February News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

We are rested and ready for 2018! The year is going to be full of fun and festivities. Flapjacks in May. Golf in June. Fireworks in July. Surprises in August. Remembrance Ceremony in September, and a November and December full of holiday celebrations.

We will be looking for sponsors, supporters and volunteers. We welcome ideas and suggestions. We hope you will be our ambassadors in the community to tell your friends and followers what you enjoy about Spirit of Springfield events.

- Judy Matt
President

Springfield Installs New Fire Commissioner

On Thursday, January 25, 2018, Bernard J. Calvi became Springfield's third Fire Commissioner. Springfield Symphony Hall's Mahogany Room was full with supporters, friends and family. The new commissioner thanked many.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Bishop Mitchel Rozanski, Diocese of Springfield, City Clerk Anthony Wilson, as well as Springfield Fire Department Chaplains Father Gary Dailey and Reverend Willard Cofield, offered words of wisdom. Vanessa Ford sang both the National Anthem and God Bless Springfield.

The Spirit of Springfield was honored to lend its expertise to the event and are thankful for the many area businesses who also donated to the event. These included A. L. Cignoli Company, American Medical Response, Baystate Health, City Stage & Symphony Hall, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Elegant Affairs, Flowers, Flowers!, Nathan Bill's Bar & Restaurant, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health of New England, Springfield Thunderbirds and The Law Firm of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley.

See more photos!

Bright Nights Goes Into Storage

They began with miles of roadway lighting. The Springfield Park Department then moved on to rolling up hundreds of extensions chords from Bright Nights at Forest Park's 2017 season. There was rebar to pull from the frozen terrain.

The displays are now starting to be dismantled. The crew starts at the Sumner Avenue entrance and meticulously inventories them in the maintenance facility. Each display has a section. Each piece has its shelf.

They will be determining which display will be relamped with LED bulbs, which need repairs and what might be added for 2019 when Bright Nights celebrates its 25th season.

Bright Nights Survey Stats

Bright Nights visitors were given a chance to share feedback about their visit and about themselves. Of those that responded and who will receive a $5-off coupon for the 2018 season, we learned:

* Previously Attended	86%
* Visiting Since 1995	35%
* Visited More Than Once in 2017	34%
* Plan to Visit in the Future	97%
* Visited from Outside the Area	48%
* Visited a Restaurant	40%
* Purchased Amusement Ride Tickets	13%

Some of the comments included:

"Fabulous! Our five-year old said it was awesome." - Louise from Bloomfield, CT

"It's our family tradition now!" - L. R. from Greenfield, MA

"Bright Nights is one of very favorite traditions!" - Cynthia from Springfield, MA

"Wonderful Christmas outing. Thank you so much." - Farmington, CT

BREAKING NEWS

Now Accepting Applications for World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Exhibitors

Register your business or community service organization to showcase your products and services on May 12 from 8am to 11am. The The Law Firm of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley has already reserve their space on Main Street.

In This Issue

Springfield Installs New Fire Commissioner

Bright Nights Goes Into Storage

Bright Nights Survey Stats

Breaking News

Guest Column - Mayor Domenic Sarno

Don't Miss a Moment of the Fun

Guest Column

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno

City of Springfield

As we have now entered 2018, my many thanks go out to our Spirit of Springfield team - from Judy and Amy to the Board of Directors- and of course our very generous business community and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, your/our events make us a first-class city.

'Your continued belief and investment in our Springfield is so deeply appreciated!' Though you can put a price tag on the economic development spin-off - you can't put a price tag on the morale boost this gives to our Springfield and Western Mass. 2018 and beyond hold very exciting times for our city. Now is our time to shine as the capital of Western Massachusetts.

Together as one, we will all continue to make our Springfield strong and proud.

Happy New Year and continued success. God Bless.

DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF THE
FUN!

Fill your calendar with Spirit of Springfield Festivities

Dates for 2018

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, May 12

8am to 11am

Main Street