Tourism

The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) has announced the 72 finalists for the 2024 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence. The Howdy Awards was established by GSCVB in 1996 to recognize front-line employees in the hospitality industry. The 72 finalists are from throughout western Massachusetts and were selected from businesses, organizations and activities in…

As St. Patrick’s Day festivities are approaching, the renowned Aqua String Band, hailing from Philadelphia, known as the Mummers, is set to enchant residents and staff at Independence House on Friday. This performance marks the beginning of a series of community appearances leading up to the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke’s parade weekend activities. Read…

Jeff Smith acknowledged that, at this time of year, he’s certainly plugged into the NCAA Division 1 hockey rankings, standings, and something called … bracketology, a science of sorts whereby an analyst, starting several weeks in advance, projects which teams will wind up in the season-ending tournament and where they will play. Most of his…

The registration date for Hooplandia, the northeast’s ultimate 3×3 basketball tournament and festival, has been announced. Hosted by the Eastern States Exposition and the Basketball Hall of Fame, registration for this year’s event will open on February 15. Officials said the tournament had a successful first year in 2023 and promises to go even bigger…

There’s a lot to love about the Iron Horse Music Hall. Though it’s not as apparent from the outside, with its large storefront windows covered in layers of tape holding up posters advertising myriad performers and upcoming shows, the downtown space holds countless special memories for lovers of live music in Western Mass., as reflected…

Downtown Springfield is gearing up for a frosty spectacle as the much-anticipated Downtown Springfield Ice Invasion descends upon our city, promising a whirlwind of winter wonder and icy enchantment. From dazzling interactive ice sculptures to warm & toasty activities, this event is set to be a highlight of the season, inviting residents and visitors alike…

Merry, Scary, and Coming Soon If you enjoy all those Christmas movies the Hallmark Channel cranks out every holiday season, you can thank Joany Kane for her part in that. That’s because she wrote the first one, The Christmas Card, which broke cable-TV ratings records when it aired in 2006 and garnered an Emmy nomination…

It’s a big weekend in downtown Springfield as both the Thunderbirds and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra open their seasons on Saturday and the orchestra is celebrating a big milestone: its 80th season. For the 80th time, the Symphony Hall stage is being set for a season opener “It’s a remarkable achievement. There’s just not that…

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced $2 million in grant money to be used for 45 tourist attractions across the state. The grant program is designed to support projects that expand, build, restore, or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions. While this funding is to be split all across the state, some of that funding will…

The annual Hooplandia Day at The Big E Fair takes place Saturday with basketball-related activities. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Storrowton Village, Hooplandia Day will feature demonstrations and a chance to play basketball. NCAA President and Former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will participate in the event along with the Basketball Hall of Fame,…