The snow has piled back up making it a little more challenging for the Springfield Park Department to dismantle and store the Bright Nights at Forest Park displays. We are optimistic the snow will quickly melt away because we have our sights set on warmer weather and the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast.
Plans are underway for the pancake party on May 14th. We are recruiting volunteers, exhibitors, and entertainment. We already have product coming in.
17 days until spring!
-- Judy Matt
President
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Team Bright Nights
Before most are thinking about the holidays, the team at the Springfield Park Department begin the arduous task of installing the hundreds of display pieces that illuminate the three-mile drive through Bright Nights at Forest Park. It then takes weeks after the holiday season to get them all safely packed away.
“Takedown is going a little slower than normal. We have been fighting the weather,” said Bill Vezina, Park Foreman. “But we are getting it done. The displays need to be dismantled in an orderly fashion so it is stored efficiently. The last thing you want in the fall is to be missing a piece from a display.”
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Bright Nights Visitors
It is estimated that Bright Nights at Forest Park has 200,000 visitors each season. They come from near and far to experience the 675,000 lights along the three-mile drive.
This year, we learned just how far people will travel. There was a ticket purchased from as far away as North Pole, Alaska. That is 4,348 miles away, a 71-hour drive by car. Others made the trek from New Salem, Massachusetts, Salem, Massachusetts, Salem, Connecticut, and Salem, New Hampshire. The highest number of visitors came from Springfield, MA, and there were some from Springfield, Vermont. Visitors traveled from 46 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
In addition to online tickets, many took advantage of the discounted tickets sold at Big Y World Class Markets. They included sales in West Hartford, Connecticut, West Peabody, Massachusetts, and West Springfield, Massachusetts.
If you purchased a ticket online, be sure to check your email for a Bright Nights survey that was sent last week. Those who complete the survey will be treated to a coupon for $7 off a full price admission ticket for Bright Nights 2022 season. The deadline is March 10th.
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World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Runs on Volunteers
It takes hundreds of volunteers to run the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 14th. Some, like those from Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, load and unload trucks, and make sure tents and tables are properly supplied.
There are those standing over hot grills. Those on the front line handing out the plates of pancakes, pouring the juice, and selling the tickets. Some will never be seen like the teams that cook the bacon, mix the batter, and brew the coffee.
They all do it for the same reason, for the love of their community.
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Exhibitors Welcome!
The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a unique marketing opportunity for businesses, community organizations, and even political candidates. It is a three hour period to meet thousands of people in a warm and friendly environment. It is an opportunity to make a lasting impression, and even send them home with a gift with your message or logo.
It all happens Saturday, May 14th from 8am to 11am. Exhibitors will need to arrive a little earlier, and if the attendance is overwhelming, exhibitors will be asked to stay a little later.
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Entertain Springfield!
The Spirit of Springfield is looking for entertainment for the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 14th. The stage is yours to sing, play an instrument, or dance. We will provide the sound amplification, the area to perform, and list you on the online entertainment schedule.
The performance fee will be paid with applause and appreciation from all who enjoy the performance.
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Thank You, Billy Tranghese!
Long before the Spirit of Springfield, there was the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs which is where Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt and Vice President Amy Burke first had the pleasure of working with Billy Tranghese during his years working for then-Mayor Richard Neal.
During his more than 30 years serving Western Massachusetts in the Mayor’s office or in Congressman Neal’s office in the Capitol, Billy was always just an email or phone call away. He was happy to help, quick to respond, and knowledgeable in so many areas.
The Spirit of Springfield sends it gratitude to Billy and wishes him well as he embarks on a new adventure with Platinum Advisors.
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Team Bright Nights
Bright Nights Visitors
World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Runs on Volunteers
Exhibitors Welcome!
Entertain Springfield!
Thank you,
Billy Tranghese
Guest Column
John Doleva
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Bright Nights
Loyalty Card
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John Doleva
President & CEO
Like the Spirit of Springfield, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is a unique institution that honors and celebrates the city of Springfield and helps differentiate our city on an international scale.
Did you know that just 130 years ago, in the Springfield neighborhood of what is now called ‘Mason Square’ that James Naismith designed, developed, and introduced the game of ‘basket ball’ (as he called it) to his students at the YMCA Training Academy at the Corner of State Street and Sherman Street? The world’s most popular game can be traced to a very specific place and time in Springfield’s history!
Today, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame stands as a proud beacon to honor the game’s inventor and the over 400 individuals and teams that have made this game great throughout its history. Our mission is to ‘Honor, Celebrate and Inspire’ through the presentation of a renovated and all-new museum experience—a $25 million investment!-- that hosts over 200,000 visitors each year from all over the world.
Our signature event, the annual Enshrinement Ceremonies in September bring the entire basketball world to Springfield to pay homage to the game’s founder and the city where the game was invented. The city is elevated to new heights on this special weekend and we are honored and thankful to share the planning and execution of this landmark event with the great staff and leadership of Judy and the entire group at The Spirit of Springfield!!
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2022
Saturday, May 14th
8am - 11am
Main Street
Friday, June 3rd
10am Shotgun Start
Franconia Golf Course
Monday, July 4th
6pm - 10pm
Riverfront Park
Friday, September 9th
10am
Riverfront Park
November 23rd to January 1st
Closed November 28th - 29th
Forest Park
Monday, November 28th Rain Date: November 29th
Forest Park
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