May News from the Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

April showers bring May flowers. We are anxious to see the colors of spring, from the green grass in Court Square to the lilac blooms at the Springfield Armory. We will, however, miss the smell of pancakes and bacon wafting through downtown Springfield at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast.

We have also officially announced that Springfield’s Independence Day festivities will not be held as planned. We are optimistic that pancakes will be served on Main Street and fireworks will be launched from the Memorial Bridge during 2021.

It is important for the mental well-being of residents in and around Springfield to come together as a community, renew relationships, and make new connections, and we will!

-- Judy Matt

President

Star Spangled Springfield Postponed

For the second year, Independence Day will not include fireworks or festivities in Riverfront Park. While restrictions are being reduced, limiting gatherings for events that are free and open to the public is not feasible.

“The health and well-being of our community is of utmost importance,” said Dennis Duquette, head of Community Responsibility, MassMutual, and president of the MassMutual Foundation. “We fully support this decision and look forward to celebrating with a terrific fireworks display when the time is right.”

The Spirit of Springfield will have to postpone the face painting, balloon artist, Falcetti Music and Maxxtone’s performance, and the pyrotechnic wizardry of Fireworks by Grucci to a later date.

Stay tuned for updates!

Pancake Power

Pancakes have the power of bringing the community together for the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. They bring families to the breakfast table. They are filled with blueberries, strawberries, and chocolate chips. They are topped with syrup, both maple and chocolate, whipped cream and so much more.

This year, serve pancakes on Saturday, May 15^th at your breakfast table in honor of Springfield’s birthday and the traditional flapjack feast.

Post a photo or video, and tag it #happybirthdayspringfield on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for a chance to win a Spirit of Springfield prize package.

Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

Foursomes are registering for the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic. Some have been coming back year after year to show their support for the Spirit of Springfield, watch area mayors compete for the Mayor’s Cup sponsored by Charlie Arment Trucking, socialize, network, and enjoy an easy day on the golf course.

WWLP-TV22 News, BusinessWest, Siemens, and John and Trish Hesslein have already reserved their foursomes, sponsored a tee, and are looking forward to a relaxing day at Franconia Golf Course on Friday, July 16^th. Northeast Merchant Services is showing their support with a tee sponsorship.

Registrations can be made online at s piritofspringfield.org, email nicole@spiritofspringfield.org, or call 413-733-3800.

Bright Nights Road Race

Mark your calendar. Set your alarm! Registration for the Bright Nights 5K Road Race will open Monday, September 13^th at 12am at brightnights.org. The nighttime race through the magnificent lighting displays will be held Monday, November 29^th, with a rain date of Tuesday, November 30^th.

There will be a total of 500 spots available. For the more than 100 people who participated in the 2020 Bright Nights 5K Virtual Run, they will be given the opportunity to register from August 30^th to September 4^th.

The registration fee is $65. It includes a souvenir long-sleeve shirt, post-race soup supper at the Bright Nights Storage Facility, and a Bright Nights Guest Pass. Runners must be at least 14 years old on race day.

For all the details, visit brightnights.org.

215th Army Band Returns for Holiday Concert

The 215^th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard will be returning to Springfield Symphony Hall after a one year hiatus. Tickets will be free and available at various locations.

The more than 40 members will bring their musical talents to the stage for a free concert on Sunday, December 5^th at 2pm. They will perform as small ensembles in various genres – jazz, country, rock, fife and drum. For the finale, they will perform as an orchestra.

Their song list will include holiday favorites, popular tunes, classical selections, and military tributes.

Watch for more details and ticket locations. Be sure to combine it with a visit to Bright Nights at Forest Park!

Bright Nights Receives MOTT Grant

The Spirit of Springfield has received a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to promote Bright Nights at Forest Park to the group tour industry. The funding is a part of the state agency’s My Local campaign.

Funds will be used to reach out to bus owners and group tour leaders to encourage travel to Bright Nights at Forest Park. E-mails targeted to these industries plus marketing efforts with the American Bus Association and collaborative efforts with the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau will be enacted.

Bright Nights is a catalyst for Springfield’s economy during the holiday season. It will increase with the growth in bus tour travel.

In this Issue

• Star Spangled Springfield Postponed

• Pancake Power

• Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

• Bright Nights 5K Road Race

• 215th Army Band Returns for Holiday Concert

• Bright Nights Receives MOTT Grant

• Guest Column -

Nathan Costa, Springfield Thunderbirds

• Golf Classic Registration

Guest Column

Nathan Costa, President

Springfield Thunderbirds

It seems like just yesterday when Judy called mto inform me of my selection as honorary chairman of the Spirit of Springfield’s annual World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. I was honored to be selected, as the event was a favorite of mine growing up in this city, and one that brings the very best out of Springfield. It has been two years since we last gathered and shared pancakes on Main Street, but with the Governor’s news that the state will reopen fully on August 1^st, we’re hopeful to host the breakfast in the fall and restart this much loved annual tradition.

The news about fully reopening is also tremendous news for our organization and Thunderbirds hockey fans. This past year has undoubtedly taken a toll on all of us, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. We’re ecstatic about getting back to what we do best, packing the Thunderdome (MassMutual Center) and putting on a first-class professional hockey experience. The 2021-22 season will begin on October 15^th, at long-last the team’s 5^th Anniversary season, and one where we will welcome a new NHL affiliate, the St. Louis Blues to Springfield. We’re thrilled to be able to welcome an organization that values developing their players in a winning environment, and we look forward to many successful years in Springfield together.

For those of you that are anxious to get out of the house and have some family-friendly entertainment this fall, Thunderbirds ticket packages for the 2021-22 AHL season are on-sale now. Whether you only come to a few games, or all of them, we have a package that’s right for you that will provide convenience and significant savings off the box office price. Our full season members receive some of the very best benefits in the AHL including an exclusive 5^th Anniversary designed jersey, discounted drink specials at every home game, and our Never a Wasted Ticket Program, which gives you the flexibility to miss a few games and redeem unused tickets for a future game. To lock in your seat for the action, call 739-GOAL or reach out to us via the LiveChat feature on our website at Springfieldthunderbirds.com.

To all of our fans, corporate partners and community groups – thank you for the continued support, we look forward to seeing you all at the rink soon!