WORLD'S LARGEST PANCAKE BREAKFAST
In 1976, to celebrate the country’s Bicentennial, volunteers presented Springfield's first "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast" and in 1986, for Springfield's 350th anniversary, Main Street was once again filled with flapjacks as the event returned to the city. The tradition has been continued every year in mid-May with support of several hundred volunteers, the Massachusetts Army National Guard and the International House of Pancakes. In 2001, 74,350 servings of pancakes were served. Media coverage has included those helping to serve breakfast--WWLP-TV22 NEWS, abc40, WHYN AM & FM, WMAS AM & FM, ROCK102, KIX 97.9 and more.
STAR SPANGLED SPRINGFIELD
Red, white and blue are the prominent colors on July 4th when the Spirit of Springfield presents an evening of patriotism, pageantry and pyrotechnics. The evening begins in Court Square with a rousing patriotic concert and concludes with an incredible fireworks display from the Memorial Bridge.
CITY OF BRIGHT NIGHTS BALL
In 2000, the “City of Bright Nights Ball" Committee reconvened for a fifth year to present the "City of Bright Nights Ball," a fund raising event for the holiday lighting displays in Downtown Springfield. The evening included a gourmet dinner, entertainment and dancing in an elegant setting. In past years, sponsor contributions and proceeds from the “City of Bright Nights Ball" have afforded the Spirit of Springfield the opportunity to illuminate Court Square and Springfield's Municipal Group. Other areas that have been decorated with proceeds from the “City of Bright Nights Ball" include the Main Street trestle, and the Memorial Bridge in cooperation with the Town of West Springfield.
BRIGHT NIGHTS AT FOREST PARK
For the holiday season, over 600,000 lights illuminate a two and a half mile drive-through tour through picturesque Forest Park. From the new “Poinsettia Fantasy” entry to the giant Poinsettia Candles marking the exit, passengers in cars, vans, buses and campers drive by and through the magnificent displays including "Seuss Land," a one-of-a-kind display approved by the estate of Dr. Seuss, "Spirit of the Season," "Noah's Ark," "Victorian Village," "Barney Mansion," "Winter Woods," "North Pole Village," "Toy Land," and "Season's Greetings."
PARADE OF THE BIG BALLOONS
Since 1991, the Spirit of Springfield has helped usher in the holiday season with Springfield's own 75-foot inflatable "Cat in the Hat," a few of his balloon friends, bands and colorful marching contingents. At 11AM on the day after Thanksgiving, they step-off in the city's North End and make their way down Main Street to the South End, entertaining crowds estimated at 70,000. Media attention has included a live television broadcast by WWLP-TV22, as well the participation of ROCK102, WMAS AM & FM, WHYN AM & FM, WNNZ and others.
OTHER EVENTS
- Mayoral Inaugurations
- September 11th Remebrance Ceremony
- Supper with Santa
- Dinner with Dickens
- Bright Nights Express
Past Events
- Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement
- Time Out for Movies
- Peter Pan Slice of Summer/Taste of Springfield
- Basketball Centennial Gala
- Carnivale di Columbus
- Springfield's Green City Forum
- Forest Park's Haunted House
- Military Concerts
- Springfield Police Academy Graduations
- Hoop It Up
- Firefighter's Combat Challenge
- Springfield's Annual Hot Air Balloon Classic
- Springfield Farmers’ Market
- State Street Corridor Rededication
- President William Clinton Visit
- Field of Dreams/Picknelly Field
- Secretary Bruce Babbitt Dedication Ceremony
- Kids Voting Springfield
- Public Safety Complex Dedication
- Duggan Middle School Time Capsule Ceremony
- Springfield Teaching Excellence Awards
- Springfield’s Master Plan Unveiling
- Dr. Seuss National Memorial Unveiling
- Springfield’s New Millennium Celebration
- Springfield New Leadership Charter School Opening
- Downtown on Ice
- Frederick Olmstead Stamp Unveiling
- Rose Stamp Unveiling at Forest Park’s Rose Garden
- Springfield Municipal Operations Center Unveiling
- Coca-Cola Caravan
- Massachusetts Army National Guard Change of Command Ceremonies
- Universal Studios Island of Adventure Dr. Suess Auditions
