There will be no charge to visit the Springfield Museums on Friday, August 5. The free admission is made possible by a grant from the Highland Street Foundation in Newton, Mass.

The Foundation’s “Free Fun Fridays” program was launched three years ago with 10 museums participating and has grown to include 36 institutions across the state this year. “The overwhelming response to the Free Fun Fridays program inspired us so much that we wanted to do even more this year. To see thousands of families take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities Boston and the state has to offer is very rewarding, and we are glad that we could include even more destinations this summer,” said David McGrath, trustee of the Highland Street Foundation.

The free admission on August 5 includes all four Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle. Also included will be a performance of “The Lion’s Whiskers” by the Catskill Puppet Theater at 1 pm, and a Living Art presentation by actors who will portray the subjects of the Picasso painting Three Musicians from 10:30 am-12:30 pm.  There will also be a free art-making activity and science demonstrations. The free admission does not include special exhibition fees or planetarium tickets.

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. Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 am-5 pm.

For a full list of museums participating in Free Fun Fridays, visit highlandstreet.org.