Symphony orchestra to play live at Star-Spangled Springfield

Fireworks by Grucci at Springfield’s July 4 celebration, Star Spangled Springfield hosted by Spirit of Springfield at Riverfront Park.
Republican file photo

SPRINGFIELD — This July 4, as children play in the grass, families picnic on blankets and fireworks light up the sky over the Connecticut River, Springfield will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the sounds of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra playing live at Riverfront Park.

The free concert, a collaboration between the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and the Spirit of Springfield, will feature vocals by Vanessa Ford. It will kick off at 7 p.m., with its grand finale coinciding with the Star-Spangled Springfield firework show from Fireworks by Grucci launched from Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m.

“One of the things that I love most about Springfield is that this is a city that shows us. We show up for each other,” said Springfield Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Heather Caisse-Roberts. “This partnership is exactly what that is about. For the first time in decades, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra will return to the city’s Fourth of July celebration with the Spirit of Springfield, and I genuinely cannot think of a better partner to do this with. Because Judy and her team understand that these events are not just events, They’re memories.”

The symphony last played during the fireworks in the late 1990s, but it was staged on the steps of Symphony Hall. John Sjoberg, president of the Spirit of Springfield Board of Directors, credited Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt with the idea of bringing the orchestra to Riverfront Park.

Sjoberg said he had suggested a string quartet, but Matt felt the organization needed to think bigger for the country’s 250th birthday. Sjoberg said Springfield’s militia served a pivotal role in the American Revolution, helping Continental Army Colonel Henry Knox transport artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to the camps outside Boston.

Including the symphony at the event will add an extra layer to the event, Mayor Domenic Sarno said. “The symphony is part of the fabric of Springfield,” he said. He noted many cities have disbanded their symphonies, but Springfield has worked hard to partner with it to preserve an expression of culture. Sarno added, “It’s wonderful to have the songstress of Springfield Vanessa Ford here, as well. When she sings ‘God Bless Springfield,’ I get goosebumps.”

“We going to have one hell of a time as we celebrate the 250th birthday, anniversary of the greatest nation in the world.”

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno

When the community comes to Riverfront Park for the Fourth of July, Sarno said, “You see a beautiful mosaic of people of all creeds, colors and backgrounds with family, not only from Springfield, all the surrounding areas.” He said, “You cannot put a price tag on the morale boost these events do for our city,” said Sarno. “Free entertainment, free world-class fireworks from the Grucci brothers.” He praised the work done by Spirit of Springfield, as well as the sponsors.

America will not be the only one celebrating its anniversary this year. Sponsor Mass Mutual marks its 175th year in 2026. Along with MassMutual, MGM Springfield and American Medical Response are major sponsors of Star-Spangled Springfield.

Akers said tens of thousands of people will converge in the park. “We want to make sure that every person, that every family comes to this park, feels safe and able to be here with confidence and with pride.” He urged people who see something to say something to a member of law enforcement, whether the issue is suspicious behavior or someone in need of assistance.

The superintendent also cautioned, “There’s going to be a lot of traffic.” Vehicle traffic in the area will be shut down prior to the fireworks display and will remain that way until the pedestrians have cleared out, he said. He asked people to be patient. Most importantly, Akers said, “Come in peace and enjoy the festivities.”

Fire Deputy Chief Miguel Rivera also had words of caution for residents. He reminded everyone that personal use of fireworks is illegal in Massachusetts. “Leave it to the professionals,” he advised. Rivera said even small fireworks can cause structure fires and injuries. Because many people have cookouts on the holiday, he reminded residents to move their grills away from the house and out from under overhangs and awnings.
Sjoberg said the Spirit of Springfield’s mission is to create events that bring people together. “Every one of our events is free, with the exception of Bright Nights at [Forest] Park, which is our flagship, and that really helps support everything throughout the year,” Sjoberg said. He added that the organization’s events bring about $15 million in economic impact and revenue to the city.

“We have lots of charities in town that do wonderful work, that are very specific in what they do, whether it’s for the homeless, or the boys and girls or various things. The Spirit of Springfield is for everyone. It’s an all-inclusive organization that really does bring people together,” Sjoberg said.
Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan remarked, “When the Spirit of Springfield and the Symphony join together to put on a celebration, you know it’s going to… Bring down the house and light up the sky in a big, big way.”

Sarno assured that he would be at the park with his family for the event, and said, “We going to have one hell of a time as we celebrate the 250th birthday, anniversary of the greatest nation in the world.”