The Springfield Museums have announced the schedule for weeks 3 and 4 of their annual Summer Spectacular Family Series, which runs through August 12, 2016. Every Monday through Friday, families visiting the Quadrangle will find a schedule packed with hands-on art and science activities, live animal demonstrations, and family entertainment for all ages. All programs and performances are free with admission unless otherwise noted; MassMutual is the 2016 Season Supporter of the Springfield Museums.
The highlight of the late July programs is a special “Celebrate Seuss Day,” on July 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event will honor all things ‘Seuss’ with many different happenings on the Quadrangle, including balloon sculptures, acrobat performers, and a special visit from the Cat and the Hat, plus important surprise announcements. All “Celebrate Seuss Day” events are free and open to the public. Other featured performances during the third and fourth weeks of the Spectacular include:
- Thu. July 21st (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) – Science on the Street – interactive explorations of science, technology, engineering, and math for all ages.
- Fri. July 22nd (1 p.m.) – Presentation/Books Signing – “Super Fun Time” with children’s author Bob Shea.
- Thu. July 28th (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) – Outdoor Art Festival – visitors can add their art to our pop-up festival.
- Performances by Tanglewood Marionettes every Friday at 11 a.m. including favorites like Hansel and Gretel (7/22), and Cinderella (7/29).
Every week of the Summer Spectacular adds a new theme to the variety of educational and fun hands-on activities. The theme for July 18 – 22 is “Scutes, Scales, and Reptile Tails,” a week dedicated to learning about reptilian life on Earth; the theme for July 25 – 29 is “Lions, Leopards, and Bears, Oh My,” encouraging visitors to connect with mammals around the world.
Each week’s theme will come to life on Monday mornings with chalk drawings by artist in residence, David Krawcyzk (10 AM – noon, weather permitting), plus “Music in the Museums” with guitarist Mr. Zach (11-11:45 a.m.). “Professor Knows A. Lot” visits every Tuesday (10:30-noon), and visitors can also explore chain reactions by creating Rube Goldberg machines on “Rube Tuesdays” (10:15 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Wednesdays feature animal friends from Forest Park’s “Zoo on the Go” (11 a.m. – noon), plus award-winning Disneynature Films (7/20 – Earth and 7/27 – Chimpanzee, 2 p.m. each day). On Thursdays, a History Cart that allows guests to get hands-on with artifacts from Springfield’s past is offered (noon to 2 p.m.).
Other ongoing activities tied to each week’s theme are available daily from noon to 4 p.m.in the Art and Discovery Center at the G.W.V. Smith Art Museum, and themed science demonstrations by the Roving Scientist. Shows at the Seymour Planetarium are presented at 11:15 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. (additional fee applies). This year’s spotlight exhibit for families is The Scoop on Poop: The Science of What Animals Leave Behind at the Science Museum (additional fee applies). Adult Art Tours are guided by a museum docent every Monday at 1 p.m., and Family Art Tours take place on Friday at 12:30 p.m.
General admission, which covers admission to all four Springfield Museums and most Summer Spectacular Activities, is $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and college students, $9.50 for children 3-17, and free for children under three, museum members and Springfield residents with proof of address. For more information, please call 413-263-6800 ext. 489.