Good morning, Springfield.

Vendors in West Springfield are finalizing their setups for next Friday’s Big E and spending the week preparing clean food and retail booths to welcome tens of thousands—ensuring all safety measures are met.

CEO Gene Cassidy and vendors like The Meatball Factory and Hot Wisconsin Cheese are working with extra time to have every detail in place ahead of the event.

Architect Aditya Surendhra earned his LEED accredited professional status—specializing in sustainable building practices—by passing a rigorous exam from the US Green Building Council, as announced by Dietz and Company Architects Inc. He joined Dietz in 2020 and now works in Cambridge focusing on multi-family housing and community centers.

An Agawam man pleaded guilty to manslaughter for shooting a Springfield man on August 10, 2023—surveillance video and DNA from a hat linked him to the crime, and he was sentenced to 18 to 20 years with concurrent time for illegal gun possession.

Police arrested two men after a well-being check turned into a narcotics investigation outside a Riverdale Street business in West Springfield when officers discovered drug paraphernalia + fentanyl, crack-cocaine, and a loaded gun in an SUV with Vermont plates at 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

River Valley Counseling Center has received a $912,000 award through the Healey-Driscoll administration's Behavioral Health Supervising Clinicians Incentive Program to fund stipends for licensed clinicians supervising interns and unlicensed staff.

The grant will be used over two years to boost supervision at five outpatient clinics, including one here in Springfield.

Basketball fans are gathering today for the Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony — featuring Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird and Billy Donovan — and city officials said East Columbus Avenue near Symphony Hall and I-91 will be closed with roads reopening by 9 p.m.

North East Toy Show

5 PM – 5 PM — MassMutual Center — Affordable options for families and businesses — Celebrate the creativity and joy of specialty toys at the premier East Coast showcase.

The Big E 2025

8 a.m. - 8 p.m. — Eastern States Exposition — $16+ — Experience 17 days of agricultural fun, live concerts, and cultural experiences from across New England.

The Big E Parade Featuring MCV

6:00-7:00 p.m. — The Big E — Ticketed event — MCV makes a festive debut in The Big Parade at the Eastern States Exposition.

Cole Swindell Live Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Big E — Tickets available — Experience country music star Cole Swindell with special guest John Morgan at The Big E.

Object-Oriented Programming in C# Training

9 a.m. — Healthforce CPR BLS ACLS PALS AHA Training Center — $1750 — Dive into C# programming through expert-led, hands-on classes in Springfield.

TLC with Big Boi Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Big E — Tickets available — Experience the iconic sounds of TLC alongside Big Boi in a vibrant music celebration.

The Avett Brothers Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — The Big E — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of folk rock with the harmonious sounds of The Avett Brothers.

New England Grooming Show

12 PM – 9 AM — MassMutual Center — Registration required — A must-attend event for pet professionals featuring competitions to enhance your grooming skills.

Shooting for Success

10 AM – 10 PM — Holyoke Community College — Community event — A transformative 3v3 tournament and career exploration experience empowering youth through sports.

Hypertufa Pots Workshop

5-7 p.m. — Zenful Spaces — All materials included — Create unique hypertufa containers for your garden with step-by-step guidance in this hands-on workshop.