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John Sjoberg, the chair of Spirit of Springfield’s board, emceed the announcement of this year’s Springfield fireworks celebration on July 4.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre

SPRINGFIELD — Thousands of people will once again grace the banks of the Connecticut River on the Fourth of July for one of the grandest fireworks celebrations in Western Massachusetts.

At a June 23 press conference, the Spirit of Springfield announced that the city is hosting its fireworks festivities at Riverfront Park on July 4 from 6-10 p.m. The “Star Spangled Springfield” event, which has been around since 1991, will feature food, drinks, a performance by Maxxtone and fireworks by Grucci.

According to Spirit, the fireworks will fire off from the Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m. that night.

“I hope when everyone attends down by the riverfront … they sense all the greatness that this country is about,” said John Sjoberg, the chair of Spirit of Springfield’s board. “You’re going to hear sounds … you’re certainly going to see fireworks. We also want you to feel the spirit [of Springfield].”

Face painters and a balloon artist will be present from 6-8 p.m., according to a release sent to Reminder Publishing. A kickoff ceremony for the celebration begins at 7 p.m. with welcoming remarks, the national anthem performed by Vanessa Ford and a flyover by two F-15’s from the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base.

Immediately following the ceremony is a performance at 7:15 p.m. by Maxxtone. The four-member musical ensemble from Springfield plans to play a mix of cover songs spanning the 1960s to today.

From 6-9:30 p.m., attendees will choose from a variety of food and beverages available at the park, including a bevy of American classics like hot dogs and hamburgers, along with other delectables from Batch Ice Cream, Anna’s Fried Dough, Mathis Munchies and Elegant Affairs. The Springfield Water Department will dispense water from 4-8 p.m., according to Spirit.

During the press conference, Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt stressed the importance of this year’s celebration with it being the 250th anniversary of American independence.

“This year marks a momentous milestone,” Matt said. “Beyond the fireworks, the celebration unites all of us; families, friends, neighbors on the banks of the Connecticut River, honoring that first sparked independence in 1776.”

Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi said the Fire Department formulated a comprehensive plan to keep everyone safe during the celebration. Aside from rescue boats out on the river, he said the department’s arson and bomb squad along with its fire prevention bureau will be on scene to make sure the fireworks ignite safely.

Calvi said at the June 23 announcement that pets are not allowed at the event, and people cannot shoot fireworks off on their own, as that is illegal in Massachusetts.

Aside from those rules, Calvi also shared that a 350-foot clear zone around the Memorial Bridge will be off-limits to people. If anyone crosses into that area, the city will not be able to shoot the fireworks.

“You’re going to see some tape up there; you can’t cross the tape,” Calvi said of the 350-foot zone. “If you cross the tape, we’re not going to be able to shoot the fireworks, because we’re in the orbit’s fall zone, as we call it. So, make sure you stay outside the tape.”

On the police side, Superintendent Lawrence Akers said the city’s public safety teams and emergency management services will all be fully staffed and ready to respond to any concerns throughout the event.

He expanded upon Calvi’s remarks around do-it-yourself fireworks, saying they are not permitted under any circumstances, because not only are they illegal; they can also cause injury or death, according to Akers.

“Leave the fireworks to the professionals,” Akers said. “Every year we have numerous injuries and even deaths when it comes to fireworks because amateurs are out there shooting off their own fireworks.”

Akers also shared that people need to be patient with the traffic following the event, as the city plans to move all pedestrian traffic before motor vehicle traffic. He urges people to help others during the event when a safety concern is in the vicinity.

“There’s going to be some [traffic] backup,” Akers said. “So, please be respectful; understand it.”

The event is once again made possible by a $100,000 donation from MassMutual as well as other sponsors, including 90 Meat Outlet, Affordable Waste Solutions, American Medical Response, Charlie Arment Trucking, Elegant Affairs and more.

Like past years, the fireworks will be choreographed to music broadcast on Mix 93.1 FM and in Riverfront Park.

“God knows we need some good news with everything going on in the world,” Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said at the press conference. “[The celebration] brings the beautiful mosaic of Springfield together to celebrate music, fun, festivities, food and of course, the fireworks.”

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