchasers will be able to enjoy the three miles of holiday lights every night. It also includes a coupon book full of discounts at Bright Nights and around the community.

Some of the discounts include tickets for CityStage/Symphony Hall, Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield Museums and Springfield Thunderbirds. There are also coupons for airport parking the Z-Park, La Quinta-Springfield, AAA-Pioneer Valley, Festival of Trees and Tower Square's Breakfast with Santa, plus $5-off at Maureen's Sweet Shoppe, Uno's Pizzia & Grill and more.

In the park, 2017 Season Pass holders receive one free car admission for a friend (or maybe the car behind them), free kettle corn, hot chocolate, ride tickets and more!

Purchase on-line by October 31, 2017 for $50. Bright Nights Season Pass offer will be retired in November.

Bright Nights 5k - SOLD OUT

At 12:05am on Monday, September 18, 250 people had registered for the Bright Nights 5K Road Race. By 1am, there were 75 spots left. At 5:40, the link for registering for the November 27 switched to Wait List. All 500 spots were sold out.

"Every year, we sell out faster than the year before," said Judy Matt, President, Spirit of Springfield. "I look forward to seeing the costumes the runners wear. Santa Suits. Crazy sweaters. Bells, ornaments, and other adornments."

The race through the lighting displays will be held Monday, November 27 (Rain Date: Tuesday, November 28). It is sponsored by Health New England with additional support from the Freedom Credit Union.

September 11th Remembered

Since 2012, the Spirit of Springfield has been proud to support the Springfield Police and Fire Departments September 11th Remembrance Ceremony. This year, Tamara Sacharczyk from WWLP-22News introduced the speakers and offered her memories of the attacks. She was a young girl at the time.

The program featured the traditional roll out of equipment, tolling of the bell and comments from Mayor Domenic Sarno, Springfield Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, Police Commissioner John Barbieri, Patrick Leonardo from American Medical Response, and Colonel James Suhr, Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base who said, "We don't talk about remembering Pearl Harbor. We don't remember the Alamo. We remember 9/11."

See more photos!

Balloon Wranglers Wanted

The Cat in the Hat is coming back for the Parade of the Big Balloons, sponsored by Tower Square, on Friday, November 25. He needs 42 balloon wranglers to guide him down Main Street. In total, there are close to 300 ropes that need to be held.

It is a great way to be a part of the excitement of the holiday procession!

Volunteers must be atleast 16 years old, weigh a minimum of 90 lbs., and be unaccompanied by anyone not meeting these requirements. All arrive at 9am for balloon assignments, training and their parade souvenir.

Breaking News!

Now accepting early reservations for the City of Bright Nights Ball, sponsored by Gleason Johndrow Landscaping. The event is nearly 50% sold.

Tickets for the November 11 gala at the Sheraton Springfield are $500 per couple with tables for ten $2,500. For prominently located tables and tickets to the Chairman's Reception, the price is $5,000. If you are interested, contact [email protected].

In This Issue

Snowflakes to Waltz for City of Bright Nights Ball

Bright Nights Season Pass Sale Extended

Bright Nights 5K - SOLD OUT

September 11th Remembered

Balloon Wranglers Wanted

Breaking News

Guest Column - Tony Gleason, III

Bright Nights Season Pass

Guest Column

Anthony Gleason, II

President

Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, Inc.

I am extremely honored to serve as a co-chair for the City of Bright Nights Ball with David Johndrow.

Bright Nights at Forest Park brings together people from all walks of life and reminds us what the holiday season is truly about. It is a reflection of the hardworking values I see in my employees from the city each and every day.

I firmly believe that to have Gleason Johndrow Landscaping headquartered in Springfield means more than just coming to work each day. It's about being a partner and investing in things that bring people together around a common purpose and shared sense of civic pride. Few things match that criteria like Bright Nights.

I hope to see you all at Bright Nights and the kick-off to the holiday season, the City of Bright Nights Ball on November 11th.

FREE TICKETS

October 19

7pm

Springfield Symphony Hall

"The Marine Band is the national band ...

as great among bands as America is among nations."

--- John Phillips Sousa

Dates for 2017

U. S. Marine Band Concert

Free

Thursday, October 19

7PM

Springfield Symphony Hall

City of Bright Nights Ball

Saturday, November 11

6:30PM to 12Midnight

Sheraton Springfield
Sponsored by Gleason Johndrow Landscaping

Parade of the Big Balloons

Friday, November 24

11AM

Main Street