Let the festivities begin! In less than two weeks, we will host the City of Bright Nights Ball. In three weeks, we will open the 28th season of Bright Nights at Forest Park. It will be followed by the Bright Nights 5K Road Race, Military and Emergency First Responders Nights, $10 Tuesdays, and a host of activities at Santa’s Magical Forest in Bright Nights.
That is just what we have planned for November!
-- Judy Matt
President
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Bright Nights 28th Season
The 28th season of Bright Nights at Forest Park will open brighter than ever on Wednesday, November 23rd. Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, there will be new light displays to dress the front of the gift shop, a sweet shop display, as well as giant lollipops and candy canes. The blizzard tunnel in North Pole Village will also be new and improved.
“This is just the beginning,” said Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt. “We have designs for more displays to be added in the future. Santa’s Forest in Bright Nights will be a destination for everyone visiting Bright Nights.”
In addition to the gift shop, Santa’s Magical Forest includes a concession stand, carousel rides, and plenty of opportunities for photos. Santa will be strolling around Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through December 23rd.
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City of Bright Nights Ball Sells Out
The 2022 City of Bright Nights Ball has sold out! That means there will be more than 500 guests attending the November 12th gala sponsored by American Medical Response. They will enjoy a gourmet dinner, dancing to Grove Authority, and the aroma of thousands of red roses.
There will also be live and silent auctions. Bidders do not have to be in attendance to participate in the silent auction which includes Boston Red Sox tickets, restaurant gift cards, purses adorned in crystal, trips, tickets to shows and attractions, and more.
Live auction items include MGM Springfield’s luxury box for a 2023 Red Sox Home game with transportation by King Gray Coachlines, four second row orchestra center tickets to Hamilton donated by New England Business Machine (NEBM) with overnight accommodations compliment of Springfield Marriott Downtown, Chef Wayne dinner for six with all the fixings and flair, silver and gold, and more.
Register and browse for the great silent auction items today at Qtego Link. Bidding opens November 5th.
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Max's Auction Item
Max Stasiuk is a Ukrainian artist. He has illustrated two children’s books for the Spirit of Springfield. For the past year, the Spirit of Springfield has been raising money for Max, his family, and others that he has provided shelter to by giving 100% of the proceeds from Little Frog and the Bright Lights book that he illustrated. To-date, the Spirit of Springfield has sent him $11,000.
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During the City of Bright Nights Ball, there will be a piece of art created by Max during the live auction, and a piece created by his daughter, Nastya, sold at the silent auction. Max and his family will receive all the money raised by the sale of their art.
Max’s drawing is black and white, and his daughter’s is done with acrylic paint. She captioned it, “Love is the only light in the total darkness, even if you do not want to see or to hear anything. Only this light can help you, only this light can lead you, only this light can save you.”
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Bright Nights Season Pass
There are just a two weeks left to purchase a Bright Nights at Forest Park 2022 Season Pass. The pass can be used for admission to the three-mile drive at an unlimited amount. Thirty-eight nights for one low price!
The Bright Nights Season Pass also comes with a complimentary ticket for a friend and a coupon book full of savings at area restaurants, attractions, and more.
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President's Own U.S. Marine Band Concert
The President's Own U. S. Marine Band concert received rave reviews. The October 16th concert sponsored by Eastman-Indian Orchard featured uplifting and inspiring instrumentals.
The crowd gave them standing ovations, and many proud veterans, service men and women stood for "A Salute to the Armed Forces."
The Spirit of Springfield looks forward to welcoming them back to Springfield Symphony Hall when they tour the Northeast in 2027.
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Welcome Dr. Roose
The Spirit of Springfield is honored to welcome Dr. Robert Roose, to the Spirit of Springfield Board of Directors. He serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Springfield Market of Trinity Health Of New England, including Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.
Dr. Roose provides executive leadership, strategy execution, and operational direction for all activities in the market. Dr. Roose has been affiliated with Trinity Health’s regional health ministry since 2013, having also held the positions of Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Behavioral Health at Mercy Medical Center. In his role as Chief Medical Officer from 2019 to 2022, Dr. Roose led the health system through the COVID-19 pandemic.
At his first Spirit of Springfield Board Meeting, he sang “All You Need is Love” with his fellow board members for a video at the 2022 City of Bright Nights Ball.
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Congratulations Bill Vezina
Bright Nights at Forest Park has a new supervisor from the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management. It is Bill Vezina who has been in integral part of the team for many years.
Bill has been vital to the success of the event from installation, operations, dismantling, storage, and customer service. Bill even won a Howdy Award from the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau for helping a stranded motorist in the park.
The Spirit of Springfield has been partnering with the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management since Bright Nights’ inception in 1995.
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Remembering Dennis Leger
The Spirit of Springfield was introduced to Springfield Firefighter Dennis Leger as he assumed the role of public information officer under retired Springfield Fire Commissioner Gary Cassanelli. He went on to serve 20 years in the roll under the leadership of two more commissioners. He proved he was an asset to the department.
Dennis led Springfield’s September 11th Remembrance Ceremony from the beginning. He was instrumental in orchestrating the very first event and wanted to be sure it was dedicated to the memories of the first responders. He was also instrumental in the permanent installation of Springfield’s September 11th Monument in Riverfront Park. He always made sure there were flags on the stage for Star Spangled Springfield and that they lined the entrance to Forest Park for Bright Nights’ Military and Emergency First Responders Night.
He will be remembered as a man of honor, a dedicated firefighter, and a friend to the Spirit of Springfield.
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Bright Nights 28th Season
City of Bright Nights Ball Sells Out
Max's Auction Item
Bright Nights Season Pass
President's Own U.S. Marine Band
Welcome Dr. Roose
Congratulations
Bill Vezina
Remembering
Dennis Leger
Guest Column
Nathan Costa
Springfield Thunderbirds
Bright Nights
Supper with Santa
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Nathan Costa
President,
Springfield Thunderbirds
Excitement for hockey in downtown Springfield is palpable. As we reflect on the raising of our Eastern Conference championship banner on Opening Night, we are beyond grateful for our community. We would not have achieved this degree of success without the support of our partners and every one of our loyal fans.
The impact of our playoff run was evident everywhere you looked downtown, and the Spirit of Springfield added some Bright Nights flavor as our light display illuminated Court Square during the Calder Cup Finals. 11 extra home games meant 11 more nights where the restaurants and bars had a boom in business, and there was an overall buzz driving into the area that made everyone feel like they were part of something uniquely special.
The Spirit of Springfield shares in the Thunderbirds’ vision to shine a light on our wonderful city. After a very short offseason, and with restrictions lifting, we could not be more excited for what is to come in the future with Bright Nights on the horizon.
Bright Nights is perhaps the most fitting metaphor for the Spirit of Springfield’s economic impact on our city. The copious bright lights illuminate our area, attract people to our city, and elicit unforgettable memories for folks of all ages. The Thunderbirds are deeply proud to be a part of the Bright Nights display, and not just for this year, but for generations to follow. We wish the Spirit of Springfield nothing but the best as they embark on another special Bright Nights season!
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2022
Saturday, November 12
6:30pm to 11pm
MGM Springfield
Sponsored by American Medical Response
November 23rd to January 1st
Closed November 28th - 29th
Forest Park
November 23rd
5pm - 9pm
Forest Park
Monday, November 28th Rain Date: November 29th
Forest Park
Wednesday, November 30th
Forest Park
December 4th, 9th and 11th
Barney Carriage House
Forest Park
Tuesdays, December 6th & 13th
5pm - 9pm
Forest Park
Sunday, December 11 2pm
Springfield Symphony Hall
Sponsored by Mercy Medical Center
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