Celebrate summer at the Springfield Museums

Date: 7/7/2008

SPRINGFIELD Family fun is in store for visitors to the Springfield Museums from July 8 through Aug. 15 during "Summer Festival Days," six weeks of live performances, puppet shows, arts and crafts workshops and hands-on science activities.

The series will kick off July 8 - 11 with "Pirates and Princesses Week." Activities are free with the price of museum admission unless noted.



July 8

Performance: Mystic Paper Beasts Theater Company performs "Magic Soles," 1 p.m.



July 9

Performance: "A Pirate's Life" by Moonship Productions, 1 p.m.

Live animal demonstrations, 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.



July 10

Color a pirate bandana, design your own crown and make a treasure chest, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Live animal demonstrations, 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.



July 11

Performance: "Pirate Prince" by Rosalita's Puppets, 1 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday:

Pan for gems and fossils at the Museum Mining Company, noon - 4 p.m. (additional fee)

Art-making workshops, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Hands-on Family Science Adventures, Tuesday - Thursday, 2 - 4 p.m.; Friday, noon - 2 p.m.



Planetarium shows, 11:15 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m., Science Museum (additional fee).

Crafts and Costumes in the Art Discovery Center, noon - 3:45 p.m.



Future programs in the "Summer Festival Days" series are:



July 15-18 Amazing Adventures



July 22-25 Puppet Festival



July 29-August 1 Out of This World



August 5-8 Summer Carnival



August 13-15 Favorite Fables





"Summer Festival Days" are funded in part by the Springfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council; by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dept. of Business and Technology/Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism; and by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.



The Springfield Museums are located on the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards Street in downtown Springfield. Free parking is available in the Edwards Street parking lots. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Science Museum open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and college students, $5 for children 3-17, and free for children under three and museum members. General admission is free for Springfield residents are free with proof of address. The fee provides admission to all four museums and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.



For information, call 263-6800 or visit www.springfieldmuseums.org.