More December News from the Spirit of Springfield

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

When I took my first drive through Bright Nights at Forest Park in 1995, I was in awe. I had seen glimpses, and every drawing of every display, but nothing was like seeing it come to light. The displays were bigger and brighter than I had imagined.

I hope you agree, and are enjoying the new displays in Santa’s Magical Forest, and the new and improved Blizzard Tunnel. These are both funded in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

On behalf of the Spirit of Springfield and the Bright Nights team, we wish you the happiest holiday season!

-- Judy Matt

President

Bright Nights at Forest Park's 28th Season

Bright Nights a Forest Park is celebrating its 28^th season with more lights, more activities, and more fun. Visitors have been coming from near and far to take the three mile drive through the more than 675,000 lights. Some have traveled from as far away as Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Washington DC, South Beloit, Illinois, Meredith, New Hampshire, and so many other places throughout New England, New York, and beyond.

They are all greeted by an enthusiastic team at the Poinsettia Fantasy entrance. Tickets are quickly scanned, and the tour begins. The American Flag with fireworks, sponsored by Big Y World Class Markets, is a patriotic welcome to all. Never, Never Land display is next, followed by the Spirit of the Season with the Nativity, sponsored by Mercy Medical Center, Menorah, and Kwanzaa displays.

From there, visitors travel by and through the icy Winter Garden, sponsored by MassMutual, the Springfield Thunderbirds display, MGM Springfield display, and then on to Seuss Land, sponsored by Health New England.

Santa’s Magical Forest is next on the tour where cars enter the parking lot on the left. Santa has been there, and will be back tonight, Tuesday, December 20th, and Friday, December 23^rd. There is a carousel, a gift shop packed with souvenirs, gifts, crafts, and fresh chocolate, and a concession stand, and more.

To see what is beyond Santa’s Magical Forest, visit brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Gift Shop

The gift shop at Bright Nights at Forest Park is filled with Bright Nights merchandise including hats, scarves, blankets, mugs, and more. These make great holiday gifts for Bright Nights fans, and souvenirs to remember the experience.

For new readers, there are now four Bright Nights stories. Each comes with a plush toy. There is a reindeer, dinosaur, frog, and the newest addition, Geffy the Giraffe.

The cozy shop, which is in Santa's Magical Forest, is also stocked with handmade crafts, fresh made chocolate, Yankee Candles, and more.

Bright Nights Military & Emergency First Responders Night

When high winds closed Bright Nights at Forest Park on November 30^th, Military and Emergency First Responders Night was moved to December 7^th. The response was tremendous!

Leadership from Westover Air Force Reserve Base, Massachusetts National Guard, Massachusetts State Police, Springfield Police and Fire Departments, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, American Medical Response, and the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee were there to greet them. The students from Springfield Honors Academy won the prize for most enthusiastic as they cheered as each family passed by them.

Thank you to those that serve our community to protect our freedoms and keep us safe.

See more photos.

215th Army Band Holiday Concert

Springfield’s Symphony Hall is known for its impeccable acoustics, and the 215^th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard is known for their outstanding performances. Combined, the two make for an outstanding afternoon of holiday music.

On Sunday, December 11^th, Springfield Symphony Hall was filled with the sounds of the 215^th Army Band, sponsored by Mercy Medical Center. Guests received greetings from Massachusetts National Guard Adjutant General Gary Keefe, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Mercy Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Robert Roose, and Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt.

During the concert, retiring Staff Sergeant Michael Moran was honored for his more than 40 years of service to the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

See more photos of the performance.

Big Y's Trips to Bright Nights

To thank them for selling tickets to Bright Nights at Forest Park and their hard work all year, Big Y World Class Market employees from South Hadley, Massachusetts, and Stratford, Connecticut, were treated to a trip to Bright Nights.

They drove home singing holiday carols! 🎶

Service Above Self Award

Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt was recently honored by the Rotary Club of Springfield at their annual Service Above Self Awards Luncheon at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“Judy Matt embodies the ‘Spirit of Springfield.’ She is the biggest cheerleader and works tremendously hard to highlight all the good things that we have here in our community,” said U. S. Congressman Richard Neal, Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means. “Her fingerprints are everywhere – from the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast to the award-winning Bright Nights at Forest Park. Judy’s impact is unmistakable.”

Judy shared the spotlight with national honoree Shane Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of The V Foundation, and Paul Harris Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Jack Tonor of Sumner & Toner Insurance.

In this Issue

Bright Nights 28th Season

Bright Nights Gift Shop

Bright Nights Military & Emergency First Responders Night

215th Army Band

Holiday Concert

Big Y's Trip to

Bright Nights

Service Above Self Award

Guest Column

John Sjoberg

Spirit of Springfield Chair

Guest Column

John Sjoberg, Chair

Spirit of Springfield

President, New England Business Machine

As another successful season at the Spirit of Springfield winds down, we reflect on the incredible support we have received from our community partners. Sponsors, elected officials, city workers, volunteers and friends all understood and embraced our theme of 2022... “All you need is love” and now we hope that all understand our year end theme and our heartfelt message of “Gratitude.”

Each year, your caring support and involvement transforms a city into a community, and reminds us of how fortunate we are to live, work and play in such a special place. 2022 will also be remembered for the year we spread our love beyond our city to war- torn Ukraine and our friends, the Stasiuk family.

We do not know what 2023 will hold in store for any of us, but we do know that whatever comes our way; we will be here, with you, to bring our community together and celebrate our great city, by creating cherished memories for families, and friends while also helping those in need of our love. As Chairman, I am also grateful for the amazing and dedicated staff of the Spirit of Springfield, led by its president Judy Matt.

From our family to yours, have a blessed holiday season and a healthy and safe new year filled with bright days and bright nights.