The Spirit of Springfield has had many accomplishments and milestones, from our first pancake breakfast in 1990, the opening of Bright Nights at Forest Park, and grand reopening of Union Station with U. S. Congressman Richard E. Neal and Kevin Kennedy.
My proudest moment was seeing the completion of Springfield's September 11th Monument in 2019. It is a beautiful tribute to the first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and the spirit of our great country.
On Friday at 1pm, we will gather in front of the monument to celebrate the heroes.
-- Judy Matt
President
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September 11th Remembrance Ceremony
Springfield will mark the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and celebrate the lives of those who were lost with a ceremony on Friday, September 9th, at 1pm in front of Springfield’s September 11th Monument in Riverfront Park.
The annual remembrance ceremony will honor the 498 first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and whose names are listed on Springfield’s monument. It will include greetings by Mayor Domenic Sarno, remembrances by Springfield Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi, Springfield Police Deputy Chief Rupert Daniel, Colonel David Halasi-Kun, Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, and Patrick Pickering, Regional Director for American Medical Response.
To start the ceremonial portion of the program, colors will be posted. Vanessa Ford will sing the National Anthem. Anthony Cignoli will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The fire bell will toll. Emergency apparatus will travel across the Memorial Bridge to Riverfront Park. A wreath will be laid, and the program will conclude with a rifle salute and the playing of taps.
NOTE: Springfield's September 11th Remembrance Ceremony was scheduled for 10am on Friday, September 9th. Out of respect and as a courtesy to Kevin Kennedy, his family, friends, and colleagues, the time has been changed to 1pm as not to conflict with his funeral services.
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Bright Nights 5K Registration
Springfield’s favorite race is back! The 5k run through the magical lighting displays is scheduled for Monday, November 28th, with a rain date of Tuesday, November 29th. The Bright 5K Road Race is open to the first 500 paid registrations for individuals 14 years or older.
Registration for the highly coveted spots will open on Monday, September 12th at 12am. Each runner will receive a souvenir shirt, post-race soup supper, and a pass to return to Bright Nights at Forest Park to enjoy the lights in the comfort of their car.
The holiday race is sponsored by Covestro with additional support from Freedom Credit Union and Siemens.
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The President's Own U. S. Marine Band
The President's Own U. S. Marine Band’s northeast tour will include a free performance in Springfield Symphony Hall. The Sunday, October 16th concert will be held at 3pm and will feature the world-class talents performing a diverse mix of programs, from traditional band repertoire and marches to instrumental solos.
Under the direction of Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the band will be performing concerts in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont in October.
Tickets will be available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Spirit of Springfield, 1350 Main Street, Suite 1004, Springfield, MA, or at the security desk at One Financial Plaza, 1350 Main Street, Springfield.
John Philip Sousa was the band’s 17th director, initiated the concert tour tradition in 1891, performed in Springfield on March 26, 1906.
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Bright Nights Offers Supper with Santa
Visitors can dine with Santa as a part of their Bright Nights at Forest Park experience. He will be at the Barney Carriage House in Forest Park on Sunday, December 4th, Friday, December 9th, and Sunday, December 11th. He will have a special gift for every child.
Seatings start at 5:30pm. The menu is scrumptious and kid-friendly with mac and cheese, chicken tenders, vegetarian lasagna, and Christmas cookies and brownies for dessert. Tickets are $25, $15 for children under 12, and free for toddlers under two years old.
Reservations are now being accepted online at brightnights.org or by calling the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800. It is a great way to treat the true believers with a magical experience that allows them to be up close to the big man in the red suit.
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Bright Nights Best of the Best
For a third year, Bright Nights at Forest Park has been recognized by the American Bus Association for being the “Best of the Best for 2022. According to the American Bus Association website, buses.org, “Best of the Best honors outstanding travel industry members who go above and beyond for the group tour industry. Categories include Adventure, Culture, Entertainment, Festivals & Events, Food & Beverage, Lodging, and Shopping.”
Prior to receiving the “Best of the Best” honors in 2022, 2021, and 2020, Bright Nights at Forest Park was recognized by the American Bus Association as one of the Top 100 Destinations in North America. It features more than 675,000 lights along a three-mile drive that winds its way through the historic park.
Admission for buses during the 2022 season is $175 for buses with seating capacity of 31 or more passengers, and $80 for vehicles with seating capacity of 17-30. Reservations can be made online at brightnights.org.
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Mattoon Street Arts Festival
Springfield will be bustling with activities on Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11, 2022. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will be hosting Enshrinement, and the Greek Cultural Center will be hosting Glendi.
The only place you will see Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt will be at the 49th annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival. She will be shopping amongst the 100 artisans, dining at Nosh's booth, enjoying sweet treats, and all the entertainment.
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Stone Soul Festival Award
The Spirit of Springfield and the Stone Soul Festival both started the same year, 1989. Both bring the community together in celebration.
When Judy Matt, Spirit of Springfield President, was presented the Community Award, it was only appropriate for her to recognize Jay Griffin, Stone Soul Founder and Springfield Park Commissioner, for his support for Bright Nights at Forest Park and the Spirit of Springfield. Judy presented him with a coveted Spirit of Springfield jacket.
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Remembering Kevin Kennedy
From his days in the Mayor’s Office to U.S. Congressman Richard Neal’s Office to keen negotiating skills, Kevin Kennedy was a man of honor.
The Spirit of Springfield was proud to work with him on numerous projects including the dedication of the State Street Corridor, the grand reopening of Springfield’s Union Station, and to be a part of history when MGM Springfield opened.
His wisdom, calm demeanor, and his dedication to Springfield will be missed.
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Welcome Olga to Our Team
The Spirit of Springfield has added a new member to our small but mighty team. Olga Krevchenko is a Springfield resident with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. She came to the United State from Ukraine at a young age, and is fluent in Russian. She has a retail and banking experience, and she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree. She has also added a beautiful German Shepherd, Axel, to the rest of the Spirit of Springfield canine family.
As Program Coordinator at the Spirit of Springfield, Olga will be working with volunteers, Bright Night’s consignment crafters, and coordinating various projects throughout the year.
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Thank You Paul!
Thank you, Paul Picknelly for helping to spread the word about the Spirit of Springfield.
The banner is hanging on the airwalk between the Sheraton Springfield and the I-91 South Parking Garage.
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September 11th Ceremony
Bright Nights 5K Registration
The President's Own
U. S. Marine Band
Bright Nights Offers Supper with Santa
Bright Nights
Best of the Best
Mattoon Street
Arts Festival
Stone Soul
Festival Award
Remembering
Kevin Kennedy
Welcome Olga to
Our Team
Thank You Paul!
Guest Column
Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, Springfield Police Department
Bright Nights Season Pass
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Superintendent
Cheryl Clapprood,
Springfield Police Department
September 11th ceremonies are here again and every year I come to the realization that there are less people who recall that tragic day and more of us that can only relate through pictures.
If not for the ceremonies, articles and photos being shared, the emotions and impact felt that day will be lost. It is important to those who gave their lives that day, both as first responders and innocent civilians, that we continue to honor their sacrifice. The emotions cannot be replicated but the reasons for them can be a reminder to us all. It is in remembering that we share with others the impact that day had on our lives.
It was so tragic and violent for us that many joined the military or local police and fire departments in honor of those who were killed or injured. Many others hung American flags outside their homes. Politicians actually gathered on the steps of Congress and sang God bless America.
As tragic and sorrowful as that day was it came with an aftermath of pride, conviction, and perseverance that I had not been a part of before. It joined us together as a country in a fight for our freedom and way of life.
I hope and pray it does not take another horrifying attack for us to feel the way we did on September 12th, that along with our pain and suffering, those who died did not die in vain, rather they should strengthen us as one nation under God.
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2022
Friday, September 9th
1pm - NEW TIME
Riverfront Park
The President's Own U. S. Marine Band Concert
Sunday, October 16
3pm
Springfield Symphony Hall
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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