About Spirit of Springfield

Our Mission

We create and produce events that enhance the quality of life by providing people with a sense of community, civic pride and opportunities for celebration.

Commitment to Excellence

We produce quality events.

We act with fiscal responsibility.

We build and maintain satisfying relationships with event goers, supporters, and service providers.

The Spirit of Springfield is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.

Our History

December 1989 to Present

In December 1989, the Spirit of Springfield was incorporated and immediately began working to fulfill its mission to “promote community events and encourage civic pride.” It started with the celebration of Springfield’s 354th birthday which included Springfield’s Annual Hot Air Balloon Classic and the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. Millions of residents have been entertained with additional events that have included the MassMutual Star Spangled Springfield, Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons, City of Bright Nights Ball and Bright Nights at Forest Park.

The private non-profit organization has also been known to lend its expertise to the City of Springfield for celebrations including special anniversaries like Springfield’s 375th and the Municipal Group’s 100th. There have been several mayoral inaugurations, building dedications, swearing-in ceremonies and retirement receptions. In 2019, they dedicated Springfield's September 11th Monument after raising $300,000.

They have also coordinated Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinements for greats like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and the opening of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In order to produce these events, the Spirit of Springfield relies on the support of local, regional and national business who donate approximately $450,000. This is matched by another $450,000 from in-kind donations that include everything from media coverage to flatbed trailers, cups, plates, napkins and pancake batter. Lending a hand to assist with events are volunteers who cook and serve at the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, balloon wranglers who guide helium filled giants down Main Street for the Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons, students from Western New England University that greet guests at the City of Bright Nights Ball. There are also an array of volunteers who serve on committees as well as the dedicated members of the Spirit of Springfield Board of Directors.

Our Team

Staff

Judith A. Matt

President

Nicole Antonmarchi

Senior Program Coordinator

Amy J. Barron-Burke

Vice President

Board

John Sjoberg (Chair)

President, New England Business Machine

Kathy Tobin (Vice Chair)

Vice President of Philanthropy

and Director of Annual Giving & Events

Baystate Health Foundation

Chris Russell (Treasurer)

President

LPM Services

Attorney Melinda Phelps (Clerk)

General Counsel and Vice President for Government and Community Affairs

Westfield State University

Ray Berry

Founder & President

White Lion Brewing

Jonathan Berthiaume

Brand Development Expert

Margaret Boyle

Chief of Staff to the President

and Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs

Western New England University

Daniel Glanville, Esquire

Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs

Comcast Cable – Western New England Region

Paul Marcelina

Executive Vice President and Asset Manager

Monarch Enterprises

Payton North

Director of Communications

Hampden District Attorney's Office

Robert Simone

Vice President/General Manager

WWLP-22News & The CW Springfield

Andres Gomez

Executive Director of Hospitality

MGM Springfield

Emeritus

Jason Freeman

Senior VP Corporate Operations & Guest Services

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation