Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

We are counting down to the 25th season of Bright Nights at Forest Park which will be in 2019. We have lots to do to get ready for it and we were excited to kick-off it off at the Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast.
 
Thanks to all that joined us at the Sheraton Springfield and all that continue to make it a glowing success. 
 
- Judy Matt 
President
 
Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast
 
Tables were decorated with party hats for the Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast held on February 27 at the Sheraton Springfield. The room was filled with almost 100 supporters. The Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, collaborators on Bright Nights, honored many. This included the team from the Springfield Park Department employees who install, remove and maintain the holiday lighting displays as well as department employees who offer supplemental support.
 
Receiving Spirit of Springfield jackets were Springfield Police Officers Sean Sullivan and Ricky Viruet who install and maintain the radio equipment and the "Bright Nights Cams" at the front gate and Santa's Magical Forest, and Patricia Gagnon and Charlie Breguet from Baystate Health who lend their talents to the production of television and radio public service announcements as well as the audio heard on the Bright Nights radio station, and long-time Spirit of Springfield supporter, Frank Colaccino, President of The Colvest Group.
 
Each guest received a Bright Nights watch, a token of appreciation to help them keep track of time and when Bright Nights will open for the 25th season in 2019.
 
See more photos!
Bright Nights 25th Season Logo Unveiled
 
In preparation for Bright Nights at Forest Park's 25th season in 2019, the Spirit of Springfield commissioned Rebecca Coderre, RC Creative, to create a new logo worthy of milestone celebration.



The new logo will be available on on apparel and souvenirs, and will be used to market the 2019 season.
September 11th Memorial Fundraising
 
The fundraising efforts for Springfield's September 11th Memorial have begun. The goal is $300,000 with any additional funds to support the memorial's maintenance. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno serves as the Honorary Chair. Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri and Fire Commissioner Bernard "B. J." Calvi serve as the Co-Chairs. Frank Colaccino, The Colvest Group, Chairs the Fundraising Committee.
 
The memorial will be placed in Riverfront Park upon the park's completion. During the day, visitors will be presented with the World Trade Center artifact balance lightly on one end of enter of a circular memorial. A giant curved piece of metal will hold the names of the firefighters, emergency medical technicians, public safety officers and military who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, attacks. When night falls, the shadows of the World Trade Center will appear in a space left vacant of names.
 
Donations to Springfield's September 11th Memorial can be made to Spirit of Springfield/September 11th Memorial, 1350 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest allowed by law.


Pancake logo
Exhibitors Wanted for World's Largest Pancake Breakfast  
 
Make your company or organization's mark on the tens of thousands who will enjoy the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 12. We suggest giveaways to engage the community.
 
Community service organizations can participate for as little as $25. Businesses start at $500. Based upon the size and location the price grows as does the impact. To-date, the Law Offices of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan and Blakesly, Metro PCS, Gateway to College - STCC, and Springfield Public Schools PACE Program have registered.
 
To get on the map for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, register on-line or by contacting the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800 or amy@spiritofspringfield.org.
 
Deadline to register is April 16, 2018.
BREAKING NEWS
200 lbs of Cabot butter

Spirit of Springfield has received commitments from Cabot Creamery for 200 pounds of butter and from H. P. Hood for all the milk and juice that is needed for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast on May 12.
In This Issue
Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast
Bright Nights 25th Season Logo Unvieled
September 11th Memorial Fundraising
Exhibitors Wanted for Pancake Breakfast
Breaking News
Guest Column - Frank Colaccino, The Colvest Group
Guest Column

Frank Colaccino
President
The Colvest Group

We have an opportunity to add a unique feature to our City by honoring the men and women of the police, fire and ambulance services who died in the September 11, 2001, tragedy as they were trying to save the people in the Twin Towers from that horrific attack. 
 
The Spirit of Springfield was awarded a piece of the steel structure. It is 12-foot long by 20-inches wide weighing 2,940 pounds. It was a part of the buildings that were viciously attacked.  This piece of steel is identified as I-0129a in the Port Authority World Trade Archives.
 
There have been many sites proposed, but the final resting place will be Riverfront Park.  Modvic Design in collaboration with Salmon Studios was selected to design and fabricate Springfield's September 11th Memorial called Twin Towers.  There will be 470 names engraved on the memorial; firefighters, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers and military officers.  The goal is to have the monument completed and installed by September 11, 2018.
 
In order to make this happen, Mayor Domenic Sarno has agreed to be the Honorary Chairman and Commissioners' John Barbieri and B. J. Calvi will be the Co-Chairs of the committee charged with raising the $300,000 needed and supervising the process to make this a reality.  I am confident the Springfield Area Community will step up and raise the funds necessary to make this happen. I am humbled to serve as the chair of the fundraising committee.
Watch of Exciting Announcement about
Coming in March
Join Our Mailing List
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 Springfield's  Biggest, Best and Brightest!