Bright Nights, News and Updates from the Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

The holiday season is upon us! We kicked it off in November with the City of Bright Nights Ball at MGM Springfield, and we have been busy ever since with the opening of Bright Nights at Forest Park with Governor Charlie Baker, the Bright Nights 5K Road Race, the holiday concert by the 215^th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, and we greeted more than 1,000 military, law enforcement, firefighter, and frontline worker families at Bright Nights.

We look forward to welcoming you to Bright Nights at Forest Park. Be sure to include a visit to Santa’s Magical Forest when you are there.

-- Judy Matt

President

Bright Nights Opens with Governor Baker

Bright Nights at Forest Park opened for its 27^th season with Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Santa, Mayor Domenic Sarno, sponsors, and supporters. With a magical countdown, led by Governor Baker and Santa, the lights went on from Seuss Land to the Giant Poinsettia Candles. Governor Baker was impressed by the magnificent displays.

Lines were long on opening night as many took advantage of the discounted admission. It was just $6 per car, the same fee as in 1995 when Bright Nights at Forest Park made its debut.

Visit Santa's Magical Forest

Every trip to Bright Nights at Forest Park needs a visit to Santa's Magical Forest. Visitors can stretch their legs, shop for gifts and souvenirs, take a spin on the carousel, and get a snack to enjoy while taking the lighted tour.

This year, there is a new display in Santa's Magical Forest. It is perfect for selfies and group photos. It would be perfect for a family photo for the annual holiday card.

Carousel ride tickets are just $3 each or 2 for $5. The merchandise in the gift shop includes the new children's book, Bright Nights sweatshirts and hats, and items from local crafters.

Santa's Magical Forest is located after Seuss Land with the entrance on the left.

Runners Back for Bright Nights 5K

They took their marks under the Seuss Land arch. The siren went off, and more than 500 runners ran their way through Bright Nights at Forest Park in the Bright Nights 5K Road Race. The 5K route took them through Seuss Land, Garden of Peace, and Jurassic World, all the way to Happy Holidays Springfield, and back.

Following the run, participants gathered in the Bright Nights storage facility for a hearty soup supper, post-race camaraderie, and to get the race results, which are now available online. The race winners were Edgar Gebhardt for the men with a time of 19 minutes and 13 seconds, and for the women, it was Gabriela Stolpinski who ran the route in 22 minutes and 14 seconds.

The holiday run was sponsored by Siemens and Freedom Credit Union, supported by volunteers who marked the course, and students from Springfield College who assisted with registration.

Check out all the great photos.

Honoring Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighters and Frontline Workers

More than 1,000 cars filled with families of soldiers, police officers, firefighters, EMTs and frontline workers rolled through Bright Nights at Forest Park on December 1^st. They were greeted by Mayor Domenic Sarno, Major General Gary Keefe, The Adjutant General for the Massachusetts National Guard, Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood, Colonel Joseph Janik, Commander at Westover Air Reserve Base, Colonel William Bladen, Commander of the 104^th Fighter Wing, Dr. Mark Keroack, President of Baystate Health, and representatives from the Springfield Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Police.

This is the Spirit of Springfield’s way to say thank you for the sacrifices they make during the holiday season and all year round.

See more photos!

Holiday Sounds from 215th Army Band

Springfield Symphony Hall was filled with the sounds of the season thanks to the 35 musicians from the 215^th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. On Sunday, December 5^th, they performed a free concert, sponsored by Mercy Medical Center and Trinity Health of New England.

There were patriotic selections like “Star Spangled Banner,” “Stars and Stripes,” and “Armed Forces Medley,” fife and drum selections, a brass band and a party band. The concert band performed “Sleigh Ride” with a holiday sing-a-long, and more.

Blossoms Bountiful at Bright Nights Ball

It was a sea of cherry blossoms at the 2021 City of Bright Nights Ball. Some guests' attire even matched the theme with pink bow ties and floral gowns. They dined on a scrumptious menu prepared by Executive Chef Chris Smigel and his culinary team at MGM Springfield. They danced to the music of Groove Authority, and further supported the Spirit of Springfield with live and silent auction purchases, and 50/50 raffle.

The event’s 25^th anniversary was celebrated with a video produced by Missy Thibault of Chris Teebo Films, paying homage to Peter Picknelly, Sr., who suggested the event, and so many others who have been a part of the event, from the invitation to the décor, to the student hosts from Western New England University, and those that have worked behind the scenes to make the gala so special.

Eastman made this year’s gala extra special by sending everyone home with a delicious box of chocolates. Thank you to Eastman and all of the Golden Circle Sponsors, American Medical Response, The Colvest Group, Comcast, Country Bank, FR Investment Group, Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, MassMutual, MGM Springfield, MP CPA, New England Business Machine, Sheraton Springfield, and the Springfield Business Improvement District.

See all the photos of the beautiful evening.

In this Issue

Bright Nights Opens with Governor Baker

Visit Santa's

Magical Forest

Runners Back for

Bright Nights 5K

Honoring Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighters and Frontline Workers

Holiday Sounds from the 215th Army Band

Blossoms Bountiful at Bright Nights Ball

Guest Column

Major General

Gary Keefe

Bright Nights Loyalty Card

Guest Column

Gary W. Keefe, Major General, MA ANG

The 43rd Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard

I wanted to take a few minutes to put into words to thank Judy Matt and the entire team of dedicated and skilled trade workers, volunteers, and sponsors who make Bright Nights the best holiday experience and tradition on the entire east coast. This year once again, during the annual Military and First Responder Appreciation Night, I was able to be part of the team of Military and First Responder Leaders who joined the Bright Nights team to thank our military service men and women for defending our Constitution, as well as the multitude of first responders who continue to keep us and our communities safe.

Each year, Bright Nights continues to shine as the beacon of light that brings together holiday cheer, hope, and genuine gratitude and thanks regardless of the challenges and hurdles we face as both individuals and as a country. Car after car of families, friends, clubs and tour groups all share that holiday spirit, and hope for a healthy new year. That feeling that arrives each year in Springfield, combined with the air being filled with warm wishes of; “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “Happy Chanukah,” "Feliz Navidad,” "Happy Kwanzaa,” and “Thank you for your service,” or “Thank you for protecting us,” is the best holiday gift any military member, police officer, fire fighter, or EMT could ask or wish for any time of year. Bright Nights creates that opportunity each year for those few words of appreciation and well wishes to let us all know, we are appreciated for the oath we took, to protect our nation, and communities, and ALL who want to call Western Massachusetts their home.

On behalf of the soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen, all our law enforcement officers, our firefighters, and EMTs I want to thank Mayor Sarno, Judy Matt, and ALL the sponsors, volunteers, and skilled technicians who do whatever is necessary to make sure Bright Nights remains a holiday tradition that we all can count on to make sure the spirit of the holidays will shine every year in Forest Park. The spark that shines in every light bulb installed in each display throughout the park continues to be the source that reminds each carload of visitors of what the holidays are all about…family, friends, and faith. Too bad we can't run Bright Nights 365 days a year, the world would be better off if we could!