Donors, volunteers, entertainers, and supporters have been raising their spatulas to show their support for the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. Golfers have been signing up for the June 7th tournament at Franconia Golf Course. Golden Circle Sponsors have also been lining up to show their support for the City of Bright Nights Ball. In addition to sponsoring the pancake party, MGM Springfield will sponsor this month’s free military concert in Springfield Symphony Hall.
On a personal note, I wish Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director of the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, and my partner in Bright Nights at Forest Park, well as he has eases into retirement. We have been side by side to insure Bright Nights’ success and make it a holiday tradition.
-- Judy Matt
President
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Strike Up the Army Field Band!
The Spirit of Springfield has a practice of hosting at least one free military concert each year. This year, there will be two! In just a few weeks, the U. S. Army Field Band and the Soldiers’ Chorus will bring their musical talents to Springfield Symphony Hall.
The free concert, sponsored by MGM Springfield, will be held Saturday, April 20th at 3pm with the support of more than 100 soldiers in the band, chorus, and behind the scenes. They will perform “We’ll Meet Again,” “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” Neil Diamond’s “America,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the traditional “Armed Forces Salute,” and more under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Domingos Robinson and Major Richard Winkels.
Tickets will be available on April 8th at Pride Stores, the Springfield Visitor’s Center at 1319 Main Street, One Financial Plaza Security Desk at 1350 Main Street, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Spirit of Springfield at 1350 Main Street, Suite 1004, Springfield, MA 01103.
In addition to MGM Springfield, the concert is supported by Comcast, MassLive, Mercy Medical Center, Rock 102, The Republican, and Western Mass News.
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Golf Classic Mayor's Cup
Before the golfers tee off, three mayors will go putt for putt for bragging rights and the Spirit of Springfield Mayor’s Cup, sponsored by Charlie Arment Trucking.
David Cuoco, Franconia Golf Course Manager, will layout the putting green. The mayors will go flag to flag, and hole to hole. This will be Agawam Mayor Chris Johnson’s first attempt to take home the trophy that his predecessor, Mayor William Sappelli, took home in 2018, 2021, and 2023.
Mayor Johnson will compete against Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt.
To participate or sponsor the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic, visit spiritofspringfield.org. It is a fun day on the course in support of “The Spirit.”
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World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Menu
The menu for the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is complete, with a side of bacon from Smithfield Foods. Sponsored by MGM Springfield, the annual pancake party will have all it needs for a hot, hearty, birthday breakfast on Saturday, May 18th.
Performance Food Service is donating the syrup and pancake mix that the Springfield Business Improvement District will deliver to Mercy Medical Center for them to hand whisk. It will then be loaded onto Quality Beverage’s refrigerator truck by a team from Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, and delivered to Main Street. Cabot Creamery is shipping over 200 pounds of butter pads to top the hotcakes.
The 1,000 pounds of Smithfield Foods bacon will be cooked by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, delivered by the Springfield Department of Public Works to MGM Springfield which will warm it in the foil pans donated by Mansfield Paper.
While the Sheraton Springfield is brewing hundreds of gallons of coffee, H. P. Hood will deliver hundreds of gallons of milk, juice, and cream for the coffee to the middle of Main Street. It will be kept cool on trucks provided by Performance Food Service and Sodexo Home Grown Springfield.
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Pancake Breakfast Wants You!
The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a great place to showcase products, services, and talents. Businesses and community service organizations can meet thousands, distribute brochures, hand out branded swag, and be a part of family friendly community event.
Talented tots, teens, and adults can join the Sci-Tech Band, Libertas Charter School Academy, Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School, and Master Lee's Taekwondo & Afterschool Program on one of stages, or stroll Main Street alongside Boomer from the Springfield Thunderbirds.
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Golden Circle Sponsors
The City of Bright Nights Ball is Springfield’s social event of the year with glitz, glamour, elegance, and style. It also supports the Spirit of Springfield’s mission to bring the community together in celebration.
It will be held on Saturday, November 9th at MGM Springfield with the support of many Golden Circle Sponsors. Commitments have already been made by American Medical Response, Baystate Health, Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, Health New England, MassMutual, Mercy Medical Center, MGM Springfield, Monson Savings Bank, PeoplesBank, The Colvest Group, and Westfield State University, and Western New England University as the sponsor of the Chairman’s Reception.
As always, it will be a night to remember! Get your company’s name on the invitation and a table at the gala by emailing amy@spiritofspringfield.org for more information.
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Vendors Wanted
The Spirit of Springfield is looking for a food vendor or two to join Batch Ice Cream and Elegant Affairs in Riverfront Park for a Star Spangled Springfield on Thursday, July 4th. Interested vendors will need to be onsite and ready to serve no later than 4pm, operate from 5pm to 9:30pm, be able to serve quickly and efficiently since lines can be long, and not compete with other vendors.
This is a great opportunity for a food truck or trailer. Power will be available on a limited basis. Water is not available.
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Thank You MGM Springfield!
MGM Springfield has been supporting the Spirit of Springfield and many of its activities since 2013.
The tradition continues in 2024. They will be sponsoring the concert by the U. S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, a reception for sponsors at Star Spangled Springfield, City of Bright Nights Ball as a Golden Circle Sponsor, and the MGM Lions at Bright Nights at Forest Park.
Their commitment to the Spirit of Springfield and the community is steadfast.
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Best Wishes to Patrick Sullivan
For 37 years, Patrick Sullivan has served the City of Springfield, starting as a park planner and working his way from Superintendent of the Springfield Park Department to the Executive Director for the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management. Or as Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno prefers to call him, the Wizard of Oz, for his knowledge, tenacity, and ability to accomplish so much with so little or in dire circumstances.
The Spirit of Springfield has worked closely with Patrick from the early years with movies in the park to creating and nurturing Bright Nights at Forest Park to become the Northeast’s premier holiday lighting experience.
On behalf of the Spirit of Springfield team and board, we wish him well!
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Strike Up the
Army Field Band!
Golf Classic Mayor's Cup
World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Menu
Pancake Breakfast
Wants You!
Golden Circle Sponsors
Vendors Wanted
Thank You
MGM Springfield!
Best Wishes to
Patrick Sullivan
Guest Column
Patrick J. Sullivan
City of Springfield (Retired)
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Patrick J. Sullivan
Executive Director,
Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management (retired)
Reflecting on my 37-year journey serving as the Executive Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management for the City of Springfield fills me with immense gratitude and pride. Throughout this remarkable tenure, I've had the privilege of collaborating with seven mayors, Springfield Park Commissioners, the Springfield City Council, City Departments, Springfield Business Community, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, the Western Mass delegation, various Boards and Commissions, and the 17 Neighborhood Councils. Together, we've embarked on a transformative path, catalyzing over $400 million in park improvements and a staggering $1 billion in school enhancements.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of these decades of service has been the partnerships forged with organizations like the Spirit of Springfield. Working closely with its President, Judith Matt, has been more than a professional collaboration; it has blossomed into a cherished friendship. The synergy between our endeavors, notably the renowned Bright Nights at Forest Park, exemplifies the power of collective action in enriching our community's fabric.
Beyond the tangible achievements and infrastructural advancements, what truly resonates with me is the human connection cultivated over the years. Witnessing the positive impact of our efforts on the lives of Springfield's residents has been immensely fulfilling. Every park revitalized, every school refurbished, has contributed to the collective well-being and prosperity of our beloved city.
Moreover, this journey has been enriched by the unwavering support of my family. My wife Nancy and our four children, Meghan, Bob, Marykate and Molly, have been pillars of strength and understanding throughout the highs and lows of public service. The bonds forged with colleagues, community members, and organizations transcend mere professional affiliations; they embody the essence of a shared commitment to the betterment of Springfield.
As I step into the next phase of my journey, I do so with great enthusiasm and optimism. Continuing to assist Mayor Domenic Sarno in shaping the future of our city fills me with anticipation. Together, with our collective resolve and vision, I am eager to witness the continued growth and prosperity of Springfield. Grateful for the past, I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, confident in the resilience and spirit of our great city.
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2024
Saturday, April 20th
3pm
Symphony Hall
Sponsored by MGM Springfield
Saturday, May 18th
8am to 11am
Main Street
Sponsored by MGM Springfield
Friday, June 7th
9:30am Mayor's Cup
10am Shotgun Start
Franconia Golf Course
Thursday, July 4th
6pm - 10pm
9:30pm - Fireworks
Riverfront Park
Sponsored by MassMutual
Wednesday, September 11th
10am
Riverfront Park
Saturday, November 9th
6:30pm - 12midnight
MGM Springfield
November 26th - January 5th
Closed December 2nd & 3rd
Monday, December 2nd
Rain Date: December 3rd
Check-In 5pm - 6:30pm
Start 6:30pm
Wednesday, December 4th
5pm to 9pm
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