Bright Nights at Forest Park had another successful season. We have so many to thank for making the lights shine a little brighter, the experience more memorable and investing in our community.
Now, on to a new year and new events! Happy 2017!
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Bright Nights Season a Success
For 38 nights, Forest Park was lit up like a Christmas tree with more than 650,000 lights along a three-mile tour. Attendance was up by 8.3%. Many ventured off the drive to visit Santa's Magical Forest. They rode the rides, posed with Santa, shopped for souvenirs, got on the horse-drawn wagon or carriage, and toasted marshmallows to make s'mores.
The goal is to extend the visitor's experience. Many took full advantage of the activities in Santa's Magical Forest adding additional 30 minutes to an hour enjoying the festive atmosphere. There were even at least two marriage proposals.
Bright Nights Season Pass holders took full advantage of their privileges. They visited a total of 982 times.
See more
photos!
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2017 Events Planned
The Spirit of Springfield has already begun planning for the 27th year of activities. Soon, we will be reaching out to sponsors, supporters and volunteers who will help the Spirit of Springfield bring the community together in celebration with free activities like the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, Star Spangled Springfield, Parade of the Big Balloons and a holiday concert by the 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
We will also be lending our expertise to the City of Springfield for the opening of Springfield's Union Station and creation of the September 11th Memorial.
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Bright Nights Supper with Santa
Santa was thrilled to sit down with hundreds of his believers in the Barney Carriage House for his annual Supper with Santa. For some families, it has become an annual tradition. For others, it was their first time inside the historic carriage house in Forest Park.
They posed for photos and dined on a scrumptious dinner prepared by Log Rolling. The fare was kid-friendly and topped off with a cupcake.
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Filming for Bright Nights 2017
Chris Teebo Films came back to Bright Nights to catch more of the magic as he prepares to produce a new television commercial
for the 23rd season. Visitors were captured by his cameras aboard the carousel, Santa Train, visiting with Santa and enjoying the lights.
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Bright Nights Welcomed Big Y Employees
 The Spirit of Springfield was honored to host two buses of Big Y Employees at Bright Nights at Forest Park. One group traveled from North Adams, MA and the other from Milford, MA.
On there way, they watched holiday movies and sang Christmas carols.
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Remembering 2016 Fun and Festivities!
The Spirit of Springfield celebrated Springfield's birthday with a flapjack feast and marked the nation's birthday with a Star Spangled Springfield. The Cat in the Cat came back for the Parade of the Big Balloons. PeoplesBank sponsored the City of Bright Nights Ball.
These are just some of the great events that the Spirit of Springfield produced to create lasting memories for area residents. Relive them all through the photo galleries on Flickr.
 
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MGM National Harbor Trip
Judy Matt was honored to accept MGM Resorts invitation to MGM National Harbor's grand opening in December.
She experienced first-hand the first-class job they did and what Springfield can expect when MGM opens its doors in 2018.
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Thanks For Sharing Your
#BrightNightsFP Memories With Us!
Keep Sharing!
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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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Mayor Domenic J. Sarno
City of Springfield
As we enter 2017, 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!' You can't put a price tag on the morale boost this gives to our Springfield and Western Mass. 2017 and beyond hold very exciting times for our city.
Together as one, we will all continue to make our Springfield strong and proud.
Happy New Year and continued success. God Bless.
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Wishing you
12 Months of Happiness,
52 Weeks of Fun,
365 Days Laughter
8,760 Hours of Good Luck,
525,600 Minutes of Joy, 3,1536,000 Seconds of Success
Judy, Amy, Nicole and Spirit of Springfield Board
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2017 Calendar of Events!
Saturday, May 13
8AM to 11AM
Main Street
Friday, June 2 (T)
10AM
Franconia Golf Course
Tuesday, July 4
7PM to 10PM
Riverfront Park
Saturday, November 11
6:30PM to 12Midnight
Friday, November 24
11AM
Main Street
Sponsored by Tower Square
November 22 - January 1
Closed November 27-28
Forest Park
Monday, November 27
Raindate: November 28
Forest Park
Sunday, December 10
Symphony Hall
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