The May 14 celebration includes a pancake breakfast, parade and fireworks.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, right, accepts a 375th birthday cake, complete with candles, made by Shaolyn Soto, left, a senior at Putnam Vocational High School. Looking on is Tiera Porter, also a senior at Putnam.
Donald D'Amour, chairman and chief executive officer for Big Y World Class Markets, speaks during the press conference on Springfield's 375th anniversary celebration.
Massachusetts National Guard Col. Peter Green speaks about the 375th celebration.SPRINGFIELD – City officials, business leaders, and volunteers young and old gathered at City Hall on Wednesday to announce plans for a day-long program on May 14, including a pancake breakfast, parade and fireworks, that will kick off the city’s 375th anniversary celebration.
The participants and sponsors, joined by Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, shared a candle-lit birthday cake, sang happy birthday, and detailed the kick-off celebration plans during a press conference at City Hall.
“May 14 will be a spectacular day,” said Judith A. Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield, which is presenting the event.
The cake was provided by students from the Putnam Vocational Technical High School culinary program.
The celebration will begin with the annual World’s Largest Pancake breakfast, from 8 to 11 a.m., on Main Street in downtown Springfield.
At 9:30 a.m., hundreds of public school students will perform the “Springfield Song,” the “Pancake Song” and some patriotic tunes.
The Springfield’s 375th Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Springfield Technical Community College, traveling along State Street to Main Street and Mill Street. The parade will include thousands of participants, including neighborhood, veterans groups, the Massachusetts National Guard and community organizations, Matt said.
A concert is planned at Blunt Park by more than 100 members of the Sci-Tech Jazz Band, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., followed by a fireworks show, sponsored by Big Y.
Other events include:
• the Springfield Museums will host various activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including a scavenger hunt, a performance of traditional songs and music, and an early American art activity
• the Springfield Armory will host Armory Day from 1 to 5 p.m., including re-enactments, demonstrations and firings.