Thousands flocked to downtown Springfield for Saturday's big pancake breakfast, followed by a parade and a day of events in honor of the city's birthday.
Springfield's 375th anniversary festivities continue Sunday with a road race through downtown Springfield and more.SPRINGFIELD -- The spirits were high and the crowds were thick at the World’s Biggest Pancake Breakfast, which was followed immediately by
Springfield’s 375th Parade, an event that drew thousands of people downtown on Saturday.
The pancakes and parade were just a few of the many events scheduled to coincide with the city’s 375th anniversary, including Saturday’s open house at the Springfield Museums and “Armory Day” at the historic Springfield Armory, replete with reenactments, demonstrations and cannon blasts.
"We enjoyed the breakfast. We had a good time," said Luis Garcia, 58, who was joined by
Yolanda Diaz and Hector Rodriguez, both 62.
The trio, all of whom live on Chestnut Street, were seated smack dab in the middle of a long line of tables stretching north along Main Street for several city blocks from State
Street.
"Today is just a beautiful day with all the people, and I really liked the pancakes," Diaz said.
Rodriguez said the family-oriented, block-party vibe to the breakfast allows city residents to see old friends from the neighborhood in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
"It's just really nice with all the people," he said.
But not everyone was from the city.
Donna and Peter Allen, of Feeding Hills in Agawam, took advantage of the dry weather to chow down and soak up the festivities. They said they'd likely go home for a while, then return to Springfield for Saturday night's fireworks display in Blunt Park.
"We may wander around a little bit more," said Donna, 45, a Pioneer Valley native who
feels Springfield sometimes gets a bum rap.
"Every city has a tendency to have good and bad," she said, adding that Springfield put its best foot forward on Saturday.
Events such as the World's Biggest Pancake Breakfast draw people downtown, and many -- such as the Allens -- were pleasantly surprised by what they experienced.
"You say, 'Oh, well, that's down here? I didn't know that was here,'" said Donna, who
admits she's a big fan of the City of Homes, where she attended school for a while as a girl.
"You just get a different perspective when you're down here, sitting here," she said, seated in the middle of Main Street against a bustling backdrop of humanity, modern office towers and splendid Victorian-era buildings, many of which aren't visible from Interstate 91.
"This just gives (people) a chance to see what's here," she said. "Driving down I-91, you just don't get to see the city."
"Tell the mayor we said thanks," said Peter, 49, adding that people should give Springfield another chance if they haven't been through the city in some time.
For Rose and John Majane, both 69, the trip downtown was only a short jaunt from their Forest Park home.
The couple was among the hundreds who packed the corner of State and Main streets to watch the parade head west past the federal courthouse, then south along Main Street. The intersection was by far the busiest vantage point for watching Saturday's parade.
Rose said she has long known about the big pancake breakfast, a quarter-century tradition in Springfield, but she never attended.
"I'd never been before and thought I'd come," she said.
Like many city residents, the Majanes said they've grown weary of the seemingly endless crime reports in their beloved city.
"You just get tired of hearing about people getting shot and stabbed," Rose said.
Among Sunday's featured festivities are The Keep Springfield Beautiful Road Race at 9 a.m. in front of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Howard Drew Mayor's Cup, a track-and-field event scheduled for 10 a.m. at Springfield Central High School.
A full list of events is available at www.springfield375.org.
Besides being fun for the entire family, the festivities are pegged to the history of Springfield. Settled 375 years ago, the area that would come to be known as Springfield blossomed into a bustling river city and manufacturing hub.
In May 1636, William Pynchon and a band of Puritan followers sailed up the Connecticut River to settle the area, which grew into an Industrial Revolution powerhouse and a home for innovation and inspiration, spawning the nation's first successful gasoline-powered automobile and the game of basketball, which was born in Springfield.
President Obama's Letter Marking Springfield's 375th Anniversary