Wikipedia

Draft:Spirit of Springfield

Spirit of Springfield
FormationDecember 1989
HeadquartersSpringfield, Massachusetts
Websitewww.spiritofspringfield.org

Spirit of Springfield is a nonprofit organization based in Springfield, Massachusetts which focuses on putting on community events.

History edit

The organization was incorporated in December 1989.[1][2][3] Spirit of Springfield took over much of the work previously done by the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, which had closed that June due to financial difficulties.[2][3][4] At the time, the board of directors said they would only organize events which were "self-supporting or make a profit," with support from "private funds and donations".[3] The first events they organized were the Hot Air Balloon Classic and Pancake Breakfast in May 1990, followed by Taste of Springfield in June.[5][6] In December 1990 it was officially recognized as a nonprofit by the IRS.[7]

In 1994 the nonprofit was one of fifteen local organizations to receive a grant from the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote tourism in Western Massachusetts.[8][9]

In April 2000 it was estimated that the organization had collected $1.6 million in corporate contributions and generated $11.6 million for the local economy since its inception.[10]

The organization has also organized and sponsored events commemorating Columbus Day,[11] Halloween,[12] and New Year's Eve,[13] and events for the Basketball Hall of Fame.[4]

Organization edit

As of January 2023, Spirit of Springfield was rated 76%, or three out of four stars, on Charity Navigator.[14]

The organization's offices are located on Main Street in downtown Springfield.[15]

Events edit

Bright Nights edit

Main article: Bright Nights (Springfield)

City of Bright Nights Ball edit

The black-tie ball, first held in 1996, is the organization's largest fundraiser.[16][17][18]

For most of its early history, the gala was held at a Sheraton hotel in the city's downtown.[19] In 2005 the event was held at the MassMutual Center.[18] In 2018 the gala was the first scheduled event to be hosted by MGM Springfield.[19]

Golf Classic edit

info[20][21]

In 2020 the Classic was delayed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]

Parade of the Big Balloons edit

This parade is held on Thanksgiving Day, although past iterations were held on the day after.[4][23] Although the parade has been held for more than thirty years, the organization has only had responsibility for the event since 1992.[23] Included in the parade is a 75 foot tall Cat in the Hat balloon, which debuted in 1992.[24][25] 1993 introduced a Smokey Bear balloon.[26] That year the organization also claimed the parade was the second largest balloon parade in the eastern US, after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[27]

The event has not taken place since 2019. In 2020 and 2021 the organization cited COVID-19 concerns, and in 2022 a helium shortage was cited.[28][29] Helium shortages had also threatened the parade in 2019, but had not stopped it.[30][31]

September 11th Ceremony edit

The ceremony was first held in 2002 to commemorate rescue workers who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks.[32]

For several years the ceremony was held at the Raymond Sullivan Public Safety Complex.[33] In 2020 the ceremony was relocated to the new September 11th Monument in Riverfront Park.[34]

Star Spangled Springfield edit

Star Spangled Springfield is the organization's Fourth of July event,[4] held in Riverfront Park since 2010.[35] The organization first held the event in 1991 in Court Square.[36][37] Past entertainment for the event has included concerts by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the US Air Force Band of Liberty.[35]

The event is sponsored by MassMutual, includes entertainment such as balloon artists and face painters, and culminates with a fireworks display over the Connecticut River.[38]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event did not take place in 2020.[39] An estimated 100,000 people were expected to attend the event in 2022.[37]

World's Largest Pancake Breakfast edit

The breakfast is held annually on May 14th in celebration of the city's founding.[40] The event itself dates back to 1976.[41] In 1986 the city began dubbing the event the "World's Largest Breakfast" and began competing with Battle Creek, Michigan for that title.[41][42] By 2005 the event had been renamed the "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast".[43]

In 1988 a hot air balloon competition was added to the event.[5]

An estimated 10,000 people attend the free event annually, during which 500 gallons of pancake batter, 1,000 pounds of Smithfield bacon, 450 pounds of Cabot Creamery butter, 450 gallons of maple syrup, and 500 gallons of orange juice are served.[42][44] All food is donated by companies or local businesses.[44] In addition to food, the event also features entertainment from local bands and stands from local businesses, clubs, and organizations.[45]

The event has been held on Main Street (1976-2004, 2007-2022), and the Eastfield Mall (2005-2006).[43][45] MGM Springfield has sponsored the event since 2013.[43] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the breakfast was not held in 2020.[41][44][45]

Projects edit

September 11th Monument edit

The organization obtained a steel I-beam from the World Trade Center in 2011 through a donation program overseen by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.[46]

In 2016 the design and location for the monument were released.[47] The design consists of the beam and a curved bronze wall inscribed with the names of the first responders who died during and after the attacks.[34][47]

In 2019 Spirit of Springfield dedicated the city's September 11th Monument in Riverfront Park.[1][34][47] In 2020 the monument was officially given to the city.[34]

Books edit

In 2014 the organization released "The Spirit of Springfield", a book written by Kevin J. Connor tracing the organization's history and prior events, to celebrate 25 years of existence.[2]

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "About Spirit of Springfield". Spirit of Springfield. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  2. ^ a b c Urban, Cori (2014-12-05). "Spirit of Springfield's new book celebrates special events of city". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  3. ^ a b c Swan, Rhonda (25 January 1990). "Organization to back events city sponsored". The Republican. p. 19.
  4. ^ a b c d Strempek Shea, Suzanne (19 February 1995). "'Spirit of Springfield' keeps the spirit alive". The Republican. pp. H8.
  5. ^ a b Pugh, Susannah (13 May 1990). "Springfield ups ante in breakfast battle". The Republican. pp. A1.
  6. ^ Bosman, Susan E. (14 June 1990). "Taste of Springfield's no flash in the pan - City savors annual feast". The Republican. pp. W1.
  7. ^ Antonio, Mindy A. (28 December 1990). "`SOS' promoters gain IRS approval - Non-profit organization elated". The Republican. p. 13.
  8. ^ Lunt, Dean (13 December 1994). "Tourism boosters get grant - Organizations share $87,000". The Republican. p. 17.
  9. ^ "TOURISM GRANTS AWARDED". Daily Hampshire Gazette. 19 December 1994.
  10. ^ O'Shea, Mary Ellen (6 April 2000). "Spirit of Springfield thanks sponsors for 10 great years". The Republican. pp. B03.
  11. ^ Swan, Rhonda (16 August 1990). "Columbus Day fest set, with new sponsor". The Republican. p. 17.
  12. ^ "Haunted House returns". The Republican. 25 October 1994. p. 13.
  13. ^ Malley, Carol (30 November 1990). "'First Night' due after 2-year hiatus". The Republican. p. 19.
  14. ^ "Charity Navigator - Rating for Spirit of Springfield Inc". www.charitynavigator.org. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  15. ^ "Walking Tour". Springfield Cultural Partnership. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  16. ^ "City of Bright Nights Ball". Spirit of Springfield. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  17. ^ Wilson, Maria (12 November 2022). "Spirit of Springfield hosts annual Bright Nights Ball". Western Mass News. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  18. ^ a b "City of Bright Nights Ball". Connect Western Mass. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  19. ^ a b Tuthill, Paul (2018-03-12). "Fundraising Gala For Civic Group Is First Event Booked For MGM Springfield Casino". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  20. ^ "Golf Classic". Spirit of Springfield. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  21. ^ Becker, Sy (2022-06-03). "Spirit of Springfield Golf Classic held at Franconia". WWLP. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  22. ^ Nguyen, Leon (2020-09-25). "Chicopee mayor John Vieau brings home 2020 Mayor's Cup Golf Classic (photos)". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  23. ^ a b Swan, Rhonda (25 March 1992). "Balloon parade gets new sponsors, characters". The Republican. p. 19.
  24. ^ O'Shea, Mary Ellen (28 November 1992). "Cat in the Hat's a holiday parade hit". The Republican. p. 1.
  25. ^ Tuthill, Paul (2015-11-23). "Family Of Slain Massachusetts Marine Will Lead Holiday Parade". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  26. ^ Smith, Winston (4 November 1993). "Old, new cast of characters - Balloon parade preview augurs wonderful time". The Republican. p. 24.
  27. ^ O'Connor, Keith J. (25 November 1993). "BALLOONS on PARADE - Springfield steps into holidays". The Republican. pp. WK1.
  28. ^ Nick, DeGray (2021-10-15). "Springfield's Parade of Big Balloons postponed for a second year". WWLP. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  29. ^ Trowbridge, Ryan (2022-10-20). "Spirit of Springfield announces postponement of Parade of Big Balloons". KESQ. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  30. ^ Tuthill, Paul (2019-11-25). "Helium Shortage Won't Ground Parade Of Big Balloons". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  31. ^ Teehan, Sean (2019-11-29). "Helium Shortage Doesn't Deflate Springfield Parade". New England Public Media. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  32. ^ "September 11th Ceremony". Spirit of Springfield. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  33. ^ Tuthill, Paul (2018-09-11). "Springfield Hosts Annual Tribute To 9/11 First Responders". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  34. ^ a b c d Tuthill, Paul (2020-03-03). "City Accepts Gift Of 9/11 Monument From Nonprofit". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  35. ^ a b "Star Spangled Springfield". Spirit of Springfield. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  36. ^ Pugh, Sussanah (5 July 1991). "WMass celebrates holiday - Fireworks back with big bang". The Republican. p. 1.
  37. ^ a b Wilson, Mary; Stanford, Livi; Trowbridge, Ryan (23 June 2022). "Organizers expect at least 100,000 people for 2022 Star Spangled Springfield". Western Mass News. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  38. ^ Tuthill, Paul (2022-06-27). "Fireworks and other festivities announced for July 4th at Springfield's Riverfront Park". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  39. ^ Tuthill, Pauk (2021-07-02). "Springfield Fireworks Show Returns On July 4th". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  40. ^ Russell, Chris. "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast". Springfield BID. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  41. ^ a b c "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, Scheduled For Western Mass, Has New Date". The Berkshires Daily Voice. 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  42. ^ a b Tuthill, Paul (2017-05-12). "A Cold War Over Pancakes?". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  43. ^ a b c "World's Largest Pancake Breakfast". www.spiritofspringfield.org. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  44. ^ a b c Dave, Canton (2022-05-14). "Spirit of Springfield's pancake breakfast back after pandemic break". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  45. ^ a b c Tuthill, Paul (2022-05-13). "Pancake breakfast returns Saturday to Springfield's Main Street". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  46. ^ Tuthill, Paul (2018-04-23). "Funds Being Raised For Permanent 9/11 Memorial In Springfield Park". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
  47. ^ a b c Tuthill, Paul (2019-06-19). "Springfield To Dedicate 9/11 Monument". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
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