It is hard to believe that Bright Nights at Forest Park is celebrating its 28th season. In 1995, a sales representative wanted to put Santa on the ballfield, Santa on the tennis court, elves on the ballfield, with a short loop around the ballfields. My partner, Patrick Sullivan, and I wanted more. We envisioned a complete tour from Sumner Avenue to Route 5.
As the story goes, we called Carpenter Decorating. Dennis Bell, the sales manager, sent John Catenaci, the lighting designer. Week after week, we received his hand drawings for the proposed displays all of which visitors still enjoy to this day.
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Spirit of Springfield!
-- Judy Matt
President
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Bright Nights Opening Ceremony
The light count was officially increased when the switch was flipped on Bright Nights at Forest Park’s 28th season. On Wednesday, November 23rd, Santa was welcomed by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management Executive Director Patrick Sullivan, and was introduced by Paul Picknelly. He was assisted by several pint-sized fans and Boomer from the Springfield Thunderbirds to turn on the new displays in Santa’s Magical Forest.
The displays include a castle façade for the gift shop and a sweet shop. Both are great for selfies and family photos. There are also giant candy canes and lollipops. During the season many activities are taking place in the area.
The 2022 season of Bright Nights is sponsored by American Eagle Financial Credit Union, American Medical Response, Balise, Baystate Health, Big Y World Class Markets, Charlie Arment Trucking, Comcast, Eastman-Indian Orchard, Eversource Energy, Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, Health New England, iHeart Media, MassLive, MassMutual, Mercy Medical Center, MGM Springfield, MP CPA’s, PeoplesBank, Sarat Ford, Sheraton Springfield, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Thunderbirds, The Republican, The CW Springfield, WWLP-22 News, and Yankee Candle.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at brightnights.org, or discounted general admission tickets are available at Big Y World Class Markets.
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Sounds of the Season
FREE CONCERT
The sounds of the holiday and patriotism will fill Springfield Symphony Hall on Sunday, December 11th. The 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard will perform a concert at 2pm. The annual holiday concert, sponsored by Mercy Medical Center and presented by the Spirit of Springfield, will be free to all.
The 35-member musical ensemble will perform in small groups, including a fife and drum, rock and country bands, and a jazz ensemble. At the conclusion of the concert, the band will come all together on stage to perform “Into the Clouds,” selections from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmas Festival,” and the “Armed Forces Medley.”
Tickets for the concert are available at Pride Convenience Stores, One Financial Plaza (1350 Main Street, Springfield) lobby security desk from 8am to 6pm weekdays, and at the Springfield Visitors Center at 1319 Main Street during regular business hours.
“Throughout the performance, you will see our Musical Performance Teams such as our Fife and Drum, New Orleans Brass, Popular, and Concert Band. It is our Duty to tell the Army story, our Honor to recognize the efforts of our Veterans, and it is our Country that we come together to celebrate,” stated CW3 Stephen Martins, Commander, 215th Army Band.
In addition to Mercy Medical Center, the concert is made possible with the support of Pride Convenience Stores, MassLive, The Republican, Rock102, Sheraton Springfield, and WWLP-22News, with special thanks to Springfield Symphony Hall.
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Bright Nights Experience
For many, the drive through Bright Nights at Forest Park has been their holiday tradition since 1995. As Bright Nights has grown, many have added a stop at Santa’s Magical Forest as a part of their Bright Nights Experience.
This year, in addition to the new displays, gifts, souvenirs, snacks, and the magical carousel, there are many activities. Santa will make appearances Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30pm to 8pm through December 23rd. Face painters will be there December 12th and 19th. The Snow Queen and the Frost Princess will bring their royalty to the park on December 14th from 5:30pm to 8pm. Minnechaug Regional High School Choir will perform on December 8th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
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Bright Nights to Honor Heroes
Due to high-wind warnings, Bright Nights Military & First Responders Night has been rescheduled from November 30th to tonight, December 7th. Emergency first responders, active and retired members of the military and their families will be greeted at the entrance by their colleagues in law enforcement, fire safety, emergency medical services, and the armed forces.
Reservations and tickets are not required for those receiving free admission.
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Yankee Candles for Bright Nights
Yankee Candle has partnered with Bright Nights at Forest Park to create three new limited edition candles that are now available in the Bright Nights Gift Shop. The 22 ounce jars feature Seuss Land with a North Pole scented candle, the Everett Barney Mansion with Frosty Gingerbread, and Happy Holidays, Springfield display with Balsam Cedar. The candles make great gifts and a souvenir that will burn brightly through the season.
These are just some of the great items in the gift shop. There are Bright Nights shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, cooler bags, and more. There are handmade gifts, fresh chocolate from Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe, and the Bright Nights children’s book including the newest on about Geffy the Giraffe. Each of the books has a matching plush toy.
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Bright Nights 5K Road Race
With the bang of the starter pistol, more than 500 runners were off in a flash at the Bright Nights 5K Road Race. One runner was even back in a flash! Jacob Leblanc from Enfield, Connecticut ran the hilly course in 17 minutes and 10 seconds. The first female to finish was Jennifer Alli from Southampton, Massachusetts.
Others preferred to take the course a little slower and take in the grandeur of the displays. They dressed in festive attire and celebrated their accomplishment with a delicious soup supper.
The Bright Nights 5K Road Race was sponsored by Colvestro, Siemens, Health New England, Dunkin’, Freedom Credit Union, and M&T Bank. Light towers were provided by the Springfield Police and Fire Departments, Springfield Water & Sewer Commission, and Sunbelt Rentals. Special thanks to the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management.
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Update on Max Stasiuk
At the City of Bright Nights Ball, the live auction included a piece of original art created by Max Stasiuk, the Ukrainian artist who illustrated “Little Frog and the Bright Lights” and “Geffy Giraffe Looks for a Friend.”
We received a touching email response from Max when he collected the funds:
Today we have received the Western Union.
You can't imagine how it will help us to decide the problem with the light and electricity. Nowadays, this problem is very urgent, and all country is in crises with the power and Internet.
During this month we have tried to solve this problem, but now such kind of things are very expensive and, moreover, you can't find anything right now because of the deficit.
We can't decide what to do with the Internet connection, because when our town without the electricity, the Internet and connection don't work as well. We thought about the Starlink, but from the 1st of December it will cost a lot of money. So, we need to think about it later. The first and very urgent problem is electricity, we need to organize the power in our house to warm it and to have water.
Now your support is so valuable. Our family really grateful for your care.
Sincerely, Max
Proceeds from the sale of “Little Frog and the Bright Lights” will continue to be sent to Max and his family. The book is available at the Bright Nights Gift Shop and online at spiritofspringfield.org.
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Bright Nights Opening Ceremony
Sounds of the Season
FREE CONCERT
Bright Nights Experience
Bright Nights to Honor Heroes
Yankee Candles
for Bright Nights
Bright Nights
5K Road Race
Update on Max Stasiuk
Guest Column
Dr. Robert Roose
Mercy Medical Center
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Robert Roose
M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Administrative Officer
Mercy Medical Center
It's hard to believe that we are just a few weeks away from the start of the holiday season — a time of year made more festive by the efforts of the Spirit of Springfield.
On Sunday, December 11, Mercy Medical Center will sponsor the annual holiday concert by 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard at Symphony Hall in Springfield.
For many families, this holiday concert is much more than a fun and relaxing tradition; it also provides a respite from the many obligations and commitments at this time of year. For the Spirit of Springfield, this concert provides another opportunity to promote the city through an extraordinary, family-friendly event.
Mercy Medical Center is proud to partner with the Spirit of Springfield in support of events such as these that renew a sense of community and bring enjoyment to so many people.
May your holidays be filled with peace, hope and joy. All of us at Mercy Medical Center wish you a New Year filled with health and happiness.
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2022
November 23rd to January 1st
Closed November 28th - 29th
Forest Park
Wednesday, December 7th
Forest Park
Sunday, December 11 2pm
Springfield Symphony Hall
Sponsored by Mercy Medical Center
December 11th
Barney Carriage House
Forest Park
Tuesdays, December 13th
5pm - 9pm
Forest Park
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