Page 10 - BusinessWest September 4, 2023

Mayor Will Reichelt says planning is underway for West Springfield’s 250th birthday, with anniversary-themed events slated for each month of the year.
File Photo
Americans have plowed through most of the money they saved dur- ing the pandemic and are now taking on more debt, attendance at fairs like the Big E is up, said Cassidy, who believes such institu- tions provide what people are looking for these days.
“We represent the very best of the American way of life,” he said. “The fair is a place for family and friends and camaraderie. The Wisconsin fair recently ended, and they had amazing atten-
On a Good Run
Reichelt was among the competitors at the recent Ironman compe- tition that wove its way
West Springfield
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dance, and Indiana is going on now, and they had a few record-setting days. People gravitate toward that which satisfies the need for human interaction. Even in years when we have high inflation, people may sacrifice a trip to Disney or a trip to Boston for a Red Sox game to get together with family at the fair.”
The ramp-up to the Big E is always big news in West Springfield, and this year is no exception. But there are other developing stories, as they say, starting with the community’s 250th birthday in 2024; a major, as in major, upgrade of Memorial Avenue, the mailing address for the Big E and many other businesses; and the opening of the town’s first cannabis enterprises.
Mayor Will Reichelt said planning for the 250th is well underway, with a full slate of events set, starting early in 2024 and continuing throughout the year.
That slate includes a 250th Leap Year celebration on Feb. 29, with specifics to be determined; a 250th Ball, slated for May 18; a parade and block party in June; a golf tournament and 5K in July; a parade in August ... you get the idea.
As for the massive, $26 million upgrade to Memori- al Avenue, work is already underway, said Reichelt, not- ing tree-removal work and other initiatives, and it will ramp up considerably over the next few years, bringing improvement to a major thoroughfare, but undoubtedly
some headaches as well.
For this, the latest installment of its Community Spotlight series,
BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at West Springfield and the many things happening in this community, starting with the annual fair.
“Even in years when we have high inflation, people may sacrifice a trip to Disney or a trip to Boston for a Red Sox game to get together with family at the fair.”
10 SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 << COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT >>
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