Agenda

For more events, or to submit your upcoming events, visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar

Free Music Fridays

Through Sept. 5: Summer in New England starts early this year as live music returns to MGM Springfield with the Free Music Fridays Concert Series. Every Friday through Sept. 5, some of the area’s most popular bands and national artists will perform on the Plaza at MGM Springfield in the city’s South End, starting at 7:30 p.m. (weather permitting), with the exception of the July 4 performance, which will begin at 6 p.m. Local favorites such as Trailer Trash, Back in Black, Malado!, and Aquanett will return to the stage, along with newcomers including Neon 90’s, Green Day tribute Dookie, the music of Billy Joel and Elton John with Billy and the Jets, and Springsteen rockers Tramps Like Us. MGM Springfield will continue its partnership with White Lion Brewing to provide guests with a wide selection of craft beer during each Free Music Fridays concert. The series will also feature local food trucks, including Dev’s Mac N Eats, Batch Ice Cream, Wake the Dead Donuts, Jeannie’s Weenies, and the return of MGM Springfield’s Guac This Way.

Bountiful Bowls

June 10: Rchel’s Table of Western Massachusetts announced its biennial signature event, Bountiful Bowls: Growing Community Together, taking place at 5:30 p.m. at the Springfield Marriott Hotel. This powerful evening will honor the resilience and generosity of the local community in the fight against food insecurity. Hosted by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno (honorary chair) and emcee Barry Kriger, the event will spotlight the transformative work of Rachel’s Table and celebrate leaders who have made a profound impact in Western Mass. Honorees include Ellen Gold, Change Agent Award; Jill and Jim Stewart, Community Connectors Award; and the employees and community of Westfield Bank, Leading with Community: Newcomer Award. Rachel’s Table continues to combat food insecurity across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. In 2024 alone, the organization delivered more than 925,000 pounds of healthy food; sponsored 57 gleans, harvesting more than 50,000 pounds of fresh produce from local farms; and supported 10 community gardens led by youth and seniors. With hunger affecting nearly half of households in Hampden County and over one-third in neighboring counties, Bountiful Bowls raises critical funds and awareness for Rachel’s Table’s programs that deliver immediate relief and build long-term food security. Visit www.feedwma.org to learn more and register for tickets or donate.

40 Under Forty

June 19: BusinessWest will celebrate the 19th annual 40 Under Forty Gala at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The class of 2025 is profiled in the April 28 issue and at businesswest.com. The presenting sponsor of this year’s 40 Under Forty is PeoplesBank. Partner sponsors include Live Nation Premium, Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, and the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Health New England is the presenting sponsor of the Alumni Achievement Award, the winner of which will be announced at the gala. Tickets cost $125. If they are not sold out, they may be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/40-under-forty-event-gala.

Hooplandia 2025

June 20-22: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney and festival, at hooplandia.com. The event will take place at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Games will be played at the ESE complex, with special games held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, 75 basketball courts allowed accommodation for more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Diverse divisions include young girls and boys, women, men, high-school ages, college level, OGs, veterans, and more. Fees range according to age. Players in the Special Olympics and Unified division can look forward to free registration, and those in the Hoops & Heroes division, such as active and retired first responders and military personnel, have access to discounted registration. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name, design their uniforms, and register at hooplandia.com.

Whip City Animal Sanctuary Golf Tournament

June 28: Whip City Animal Sanctuary will host its fifth annual golf tournament fundraiser at St. Anne’s Country Club, 781 Shoemaker Lane, Feeding Hills. The tournament starts at 12:30 p.m. with dinner following at 5:30 p.m. There will be contests, raffle prizes, a free T-shirt for the first 50 players, and a cash bar. The registration fee is $125 per player and includes a cart and dinner following the tournament. The deadline to register is June 18. For additional details and forms, visit Whip City Animal Sanctuary’s website or Facebook page, or email Sonia Henderson at [email protected]. Whip City Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a caring, safe, and long-term home for abandoned, rescued, and surrendered farm animals. It pays for all veterinary care, food, and shelter for these animals and is open for public visiting hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon.

Feed the Kids Charity Golf Tournament

July 14: Feed the Kids, a local nonprofit focused on fighting childhood hunger, is seeking sponsors and donated auction items for its eighth annual Feed the Kids Charity Golf Tournament at Springfield Country Club. The event, which will include an online auction open to all, benefits local organizations that work to ensure children do not go hungry, including Square One, the Holyoke Weekend Backpack Program, Pioneer Valley Powerpacks, and Team No Kid Hungry. Local individuals and businesses can also support the cause by donating items or services for the silent auction portion of the event. The online auction will be open to the community for bids beginning on July 1 and will end on July 14, the day of the golf tournament. For more information or to sponsor the event, visit feedthekidsgolf.com and click ‘Register Now.’ To donation auction items, email Kadushin at [email protected].