Latest news with #JudyMatt
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thousands of tickets to be distributed to students for World's Largest Pancake Breakfast
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Spirit of Springfield is less than two weeks away, and students across Hampden County will receive free tickets to attend. If you love to enjoy a good meal, you won't want to miss the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast that packs Main Street every year in Springfield. The family-friendly event kicks off Saturday, May 17, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and is expected to bring in thousands. Best Mexican restaurants in western Massachusetts to celebrate Cinco De Mayo 'You get milk, coffee, juice, pancakes, bacon, and Little Bites,' said Judy Matt, President of the Spirit of Springfield. 'They actually gave us thousands of them.' Tickets for the annual event are $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children, and can be bought on the day of the event. On Monday, American Medical Response (AMR) and the Springfield Fire Commissioner picked up 70,000 tickets from the Spirit of Springfield's office and loaded them into their vehicles. They plan to distribute them to schools across Hampden County, where all students will receive a free ticket to the breakfast. 'It's a great community event,' said Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi. 'It's great to be a part of it, and being the Chair this year is going to be extra special.' 'It will be our job over the next few days to take all these envelopes and stop at the schools and spread the cheer of the tickets, so that everyone can come down and enjoy an incredible morning,' said Patrick Leonardo, Regional Director of AMR. If you'd like to enjoy an unforgettable breakfast, all you have to do is head over to Main Street in Springfield on May 17. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spirit of Springfield hosts Air Force Academy Concert Band
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Spirit of Springfield held its 30th Air Force Academy Concert Band event on Sunday, honoring the past and present of the military through music. The concert is held annually at Springfield Symphony Hall, drawing in large crowds to support troops both locally and across the country. The Air Force Academy Concert Band came from their base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to perform at this special event. Thousands of fans attend AEW Collision in Springfield 22News' own Julia O'Keefe served as the MC for this concert, and she shared what this opportunity meant to her. 'Judy Matt and the Spirit of Springfield do such a great job putting on these events to bring the western Massachusetts community together,' O'Keefe said. 'And I think this event in particular is so special, because we're celebrating the armed forces but also the arts, bringing together two really important pieces of our community.' Local officials also spoke at the event, including Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Barnes Air National Guard Base Colonel Michael 'Shot' Glass, and Westover Air Reserve Base Colonel Gregory Buchanan. The Air Force Academy Concert Band, made up of over 50 musicians, has performed all across New England and has two more concerts in Massachusetts after Sunday's show. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi named 2025 World's Largest Pancake Breakfast Honorary Chair
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi has been announced as this year's Honorary Chair of the Spirit of Springfield's World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. MSPCA-Angell provides care to dogs rescued from Springfield fire The President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, John Doleva announced this year's chair successor, Commissioner Calvi, who is being recognized for seven years of service to the city and the residents of Springfield, and has over 30 years of experience in fire and emergency services. Commissioner Calvi also manages 274 firefighters, 45 emergency communications personnel, and 14 civilian employees. Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Louis Theros, MGM Springfield President, John Sjoberg, Spirit of Springfield Chair, his colleagues from the Spirit of Springfield Board, sponsors, supporters, and volunteers are all in attendance for the announcement. Commissioner Calvi was presented with the traditional Spirit of Springfield jacket bearing his honorary title. 'I am truly honored and humbled to be asked to be Honorary Chairman of this year's World's Largest Pancake Breakfast,' said Springfield Fire Commissioner B. J. Calvi. 'Being asked to be the Honorary Chairman will not only allow me to support the great City of Springfield, but the Spirit of Springfield organization as well, and all of good work they do in the community.' 'We are pleased to honor Commissioner Calvi,' said Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt. 'He has dedicated his life to protecting others, and for the last seven years he has made Springfield a leader in fire service.' The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast is in honor of Springfield's birthday and has been an annual tradition since 1986. This event, which has been sponsored by MGM Springfield since 2013, will be held on May 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Main Street from State Street to Bridge Street and features a hot, hearty breakfast of pancakes, bacon, coffee, juice, milk, lots of entertainment and activities, and community spirit. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bright Nights at Forest Park celebrate 30th season with appreciation breakfast
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Spirit of Springfield is celebrating 30 years of Bright Nights at Forest Park during its annual appreciation breakfast on Tuesday. During the event at the Sheraton Springfield, two first responders and two colonels will be recognized by the Spirit of Springfield for the service they provide. The following will be honored by Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt and Executive Director of the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management Tom Ashe: Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte Springfield Police Officer Joseph Brodeur Colonel David Halasi-Kun, Wing Commander for the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base Colonel Gregory Buchanan, Commander of the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Force Reserve Base 'It was another spectacular year for Bright Nights at Forest Park,' said Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt. 'We had visitors who have been taking the holiday tour since 1995. We welcomed new visitors, and awarded prizes to the 30th, 300th, 3,000th, and the 30,000th cars.' Will Massachusetts abolish daylight saving time? 'The Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management has been a bright light in our 30-year collaboration, first with Patrick Sullivan, who retired last year, and now with his predecessor, Tom Ashe,' added Matt. 'The department does an incredible job with the event's infrastructure, from the lights to the landscape.' Those who attend the breakfast will be given a new Bright Nights at Forest Park interactive book, 'A Magical Wonderland'. To purchase the book, visit for more information. In a news release sent to 22News from the Spirit of Springfield, proceeds from Bright Nights at Forest Park help to fund their annual budget to present events that include the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, Star Spangled Springfield, September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, and the upcoming free concert by the U.S. Air Force Academy Concert Band. This year's Bright Nights at Forest Park's 31st season will open on Wednesday, November 26th. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
