Good morning, Springfield.

RedFive Toys and Collectibles at 55 Maple St. in East Longmeadow hosted Squishy Saturday events that attracted children and adults to try trending stress-relief squishy toys like NeeDoh, with lines wrapping around the building + registers ringing for hours as demand stays high.

Delaney’s Market is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a 10-day promotion from Aug.

11 to Aug. 21 that offers its top 10 meals for $10 each at five locations in Western Mass. The event marks a decade of local service and community connection.

Nearly 100 Work Opportunity Center clients, with support from Mayor Domenic Sarno and Police Superintendent Lawrence (Larry) Akers, helped plan a mural depicting the organization’s history from its West Springfield start to its current services that will soon adorn its exterior wall at 73 Market St.

A Longmeadow native and his college roommates launched FunRug Studio LLC after releasing the indie video game MAGE (Mega Awesome Gregarious Encounters) on June 23 at Champlain College.

They plan to release a new game in late October as they continue to grow on campus.

Springfield Caribbean Carnival & Parade returns on Saturday, Aug.

15, starting at noon from the Early Childhood Center on Catherine Street and following State Street to Blunt Park. The free, family-friendly festival will feature live music, dancing, food and artisan vendors (drawing around 3,000 to 4,000 visitors annually).

On July 28, nearly 50 North End residents met in the Lincoln-Brightwood School cafeteria to review feasibility plans for a new German Gerena Community School on Chestnut Street.

The design includes three- and four-story classrooms with construction slated for summer 2028 and a move-in in summer 2030 (pending MSBA approval).

Chartwells introduced themselves as the new Home Grown Springfield food partner at the Summer Splash Community Event at Forest Park.

The company will provide breakfast, lunch, and after school meals (including summer eats) for public school students and plans to feature more local ingredients in its diverse menu.

Local eye doctors advise families to schedule a comprehensive eye exam before school begins — early detection of vision problems can boost children’s learning.

They recommend incorporating the routine checkup into back-to-school preparations.

Springfield’s high school vocational programs received a $475,000 wood screw donation from Agawam’s OMG Corp’s FastenMaster division — which provided screws for park decks, training props and renovations — benefiting Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Westfield Technical Academy, Franklin County Technical School and Habitat for Humanity projects.

On July 30, state and local officials announced a $93M investment in the MassMutual Center to improve fire systems, accessibility, and fan amenities.

The upgrades—planned over five years—aim to boost downtown activity and create a better experience for families and sports fans.

Several high school soccer standouts from the 2025 All-Western Mass selections are set to return for the Fall 2026 season to boost local teams — offering local fans a glimpse of an exciting season ahead.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is hosting a summer series featuring legends’ appearances and interactive clinics at its riverfront site plus Springfield Thunderbirds are promoting giveaways and community events to boost fan engagement amid rising travel costs.

5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K

8 PM — Old Monkey House — $40 registration — Participate in a run/walk that raises awareness for mentorship in under-resourced communities.