October News from the Spirit of Springfield

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

Planning and preparation continue to be the theme at the Spirit of Springfield. We have been discussing the City of Bright Nights Ball décor in detail. We are putting together a season full of activities at Bright Nights at Forest Park that will enhance the holiday drive. This includes the return of horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides, a firepit for s’mores, photos with Santa, and special appearances by the Grinch’s granddaughter, Snow Princesses, and Elf on the Shelf.

To help support the festivities in Santa’s Magical Forest, join us on October 18th from 5:30pm to 8pm for Suds for Santa hosted by the White Lion Brewery at Tower Square.

-- Judy Matt

President

Suds for Santa

Santa’s Magical Forest in Bright Nights at Forest Park has grown into a hotspot for activity, and it continues to grow with a bigger carousel, Santa in residency nightly through Christmas eve, and a host of other activities.

To help underwrite the costs, White Lion Brewing is hosting Suds for Santa on Wednesday, October 18th from 5:30pm to 8pm in their Tower Square location. Celebrity bartenders have been recruited to pour the pints. They include Springfield Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi, Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, Colonel David Halasi-Kun from the 104th Fighter Wing, Western New England College President Robert Johnson, MGM Springfield President Chris Kelley, Springfield Thunderbirds President Nate Costa, Patrick Leonardo from American Medical Response, Will Arment from Charlie Arment Trucking, Kelly McGiverin from Nexstar, as well as Chris Zito from Mix 93.1, and Rock 102’s Bax and Nagle.

There will be gift sets of beer for sale, giveaways, and a special appearance by Santa!

Wagon & Carriage Rides Return to Bright Nights at Forest Park

Bright Nights at Forest Park’s 29th season marks the return of horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides. Horse and Carriage Rides of Central Massachusetts will be bringing their gentle draft horses to the park to take passengers on a unique experience.

The open-air wagon and carriages will carry passengers from Santa’s Magical Forest on a tour that includes Seuss Land, Garden of Peace, Jurassic World, as well as several other displays.

Families can climb aboard the wagon that holds 10 to12 people. For a more intimate ride, arrangements can be made for the carriage which holds up to four passengers. Reservations for the wagon and carriage are $250 and include at least one car admission to Bright Nights at Forest Park.

For dates, times, and reservations for this enchanting experience, visit brightnights.org.

Santa's Magical Forest at Bright Nights

Along the three-mile drive through the more than 700,000 lights is Santa’s Magical Forest. Visitors can stop for a selfie, snacks, souvenirs, and Santa. There will be a grand carousel, and special appearances and activities throughout the season.

There will be a firepit to roast s’mores, and freshly popped kettle corn. Photo packages with Santa, start at just $12, and there will be special guests including the Snow Queen, Frost Princess, the Grinch’s Granddaughter, and Elf on the Shelf.

It is a great way to extend the Bright Nights experience and bring home a souvenir and more memories. For a list of all of the activities, visit brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Tickets

One ticket to Bright Nights at Forest Park is a priceless holiday memory, and they can transport a car full of holiday revelers to a magical place where deer leap over cars. The toys are larger-than-life. The Cat in the Hat is always waving, and Santa is flying high above Springfield’s Municipal Group.

Bright Nights at Forest Park tickets will be available later this month at brightnights.org. Watch your email for the announcement. Big Y World Class Markets will have discounted tickets available in all of their stores starting November 9th.

Group tickets, with a minimum order of 25 tickets, are just $18 each. They are great for gifts, employees, family, and friends. Order can be made online at brightnights.org.

Bright Nights Season Passes are also available for a limited time only.

City of Bright Nights Ball Silent Auction

The City of Bright Nights Ball, sponsored by Western New England University, has reached capacity with 500 guests. Support for the November 11th gala at MGM Springfield can still be done by donating or bidding on great silent auction items. There are trips to Antigua with as many as three rooms, a two night stay in Burlington, Vermont, tickets for the Boston Red Sox, WooSox, and Penatonix, beautiful crystal purses, and so much more.

New items are being added as they arrive. To add an item to the auction, contact amy@spiritofspringfield.org.

To browse and bid, visit https://qtego.us/qlink/spiritofspringfield

Bright Nights 5K Sold Out

In less than day, all 500 bib numbers for 2023 Bright Nights 5K Road Race were reserved. On Monday, September 18th, 175 registrations were completed in 15 minutes. The first to register was from Plainfield, Massachusetts, and the last runner to register was from Palmer, Massachusetts. The youngest were 14, the minimum race day age. The oldest was 87.

This year’s run is sponsored by Covestro, Health New England, M&T Bank, Siemens, Freedom Credit Union, and Dunkin.

Springfield Remembered September 11th

On the 22nd anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001, Springfield held its annual remembrance ceremony in front of the city’s monument to the first responders who lost their lives that day.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno gave greetings. Remembrances were given by Major General Gary Keefe, The Adjutant General for the Massachusetts National Guard, Commissioner B. J. Calvi, Springfield Fire Department, Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, Springfield Police Department, and Kimberly D’Angelo, Operations Director for American Medical Response.

During the ceremonial part of the program, emergency vehicles sounded their sirens as they came across the Memorial Bridge. It was followed by the tolling of the fire bell by the Springfield Fire Department, and a rifle salute by the Springfield Police Department.

The Spirit of Springfield was honored to present the September 11th observance with the Springfield Fire and Police Departments.

Springfield Park Department to Celebrate 140 Years

The Spirit of Springfield has been collaborating with the Springfield Park Department on Bright Nights at Forest Park for 29 years. This partnership began 111 years after the department's founding in 1983.

To celebrate the Springfield Park Department's 140th anniversary, festivities will begin on Thursday, October 14th and continue through Saturday, October 16th. There will be a night to gaze under the stars, a concert by Dee Reilly, and senior lunch. On Saturday, there will be a magic show, arts and crafts, face painting, a fire truck display by the Springfield Fire Department. Children 12 and under will be allowed free admission to the Forest Park Zoo between 12:00 pm and 2:00 p.m. Plans will also be unveiled announcing updates on the new Horticulture Center and securing federal grants. It will be a great weekend to celebrate Springfield Parks

For more information, contact the Springfield Park Department at 413-787-6435 or 413-787-6434, or visit www.springfield-ma.gov/park.

In this Issue

Suds for Santa

Wagon & Carriage Rides Return to Bright Nights

Santa's Magical Forest

at Bright Nights

Bright Nights Tickets

City of Bright Nights Ball Silent Auction

Bright Nights 5K Sold Out

Springfield Remembered September 11th

Springfield Park Department to Celebrate 140 Years

Guest Column

Dr. Robert E. Johnson

Western New

England University

Supper with Santa

Guest Column

Dr. Robert E. Johnson

President, Western New England University

As the President of Western New England University, I am profoundly honored to serve as this year’s Chair of the Spirit of Springfield's City of Bright Nights Ball, an event WNE is elated to sponsor. Since our foundation in 1919, our institution, with more than 45,000 alumni, has stood proudly in Springfield. We believe in being more than just present in our community - we aim to have a strong, impactful presence.

Education and civil society are threads woven into the fabric of any thriving community. For WNE, Springfield isn't just where we are; it's who we are. Our commitment to supporting the local community and forging meaningful collaborations runs deep. The Spirit of Springfield, with its long-held mission of enriching lives and fostering civic pride, resonates with our core values. This partnership is a harmonious union, bound by a shared vision for the place we proudly call home.

This year's theme, "Gilded Glamour," is more than a nod to ornate elegance. It beckons us to recognize the untapped brilliance within each individual. Education is the key that unlocks this potential. Together, let us commit to nurturing the golden possibilities in all, shaping a radiant future for the City of Springfield.