Family fun is in store for visitors to the Springfield Museums from July 8 through August 15 during "Summer Festival Days," six-weeks of live performances, 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. Tuesday, July 8 Performance: Mystic Paper Beasts Theater Company performs "Magic Soles," 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 Performance: "A Pirate's Life" by Moonship Productions, 1 p.m. Live animal demonstrations, 12:15-12:45 p.m. Thursday, 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. Friday, 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, Tues. – Thurs., 2-4 p.m.; Fri., noon-2 p.m. Planetarium shows, 11:15 a.m., noon, 1 & 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