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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD For its tenth anniversary, the 2005 City of Bright Nights Ball will be presented at the new MassMutual Convention Center and Judy Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield promised the fundraiser will be the "social event of the year." Matt announced the sponsor, honorary chair and theme of the ball at a press conference Wednesday in the Rotunda of the MassMutual Financial Group building on State St. MassMutual is the corporate sponsor, while the company's new president and CEO, Stuart Reese was named the honorary chair of the event. Reese said that the company's involvement demonstrated its "continual commitment to the city" and he challenged community leaders to make the ball a success. Mayor Charles Ryan said that he was grateful that the company and Reese were taking the leadership role for this event. The Bright Nights Ball had been traditionally conducted at the Springfield Sheraton as a black tie fundraiser for the holiday lights downtown and for the Bright Nights light display at Forest Park. Paul Picknelly who is president of Monarch Enterprises and Falcon Hotels, owners of the Sheraton, said that the event would return to the hotel in 2006. The ball will be an opportunity to showcase the new convention center and Picknelly, who is also a member of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, said the new MassMutual Center "will go out of the way to make the evening phenomenal." The theme of the event will be "Northern Lights," and is inspired by the aurora borealis. There will dancing to a live band, dinner and a silent auction. Colored lights will be placed outside of the convention center to simulate the natural event and Jim Carey's Flowers, who will be providing the floral designs, said, "This is going to be a major event that Springfield has not seen before." For ticket information, call Spirit of Springfield at 733-3800. |