Page 13 - BusinessWest September 4, 2023

“When I first started in the fair industry, there were hamburgers and hot dogs and cotton candy and candied apples; there was a guy who made sausages. Today, the quality of food, the abundance of it, and the diversity of it
are significantly different.”
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West Springfield
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through several area communities, including West Springfield — and a stretch of the Connecticut River for the swimming part of the competition.
He finished in just under seven and half hours — the top finish- ers came in at just over four hours — a time that he will look to improve upon next year (yes, he’s already committing to doing it again).
“I bought an Ironman training guide and wrote my time for this year and my projected time for next year,” he said, adding that the target for the 2024 event is to get under six hours. “If I start train- ing now, I think I can get there.”
The Ironman is one of many events already on the 2024 cal- endar — or soon to announce official dates — that will take on the flavor of the 250th anniversary, everything from St. Patrick’s Day activities to the block party, which will embody elements of a Taste of West Springfield event that was a staple in the community for many years.
Overall, planning for the 250th is ongoing and will ramp up over the coming months, said Reichelt, noting that, while the actual 250th birthday is Feb. 25, this will be a year-long celebration.
By the time it’s over, some major thoroughfares will look con- siderably different, he said, starting with Memorial Avenue. By this time next year, a project that has been nearly a decade in the mak- ing will be well underway, he noted, adding that highlights of the ambitious undertaking, designed to improve traffic flow, will include a reduction of lanes from four to three along a stretch by the Big
E, with reconstruction of traffic islands to allow for better turning in and out of businesses along the street. The stretch from Union Street to the Memorial Bridge will also feature a bike lane.
In addition, water and sewer mains are being replaced, and drainage systems will
be improved, he said, adding that the project will take several years to
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Gene Cassidy says the Big E came close to setting a new 17-day attendance record in 2022, and if the weather cooperates, it might accomplish that feat this year.
Staff Photo
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