𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱

Celebrating Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

We were so honored to welcome the U. S. Navy Concert Band to Springfield Symphony Hall. It was a full house, and the students who joined them on stage had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was our first military concert of the year, and we are planning to present others.

Throughout the year, there will be even more fun! More pancakes, more golfers, more fireworks, and definitely more holiday lights.

I hope you will join us for all the fun!

-- Judy Matt

President

U. S. Navy Band Concert

“One of the finest concerts.” “It was wonderful!” “My favorite stop on the tour.” Those are just some of the comments heard from guests and members of the U. S. Navy Band after the concert on Sunday, March 1st.

More than 1,100 people filled Springfield Symphony Hall for the free performance sponsored by Yellowstone Landscape. The music was patriotic and uplifting. There were mellifluent melodies, grand orchestrations, marches, and little bit of The Wizard of Oz. There were also 11 students from the High School of Science and Technology, Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, and Longmeadow High School who performed “Washington Post March” with the band. The Springfield Fire Department dressed the front of the building with the American Flag hanging between two ladder trucks.

In addition to Yellowstone Landscape, the concert was supported by PIP Printing, Pride Stores, Comcast, MassLive, Rock 102, The Republican, Western Mass News, NAI Plotkin, Springfield Business Improvement District, Springfield Parking Authority, Springfield Symphony Hall, and a donation made in memory of Evelyn O’Brien.

See more great photos of the concert.

Pancake Breakfast Exhibitors Welcome

The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a great opportunity to meet the community. It is one-on-one with as many as 10,000 to 12,000 people. Handing out branded items is a great way for visitors to remember your products and services. The date is Saturday, May 16th. The official hours are 8am to 11am.

The cost compared to the reach is minimal. For businesses, the price starts at just $500. Community service organizations pay $35. Political campaigns pay $100. All participants need a certificate of insurance listing the Spirit of Springfield as an additional insured and will be listed on the event’s web page, and on a special edition newsletter that will be sent out just a few days before the annual pancake party.

Learn more and register today at spiritofspringfield.org.

Breakfast Entertainers Wanted

There are two entertainment areas at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. They are perfect for showcasing music, dance, and demonstrations, and programed from 8am to 11am. The Sci-Tech Band has already been scheduled from 8am to 9:30am, and the Springfield Prep Charter School is bringing their high-energy dance team for a 10:30am performance.

The Spirit of Springfield will provide the audience and the sound amplification system.

Online signups are available at spiritofspringfield.org.

Gotta Golf for the Spirit!

Calling all golfers! The Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic is a perfect opportunity to golf, support the Spirit of Springfield, and spend a Friday away from the office. The shotgun-style scramble will be held Friday, June 5th.

Before golfers tee-off at 10am, they will watch as local mayors spar in a friendly putting competition. Their goal is to bring home the Mayor’s Cup Trophy and bragging rights. The Cup has bounced between Chicopee, Agawam, and Westfield.

On the course, lunch will be served, and there will also be games that challenge the golfers to the longest drive, and accuracy for the closest-to-the-pin.

Show your support for the Spirit of Springfield by registering a foursome, sponsoring a tee, lunch, Mayor’s Cup, or being a Community Spirit Sponsor. Get all the details and on the course at spiritofspringfield.org.

Bright Nights Shows Appreciation

While Bright Nights at Forest Park is still being dismantled, the Spirit of Springfield and the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, took a moment to pause and show their appreciation to the hardworking team that makes the holiday season magical. This included the Parks Department that is dedicated to installing, removing, and maintaining the displays, businesses that sponsor the event, volunteers who share their time and talents, and the seasonal employees.

A special tribute was given to “Wild Bill” Vezina, the Bright Nights Coordinator for the Parks Department, in celebration of his retirement. After working 18 years as a member of the Bright Nights Crew, and 25 years working at the department, he is hanging up his socket press for new adventures.

See more photos of the breakfast at the Sheraton Springfield.

Bright Nights on The Landing

A bit of Bright Nights at Forest Park dropped in at The Landing on Bruce Landon Way. While the Springfield Thunderbirds were away at the AHL All-Star Game, the Spirit of Springfield with the Springfield Parks Department, David R. Northup Electrical Contractors, and the MassMutual Center put the team in lights.

The Springfield Thunderbirds 70-foot long by 20-foot tall display from Bright Nights will be glowing every night through the end of the team’s season. Lots of photographs and selfies have been taken in front of the oversized hockey players and team logo.

Be sure to check it out before it flies away.

Bright Nights Survey

We asked some Bright Nights at Forest Park visitors about their experience during the 2025 season. We received some valuable responses.

23% responded that they have been coming to Bright Nights since 1995. 15% said it was their first visit. 87% said they plan to return. When asked how they learned about Bright Nights, 70% said they have always known about it. Seuss Land was the favorite display. 18% bought snowflake wands. 31% visited Santa’s Magical Forest. 33% said they did not participate in any of the activities, but they are interested in them for future visits.

As part of their holiday experience, 22% visited a restaurant, and 9% visited a local attraction with the Springfield Museums and MGM Springfield tying with 19%. Yankee Candle Village came out on top with 21% of the responses.

The Spirit of Springfield will be using the information gathered from the survey to further enhance Bright Nights’ 32nd season opening on Wednesday, November 25, 2026.

Welcome Ruby!

For the past several months Ruby Ramgren has been working at the Spirit of Springfield. She is a Springfield resident, and a recent graduate of Grove City College. While at the Spirit of Springfield, she has coordinated entertainment, coupons, and ticket scanning hardware for Bright Nights, proofed and edited hundreds of pages of text, and done valuable research. Next, she will be overseeing the volunteers at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast.

Last month, the Spirit of Springfield made her official. She is now an employee of the organization as a Program Coordinator.

Thank You PeoplesBank

PeoplesBank has been a long-time partner with the Spirit of Springfield. They even put a little bit of Bright Nights at Forest Park on the top of their corporate offices. They have been at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, were the lead sponsor of the City of Bright Nights Ball in 2016, and helped to underwrite Springfield’s September 11th Monument and its new kiosk.

PeoplesBank has already committed their support for 2026. They will sponsor Santa’s Magical Forest at Bright Nights at Forest Park, and will be a Golden Circle Sponsor at the City of Bright Nights Ball on November 7th at MGM Springfield.

Their corporate support speaks volumes about their commitment to the community.

ATTRACTION SPOTLIGHT:

Springfield Museums

There is a building for everyone at the Springfield Museums. There is science and nature, art, history, and a Dr. Seuss Museum all neatly arranged on The Quadrangle which features the magnificent bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss’ beloved characters. There is even one of Theodor Geisel who wrote and illustrated the children’s books.

On Saturday, March 7th, they will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ 122nd birthday with a bash from 10am to 5pm. It is just one of the happenings this month at the museums.

The Springfield Museum is bursting with Springfield memorabilia and tells of the city’s rich history dating back hundreds of years. On Saturday, May 16th, Declaration of Innovation: Springfield’s Revolutionary Ideas exhibit will open.

In this Issue

U. S. Navy Band Concert

Pancake Breakfast

Exhibitors Welcome

Breakfast Entertainers Wanted

Gotta Golf for the Spirit

Bright Nights

Shows Appreciation

Bright Nights on The Landing

Bright Nights Survey Results

Welcome Ruby

Thank you PeoplesBank

ATTRACTION SPOTLIGHT

Springfield Museums

Guest Column

Paul Marcelina,

Monarch Enterprises &

Spirit of Springfield Board

Spirit of Springfield Calendar

Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic

Bright Nights Season Pass

We Love Springfield ❤️

Guest Column

Paul Marcelina

Executive Vice President,

Monarch Enterprises &

Spirit of Springfield Board

As we continue to battle the relentless winter weather from Mother Nature, my mind continues to focus on one of my personal favorite outdoor activities -- GOLF.

So, to that end:

The 2026 Spirit of Springfield Annual Golf Classic is officially set for Friday, June 5, 2026, at the scenic Franconia Golf Course.

This long-standing tradition invites golfers of all skill levels to enjoy a day of "fore-tunate" fun while supporting the city’s most beloved community celebrations.

The event kicks off with registration at 9:00 AM, followed by the highly anticipated Mayor’s Cup Putting Contest at 9:30 AM, where local leaders compete for bragging rights. A 10:00 AM shotgun start signals the beginning of a friendly scramble tournament, featuring on-course challenges like Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin. Participants will also vie for the prestigious Joe Superneau Award.

Every swing directly benefits Spirit of Springfield initiatives, including the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast and the iconic Bright Nights at Forest Park. Registration typically includes lunch, specialized gift cards, and entry into various raffles.

Location: Franconia Golf Course, 619 Dwight Rd, Springfield, MA

Date: Friday, June 5, 2026

Times: 9:00 AM (Registration)

9:30 AM (Mayor's Cup)

10:00 AM (Shotgun Start)

Would you like more details on sponsorship tiers or information on how to register your foursome for the 2026 tournament? Email nicole@spiritofspringfield.org