March News from the Spirit of Springfield

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

Thank you to everyone that joined us at the Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast so we could thank all those that supported the 2023 season and some that have been supporting the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield Park Department’s efforts since Bright Nights’ founding in 1995.

Our Golf Committee is hard at work putting together a perfect tournament with a full field. We are collecting donations for the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, recruiting volunteers and entertainers, and giving area businesses and community service organizations the opportunity to promote their products and services at the annual pancake party.

-- Judy Matt

President

Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast

The ballroom at the Sheraton Springfield was filled with friends, partners, supporters, and sponsors for the Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast. The team from the Springfield Park Department took a few hours off from dismantling the displays to be applauded for their efforts. They were joined by other employees of the department who lend their assistance to the event whenever they are needed, from forestry to grounds and maintenance.

Honors were given to three people who have been supporting Bright Nights since its inception in 1995. They were Paul Picknelly, whose father, Peter Picknelly, Sr. signed the financial agreement to purchase the displays. Jay Griffin, a long-time member of the Springfield Park Commission, who encouraged his colleagues to approve the project, and Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director of the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management.

Watch the video that kicks off Bright Nights 30th season. It was created by Aiden McDonald from Visual Sound Productions, and see more photos.

2024 Bright Nights at Forest Park Appreciation Breakfast Video

Golf Classic Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic! It is a great day to support “The Spirit,” play golf and golf games, and enjoy colleagues and friends, and the Franconia Golf Course.

Several foursomes have already registered including the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Mayors from Springfield, Agawam, and West Springfield have thrown their hats in the ring to compete in a friendly putting contest.

Pancake Breakfast Entertainment

Show off your talents at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast! You will be entertaining thousands as they enjoy a hot hearty breakfast in the middle of Main Street on Saturday, May 18th.

The Sci-Tech High School Band will be bringing keyboards, drums, flutes, horns, and more for their talented musicians to perform. Libertas Academy Charter School drum line and dance team will also be performing.

If you are interested in scheduling a time at one of the two performance areas, contact nicole@spiritofspringfield.org.

Exhibitors Welcome at Pancake Breakfast

The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a great place for businesses and community service organizations to showcase their products and services to thousands of people. The investment is minimal when compared to the impact of the interaction with those attending the annual pancake party.

The fee is just $35 for community service organizations and starts at $500 for businesses. Giveaways are welcome to promote the company and the organization’s brand. All exhibitors are listed on spiritofspringfield.org’s pancake breakfast page.

Springfield School Volunteers, the Center for Social Justice, and Dunkin have already registered. Sign up today at spiritofspringfield.org.

Bright Nights Survey Results

To learn more about those that visited Bright Nights at Forest Park in 2023, a survey was sent to those that purchased their car admission ticket at brightnights.org. Close to 700 responses were received.

We learned 16% have been visiting Bright Nights at Forest Park since it came to light in 1995. For 14%, their visit in 2023 was their first. For 36%, a stop at Santa’s Magical Forest was part of their visit, and 33% are interested in stopping in the future. Responding to “How did you learn about Bright Nights at Forest Park?”, 69% said they have always known about it, and 22% said family or friend. A visit to a restaurant was enjoyed by 30%, and 34% were from out of the area traveling 31+ miles to enjoy the event.

These results are great to show the economic impact the holiday event has on the region.

Thank You MassMutual!

It was 215 years and one day after Springfield’s founding on 1636 that MassMutual opened in Springfield, Massachusetts. They have been an integral part of the community ever since.

They have also been one of the Spirit of Springfield’s strongest supporters. In 2024, the tradition will continue. They will be the lead sponsor for Star Spangled Springfield on July 4th, and will join others in their support of the City of Bright Nights Ball and Bright Nights at Forest Park’s 30th season.

In this Issue

Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast

Golf Registration

Now Open

Pancake Breakfast Entertainment

Exhibitors Welcome to

Pancake Breakfast

Bright Nights

Survey Results

Thank You

MassMutual

Guest Column

Bob Simone

WWLP-22News

Bright Night

Season Passes

Guest Column

Bob Simone

Vice President/General Manager, WWLP-22News

Why I love Golf – Even Though I don’t play Golf.

The annual Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic is approaching, on Friday, June 7^th.

I don’t play golf, however, when Judy asked me as a Board member to serve on the Golf Committee, it was counterintuitively the perfect fit – even though I don’t play, I love golf.

The Reasons?

It’s Outdoors on Beautiful Grounds

I can’t get my lawn to look like anything close to a golf course, and I only have ½ an acre.

Handicaps!

Only in golf can you take free shots to even the playing field against a better player.

Watching Southwest Pro Golf During the New England Winter is Cathartic

Hawaii and San Diego in January, Pebble Beach, Palm Beach, and Phoenix in February! (Blatant plug – 22News carries the PGA and our CW carries LIV Golf.)

The Old Bar Room Debate: Are Golfers’ Athletes?

Yes! Oh, chess players are athletes, too. I’ve been playing since I was a kid and quit 4 times because – well, I’m no Magnus Carlsen and it’s physically taxing.

And, if all these reasons aren’t enough to sell you to come to the SOS tournament, here’s one more:

The Mayor's Cup

At the SOS tournament, some of our local mayors face off in a putting contest and it’s very competitive. Last year, Mayor McCabe, Mayor Sarno, Mayor Reichelt, and Mayor Sapelli faced off in a real duel. Worth the price of admission!

See you there - I’ll be selling raffle tickets and mulligans with Kathy Tobin – bring your cash or credit card.