June News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

Despite the unseasonable temperatures and the threat of rain, the 2017 World's Largest Pancake Breakfast got our season off to a great start. We are hoping for better conditions for the Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic, Union Station Celebration, and next month's Star Spangled Springfield.

Let the festivities continue!

- Judy Matt
President

Flapjacks and Fun at World's Largest Pancake Breakfast

Under gray skies, volunteers shined for the 2017 World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. They arrived armed with spatulas, ready to pour and ready to sell. They were warmed by the grills and the thousands that came out for the pancakes.

At 9:30am, the party got started with a flash mob featuring dancers from the All-Stars Dance Studio with the Sci-Tech Band wearing t-shirts compliments of Gleason Johndrow Landscaping.

Thanks to MGM Springfield, Sheriff Nick Cocchi, 2017 Honorary Chairman, donors, supporters, entertainers, and volunteers for making this year's flapjack feast fabulous!

Check out more photos.

Pancake Preparation

In the days preceding the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, work was going on behind the scenes.

The Hampden County Sheriff's Department cooked up a half ton of Carando Classic Italian Bacon. Mercy Medical Center whipped up 500 gallons of pancake batter from Performance Food Group. Peter Lappin delivered more than 200 pounds of Cabot Creamery Butter. Gleason Johndrow Landscaping delivered bacon and loaded pancake batter. The Springfield Business Improvement District and Springfield Department of Public Works picked up supplies from various supporters. Refrigerator trucks were put in place and Michael's Party Rental rolled out more than 1,800 feet of table down the middle of Main Street.

It took a team to celebrate Springfield's spirit and 381st birthday!

Springfield Union Station Celebration

Invitations for the Springfield Union Station Gala have been mailed and it is sure to be a quick sell out. Tickets, however, are not required for the open house on Sunday, June 25 from 12noon to 2pm. Contractors who worked on Springfield's Union Station will get a preview from 10am to 12noon.

The open house at Springfield's Union Station will include a display of vintage and new cars and buses, activities and characters from the Springfield Museums, model train display and more. Admission is free.

Tickets for the Union Station Gala are $200 each and available online. Seating is limited.

Dr. Seuss Comes to Springfield

Springfield's own Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, will have a permanent home at the Springfield Museums this month. A replica of his studio will overlook the Quadrangle and the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden.

The Spirit of Springfield has been honored to play a role in the historic homecoming which will include a fundraiser on Friday, June 2 from 5pm to 8pm at the Sheraton Springfield and a parade down Mulberry Street featuring the Spirit of Springfield's own inflatable Cat in the Hat Saturday, June 3 at 9am.

For more information, visit SpringfieldMusuems.org.

Bright Nights - Big Savings

The summer sale is on for the Bright Nights Season Pass! Starting today through August 30, the 2017 Bright Nights Season Pass is just $40. This is just little more than $1 a night for a car load. Last year, one family attempted to use it every night.

With the season pass comes a coupon booklet of savings. It features discounts and giveaways in Bright Nights and around the community.

To purchase your 2017 Bright Nights Season, visit brightnights.org today!

Breaking News!

Bright Nights 5K Road Registration opens Monday, September 18 at 12am.

Registrations are limited to the first 500 completed and paid submissions.

In This Issue

Flapjacks and Fun

Pancake Preparation

Springfield Union Station Celebration

Dr. Seuss Comes to Springfield

Breaking News!

Guest Column - Congressman Richard E. Neal

Sponsorship Opportunity

Guest Column

Congressman Richard E. Neal

First Congressional District of Massachusetts

I am thrilled that we are less than one month away from the opening of the long awaited $95 million rehabilitation of Springfield's iconic Union Station.

This massive project included the construction of a 26-bay bus terminal for both regional and intercity bus service; construction of a six-level, 377-space parking garage on the site of the former Hotel Charles; a complete renovation of the 37,000 square-foot first floor grand concourse including ticketing windows, waiting area, and concessions and retail space; and renovation and retrofitting of 64,000 square feet on the upper levels of the terminal building for leasable commercial space. Two original barber chairs from the 1930s, a chalk board with train arrival and departure times, a baggage cart, and the original terrazzo floors were all brought back to life. Murals depicting Springfield through the years are displayed on the walls.

On June 23, 2017, I stood in the grand concourse with hundreds of my friends and neighbors as I announced my intent to run for Springfield City Council. My main objective was to bring the building back to its original grandeur. Now, exactly forty years to that date, the station will open with a weekend of extraordinary events for everyone in the community to enjoy thanks to a great partnership with the Spirit of Springfield. Please be sure to join us.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The President's Own

U. S. MARINE BAND

Thursday, October 19 - 7pm

For more information contact

[email protected]

Media Sponsors

MassLive, The Republican, Rock102 and WWLP-22News

2017 Calendar of Events

Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

Friday, June 2

10AM

Franconia Golf Course