December News from the Spirit of Springfield

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

It was an historic moment when I, along with my Bright Nights co-founder, Patrick Sullivan, turned on the lights at Bright Nights at Forest Park for the 30th year. The cheers were loud and many came from children who were born long after Bright Nights made its debut. This included Patrick’s two grandchildren, Maggie and Connor.

Bright Nights is multi-generational. It is for people of all ages. It inspires the holiday spirit, and makes lasting memories with the drive through the lights, a stop at Santa’s Magical Forest, Supper with Santa, Military/Emergency Responders Night, and so much more.

I encourage everyone to join us on Sunday, December 8th at 2pm in Springfield Symphony Hall for the free holiday concert by the 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Let’s celebrate the season!

-- Judy Matt

President

Bright Nights - 30 Years in the Making

It took the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management 30 years to get to the November 27th opening of Bright Nights at Forest Park. In the past, there were lighting ceremonies at the Giant Poinsettia Candles, in the icy Winter Garden, in a blizzard at the Springfield Thunderbirds display, and in front of MGM Springfield’s fierce lion.

The tradition of lighting the lights in Santa’s Magical Forest continued this year. The speakers included Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Spirit of Springfield Chair John Sjoberg, and Vice Chair Kathy Tobin, and Santa. It was, however, Tom Ashe in his new role as the Executive Director of the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management, who made his first appearance at the ceremony.

After the lights came on, guests jumped on the carousel and teacup ride. They headed to Santa’s shed for a one-on-one visit and a photo. They browsed the gift shop and grabbed a snack from the concession stand.

Before you head to Bright Nights, purchase your tickets in advance at brightnights.org or at Big Y, Your Family Market.

FREE 215th Army Band Holiday Concert

The sounds of the holiday and patriotism will fill Springfield Symphony Hall on Sunday, December 8th. The 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard will perform a free concert at 2pm. The annual holiday concert is sponsored by Mercy Medical Center.

The 35-member musical ensemble will perform in small groups, and as a concert band. The selections will include Bugler’s Holiday, Cape Horn, Overture To The Muppet Christmas Carol, Christmas and Sousa Forever, Christmas Festival, Armed Forces Medley, America the Beautiful, Sleigh Ride, and more.

Free tickets for the concert are available at Pride Convenience Stores, One Financial Plaza (1350 Main Street, Springfield) lobby security desk, and at the Springfield Visitors Center at 1319 Main Street during regular business hours.

In addition to Mercy Medical Center, the concert is made possible with the support of Pride Convenience Stores, The Republican, Rock102, Sheraton Springfield, Marriott Springfield Downtown, and WWLP-22News, with special thanks to Springfield Symphony Hall.

For more information about the free concert, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

Santa's Magical Forest

Santa’s Magical Forest at Bright Nights at Forest Park is a winter wonderland of activities. Every night, guests can take a spin on the carousel and the teacup ride. They can grab a sumptuous snack from the concessions stands, purchase a souvenir or holiday gift, have their photo taken with Santa, and take a selfie amongst the twinkling lights.

On many nights, there are special activities to enhance the holiday experience. There are free face painters, appearances by the Snow Queen and Frost Princess, choral concerts, and the Zoo at Forest Park is hosting holiday activities on December 11th and 18th.

There are still a few reservations available for horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides, and Supper with Santa at the Barney Carriage House.

To learn more, visit brightnights.org.

Bright Nights $10 Tuesday

To encourage weeknight attendance and offer a deep discount, Bright Nights at Forest Park will welcome visitors for just $10 per car on Tuesday, December 10th and Tuesday, December 17th.

On December 10th, visitors will be treated to a performance by the Lutheran Middle School Choir in Santa’s Magical Forest from 6pm to 7pm.

$10 Tuesday admission tickets must be purchased at brightnights.org.

Bright Nights 5K Road Race

It was a cold and crisp night for the Bright Nights 5K Road Race. The runners were quick to warm up as they took the jolly jaunt from the Seuss Land Arch to the Giant Poinsettia Candles and back. There were not too many complaints about the hills, and there were lots of compliments for the post-race soup supper.

The first to cross the finish line were Gregory Keane in the male category and Mia McDonald in the female category. Spirit of Springfield Director Dr. Robert Roose was 16th to finish in 22 minutes and 21 seconds.

Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who crossed the finish line. For a complete list of the race results, visit brightnights.org.

See more pictures of the creative costumes and photos finishes online.

Military & Emergency Responders Night

The line was long. The smiles were big, and the greeting guests received on Wednesday, December 4th were warm and welcoming as Bright Nights at Forest Park hosted Military and Emergency Responders Night.

Members of the military, active and retired, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMT’s, and their families, were greeted by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, Colonel David Halasi-Kun, Wing Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Colonel Gregory Buchanan, Commander of the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base, along with CMSGT Barbara Gilmore and Colonel Amy Tullis. They were joined by Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Evan Breeding, Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers, Springfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael Hess, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi with the department’s Honor Guard and Mounted Patrol, and Joe Decaro, Director of the Springfield Department of Veterans’ Services, with colleague’s from his department.

The children were treated to an amusement ride in Santa’s Magical Forest, and Yankee Candle Village provided a holiday scented “Car Jar” for every family.

The memorable night was sponsored by Adam Quenneville Roofing and Siding.

NEW Bright Nights Interactive Book

Coming Soon! The Spirit of Springfield is proud to announce “Bright Nights at Forest Park – A Magical Wonderland,” a new interactive book that guides the Bright Nights children’s book characters through the holiday lighting event. They learn about the displays, how they are installed, and where they are all stored.

The characters include Diego the Dinosaur, Little Frog, Geffy Giraffe, Pablo the Polar Bear, Louis the Lion, who is new to the collection of books, and Little Reindeer who readers can help leap with the other deer in Winter Woods. There are lots of interactions throughout the book to keep the reader engaged, and it is colorful enough to keep it on the coffee table.

The book will be available for sale for $25 at the Bright Nights Gift Shop in Santa’s Magical Forest, the Springfield Visitors Center at 1319 Main Street, and online at brightnights.org.

In this Issue

Bright Nights

30 Years in the Making

Free Concert by 215th Army Band

Santa's Magical Forest

Bright Night

$10 Tuesdays

Bright Nights

5K Road Race

Military & Emergency Responders Night

New Bright Nights

Interactive Book

Guest Column

Dr. Robert Roose

Mercy Medical Center

Bright Nights

Wagon & Carriage Rides

Guest Column

Robert Roose, M.D., MPH

President, Mercy Medical Center and Johnson Memorial Hospital

It's hard to believe that we’re just a few weeks away from the start of the holiday season — a time of year made more festive by the efforts of the Spirit of Springfield.

On Sunday, December 8, Mercy Medical Center and Trinity Health Of New England will sponsor a holiday concert by the 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard at Symphony Hall in Springfield.

For many families, this holiday concert is much more than a fun and relaxing tradition; it also provides a respite from the many obligations and commitments at this time of year. For the Spirit of Springfield, this concert provides another opportunity to promote the city through an extraordinary, family-friendly event.

Mercy is proud to partner with the Spirit of Springfield in support of events that renew a sense of community and bring enjoyment to so many people, such as Bright Nights which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and includes a Mercy-sponsored Nativity display.

May your holidays be filled with peace, hope and joy. All of us at Mercy Medical Center and Trinity Health Of New England wish you a New Year filled with health and happiness.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2024

Bright Nights at Forest Park

November 27th - January 5th

Closed December 2nd & 3rd

Forest Park

215th Army Band Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 8th

2pm

Symphony Hall