September News from The Spirit

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest

We were honored to lend our support to the Springfield Ride to Remember spinning fundraiser. This marks the fourth year that we teamed up with Jesse Baker and his team at 180 Fit Gym. This month, we will assist the Springfield Police and Fire Departments with the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony.

It is a part of our mission to support events like these. After all, where would we be without our first responders.

- Judy Matt
President

September 11th Remembered

The flag will be lowered. Emergency vehicles will roll out. The fire bell will toll. There will be a gun salute and taps will be played. It will be Springfield's annual September 11th Remembrance Ceremony.

For the 15th time, the Spirit of Springfield will work with the Springfield Police and Fire Departments to host the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, September 11 at 10am at the Raymond Sullivan Safety Complex at 1212 Carew Street. Speakers will include Mayor Domenic Sarno, Bishop Mitchel Rozanski, Springfield Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri, American Medical Response Regional Director David Pelletier, and Colonel James Suhr, Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base.

Following the ceremony, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts will host a light lunch with dessert provided by retired Springfield Fire Captain Leo Lortie and Dot Lortie.

Please join us for a morning of remembrance and reflection.

Union Station Video

Congressman Richard E. Neal was surprised when he was presented with a three-minute video celebrating the rebirth of Springfield's Union Station and his 40-year commitment to see the station reopen.

He was at WWLP-22News to record an interview for C-SPAN. Before the interview, Bill Pepin, WWLP-22News President and General Manager, who also served as a co-chair of the Union Station Celebration, and Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt welcomed him.

View the Springfield Union Station commemorative video pro duced by Chris Teebo Films.

Spinning to Remember

180 Fit Gym rolled out more than a dozen spinning bikes in support of the Springfield Ride to Remember. For $25 individuals and for $125 teams of five, rode the stationary bikes for 15 minutes at One Financial Plaza. All participants received a commemorative t-shirt and refreshments courtesy of Aaron's, Palazzo Café and the Springfield Business Improvement District.

At noon, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno rode alongside Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos and Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan. There were also teams from MassLive, Springfield Thunderbirds and Congressman Richard Neal's office.

This year marks the 4th year the Spirit of Springfield joined forces with the gym located on the 9th floor at One Financial Plaza. All proceeds will be used to build new soccer fields in honor of Springfield Police Department Fallen Officers Alain Beauregard and Michael Schiavina, the Law Enforcement Monument in Boston, and Christina's House.

Bright Nights Road Race Registration

There are 500 spots available for the Bright Nights 5K Road Race. They are sure to go quickly when registration opens up at 12am on Monday, September 18. Some will stay up late for a chance to run through Bright Nights on Monday, November 27 (Rain Date: Tuesday, November 28). Others will set their alarms and hope for the best.

Last year, half the registrations were taken in the first ten minutes. All were reserved before the morning staff meeting.

The 2017 Bright Nights 5K Road Race is sponsored by Health New England, Freedom Credit Union and more. Learn more at brightnights.org.

Mattoon Street Arts Festival

There will be more than 100 artists and crafters exhibiting at the 45th Annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival on September 9 and 10 in Downtown Springfield. The free arts and crafts show will be held from 10am to 5pm on a street lined with restored brick Victoria row houses in the city's first historic district. There will vendors with ceramics, jewelry, glass, paintings, photography, food and more.

The Mattoon Street Arts Festival is the oldest arts and crafts show in Western Massachusetts, and Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt has been a long-time member of its committee.

For more information, visit mattoonfestival.org.

Supporting Hurricane Harvey Recovery

The Spirit of Springfield is selling 2017 Bright Nights car passes for $10 (up to a $21 value) to raise money for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Tickets will be available on-line through Monday, September 11, 2017. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross so that they can assist those whose lives have been devastated.

Show your support and purchase your tickets on-line.

Breaking News!

Tickets for The President's Own U. S. Marine Band will be available September 19 for their free performance on Thursday, October 19 in Springfield Symphony Hall.

Ticket are available on-line, at 1350 Main Street Security or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Spirit of Springfield, 1350 Main Street, Suite 1004, Springfield, MA 01103.

In This Issue

September 11th Remembered

Star Spangled Sparkled

Spinning to Remember

Bright Nights Road Race Registration

Breaking News

Guest Column - Chris Russell

Bright Nights Season Pass

Guest Column

Chris Russell

Executive Director

Springfield Business Improvement District

The Springfield Business Improvement district is excited about bringing the first annual Springfield Jam Fest to Downtown Springfield on Saturday, September 9 from 12pm to 11pm. It will be a musical experience unlike any other in Western Mass.

Over a dozen local artists will be performing on two separate stages throughout the entire day for an all-day free music festival in Court Square. We have something for everyone's taste filling two stages. Genres will include; rock, country, blues, reggae, and more. In addition to non-stop, local, live entertainment, there will be great food and beverages from area vendors.

Proceeds raised by the concert will go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts . This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through support, education, and advocacy.

The Springfield Jam Fest is just one more event to bring excitement to Downtown Springfield like the Spirit of Springfield does with the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, Star Spangled Springfield and the Parade of the Big Balloons.

Join us Wednesday, September 6 from 9pm to 11pm at Theodore's for a preview featuring many of the Springfield Jam Fest's performers.

Please visit

springfielddowntown.com for more information about Springfield Jam Fest.

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2017 Calendar of Events

September 11th Remembrance Ceremony

Monday, September 11

10AM

Raymond Sullivan Safety Complex

U. S. Marine Band Concert

Free

Thursday, October 19

7PM

Springfield Symphony Hall

City of Bright Nights Ball

Saturday, November 11

6:30PM to 12Midnight

Sheraton Springfield

Parade of the Big Balloons

Friday, November 24

11AM

Main Street