Bright Nights at Forest Park has been bustling with activity! We are proud to have a team of hard workers tending to the displays, the traffic, and the visitors, from the moment they enter the gates, to when they take their turn on the carousel, to the holiday tunes they will be singing all the way home. Many are working in the cold, and hopefully some snow.
We are as equally thankful for the Bright Nights sponsors and supporters!
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Record Attendance for Military & First Responders Night
With clear cool skies and a week delay, Bright Nights at Forest Park welcomed a record number of military officers and soldiers, police officers, firefighters and EMT's. They came from across the Commonwealth and across state lines to enjoy an evening at Bright Nights which was compliments of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.
Colonel James Keefe, Wing Commander from the 104th Fighter Group at Barnes Air National Guard, greeted his colleagues. Springfield Commissioner Joe Conant said hello to a firefighter and his family from Templeton, Massachusetts. Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri took a few moments from greeting visitors to share a slice of pizza with the 34 students from Putnam Project Purple Leaders who volunteered to greet visitors.
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215th Army Band Fills Symphony Hall with Holiday Sounds
Audience members were dancing in their seats as the 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard performed in Springfield Symphony Hall on Sunday, December 4. The concert, sponsored by Mercy Medical Center, featured holiday favorites, military salutes and songs from many era's. They performed as a pop band, a brass band, fife and drum, and concert band.
Major General George Keefe, The Adjutant General for the Massachusetts National Guard, enjoyed the concert from the front row along with Mayor Domenic Sarno, Dr. Scott Wolf, President of Mercy Medical Center and Sisters of Providence Health System, and Mary Cate Manion from Western Mass News.
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Check the traffic and check the action in Santa's Magical Forest. Thanks to assistance from Officers Ricky Viruet and Sean Sullivan along with Alex Rock from the Springfield Police Department Radio Division and Island Technology Services, cameras have been reinstalled to catch the traffic and the festivities in Santa's Magical Forest.
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Bright Nights Discounts
Admission to Bright Nights at Forest Park has been discounted on several occasions during the season, and it has been well-received by visitors. Opening night was just $6 as admission was Rolled Back to opening night prices in 1995. There were two $10 Tuesdays with attendance exceeding expectations for Tuesday nights.
Bright Nights Loyalty Card Members received free admission on opening night and paid just $5 on Monday, December 5. This year's response to the Bright Nights Loyalty Cards was so overwhelming that we depleted the supply.
The season pass holders are taking full advantage of their unlimited access to Bright Nights. One family came through three times on opening night! Another family came every night for the first five nights and they have not stopped yet.
 Take the Bright Nights Virtual Tour for more photos.
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September 11th Memorial Unveiled
Springfield's September 11th Memorial has been more than six years in the making. It began in 2010 with a request to the The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for an artifact from the World Trade Center. It was more than a year later that the Spirit of Springfield was given Artifact #I-0129s.
On December 7, the Springfield's September 11th Memorial was unveiled with Mayor Domenic Sarno, Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri, Springfield Fire Commissioner Joe Conant, Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director of Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management, and its designers, Sam Ostroff from Salmon Studios and Bruce Rosenbaum of ModVic, representatives from Columbia Gas of Massachusetts who funded the design, and Charlie Arment Trucking who delivered the artifact to Springfield.
The design selected is entitled Twin Shadows. As presented by Salmon Studios and ModVic, "During the day, visitors are presented with the World Trade Center Artifact, balancing lightly on one end in the center of a circular memorial. A giant curved piece of metal holds the names of NYC's first responders in two large columns with a gap in between. When night falls, this gap is filled with two memorable shadows, created using the silhouette of the artifact. Names remain lit for viewing and ambient light allows visitors to pay their respects."
It will be placed in Riverfront Park.
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Special Coupon Just for You!
Please print to redeem at Bright Nights at Forest Park.
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The Spirit of Springfield is a private, non-profit corporation
which produces high-quality,
large-scale events in the city of Springfield.
Our mission is to promote community events and encourage civic pride.
Celebrating 26 Years of Springfield's
Biggest, Best and Brightest
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Guest Column
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Jane Albert, Chair
Spirit of Springfield Board
Vice President of Philanthropy
Baystate Health
Executive Director
Baystate Health Foundation
As we remembered Pearl Harbor on December 7, the day provided Spirit of Springfield the pathway to honor, recognize and pay tribute to the incredible men and women who have and continue to put their lives on the line for our country, our communities, and our families.
In the morning, I was honored to attend the unveiling of the plans for a 9/11 memorial that will have a permanent home in Riverfront Park. Spirit of Springfield, through its acquisition of an artifact from the World Trade Center, will help ensure that our community will have an opportunity to reflect on the attack on our country and honor the first responders and thousands of others who lost their lives that day.
While the evening was cold, my heart was warm as I joined others to welcome first responders to Bright Nights for a spirited evening in Forest Park. What an honor it was to the greet men and women who serve and have served in all branches of the military, along with police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, and other first responders who spend their days and nights ensuring our safety. I am humbled and grateful for all who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others.
I appreciate every opportunity to participate in the wonderful events produced by Spirit of Springfield and to share in the joy and memories created for so many that certainly can last for a lifetime.
With warm wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season.
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Wishing you every happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year!
Judy, Amy, Nicole, Bridget and Spirit of Springfield Board
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Great Deal! Great Discount! Great Gifts!
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2016 Calendar of Events!
November 23 - January 1
Closed November 28-29
Forest Park
$18 per person
$15 for children under 12
December 11, 13 and 16
Barney Carriage House
Fridays and Sundays through December 23
Excludes Sunday, December 18
Forest Park
Fridays and Saturdays through December 23
Forest Park
December 25 - January 1
Santa's Magical Forest
Free Amusement Ride for Children
Free Noisemaker or Hat for Children
December 31
Santa's Magical Forest
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