This might help get your spring spirits up: Dorchester Day season begins next week. The kickoff to three months of Dot Day celebrations is next Thursday, March 27, as a traditional meatloaf dinner is served at First Parish Church on Meeting House Hill.

Tradition reigns supreme at the evening event, says Ed Crowley, parade committee member and former parade clerk. "It's the first event, it's one of those things historically done."

Even the meatloaf has been from the same place for as long as he can remember: Gerard's in Adams Village. The one time they almost had their meatloaf catered by a different restaurant, Crowley says, "they all got upset."

Tickets for the kickoff - which is held from 6-8 p.m. - are $12 for adults and $6 for kids.

The event "just gets Dot Day started," Crowley remind us.

Other upcoming events to look forward to in the months - all leading up to big parade on Sunday, June 1 - include the Chili Cook-off on April 13 and the $10,000 Drawing on April 24, both at Florian Hall. The Little Miss Dorchester Contest as well as the Senior Luncheon and the Chief Marshall Banquet will be held in May.

Another way to get involved with the Dot Day events is to attend meetings. The next parade meeting will be held at Comfort Inn on Morrissey Boulevard, on Monday, April 21, at 7 p.m., and is open to the public.

For more information call the Parade Line at (617) 287-0085. •••

Gloria-Ann Vieira has become the first contestant to announce her candidacy for this year's "Mayor of Dorchester." The annual contest is intended to raise funds to benefit the Dorchester Day Parade, set for June 1. The winner is the candidate who raises the most money for the parade. Mike Mackan, himself a former mayor of Dorchester, is serving as Vieria's campaign manager.

"We are excited to have a person of such quality throw her hat into the ring," Mackan said. "Gloria-Ann presently works with veterans and is a long dedicated member of the parade and several other groups in her Uphams Corner / Savin Hill community."

The dead line for declaring your mayoral intentions is April 14.