Springfield Parks Department Announces 2024 ‘Fabulous February’ Events
Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management (PBRM) Patrick Sullivan, and the Springfield Board of Park Commissioners are happy to announce the 2024 schedule of Fabulous February events.
Fabulous February is an annual winter carnival event at Forest Park that began 46 years ago coinciding with February school vacation week. Our Springfield Parks continues its special 140th Anniversary Celebration by once again showcasing the annual Fabulous February event taking place this year on Monday, February 19th, and Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Springfield’s Forest Park.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the Springfield Board of Park Commissioners invite you and your family to enjoy this fun winter happening. Forest Park will be jam-packed with activities that invite families to spend enjoyable time together having fun and relaxing in this beautiful park. Most of this year’s events will take place at the Clifford A. Phaneuf Environmental Center (ECOS) on Porter Lake. The vehicle entrance fee will be waived for this event. Please see below for a full list of activities.
Mayor Sarno states, “We are so proud to be celebrating 140 years of Springfield Parks and offer special events like Fabulous February with many of our wonderful partners so families can come enjoy hayrides, magic shows, face painting, live ice sculpting, skating with Boomer from our beloved T-birds AHL hockey team, and more right here at our iconic Forest Park. So many of us cherish fond memories of spending time at Forest Park with family and friends – for me growing up, parks, especially Forest Park, were my ‘Riviera.’ My administration is committed to continuing to improve and enhance the enjoyment of our beautiful parks systems and we are extremely proud to that we have surpassed the $100 million mark in investment of our park system over the past 12 years. If you have not visited Forest Park in a while you will notice some improvements like the major Monkey House renovations, the installation of the historic-replica Forest Park picnic pavilion and enhanced picnic grove, and the beautiful restoration of the historic Trolley Gazebo right at the main entrance. Thank you to Parks Director Pat Sullivan and team, the Board of Park Commissioners, and our partners for making Fabulous February possible. I encourage everyone to look at the events planned and set time aside to participate and enjoy!”
Fabulous February 2024 schedule of events:
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19th
Mission Impossible
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ages 7-15 years
Pre-registration Required, Space Limited!
Location: ECOS Center
Cost: Free
Navigate through the wilderness of Forest Park and uncover nature’s treasures! Join Brad Miller of Next Level Adventures as he prepares participants for this adventure opportunity! Please wear warm clothes (gloves, hat, jacket, etc.).
LIVE Ice Sculpture
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: ECOS
Cost: Free
Watch in amazement as a block of ice is masterfully sculpted into an action deer figure.
Old-Fashioned Hot Dog Roast
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: ECOS Center
Enjoy the fun of roasting your hot dog over an open fire! Hot dogs, popcorn, and beverages will be sold for $1.00 each. Cash Only.
Magic by Derek!
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: ECOS Center
Cost: Free
Come see a blend of magic and comedy to create moments of wonder and laughter for all ages.
Face Painting
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: ECOS Center
Cost: Free
Children of all ages will have a variety of colorful designs to choose from!
Build a Bird Feeder
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: ECOS Center
ReGreen Springfield will help you create an easy and eco-friendly bird feeder that you can use in your yard!
Nelly Jungle
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: ECOS Center
Cost: Free
Enjoy an educational outreach program that brings a diverse selection of animals. The presentation is designed to provide information about the animals, including their special adaptations, habitats, behavior, diets, and status in the wild.
Hayride Around Forest Park
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: In Forest Park, starting at the Moriarty Senior Center (Next to Zoo)
Cost: Free
Our driver will give you and your family a ride thru Forest Park.
Dr. Seuss Presentation
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
All Ages
Location: In Forest Park at the Monkey House
Cost: Free
Joe Carvalho shares how Dr. Seuss’s connection to Forest Park influenced the amazing Seussian landscapes in his children’s books.
Regreen Springfield Presentation
2:30 p.m.– 3:00 p.m.
All Ages
Location: In Forest Park at the Monkey House
Cost: Free
A presentation for homeowners who have received new trees as part of the GGCP program, as well as other interested residents. This program will include live, instructional sessions that will introduce the basics of tree care and other greening topics!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH
Public Skating
12:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
All Ages
Location: Cyr Arena
Cost: Youth $3.00, Adults $5.00; Skate Rentals $4.25 per pair
Enjoy an afternoon of indoor skating and participate in this special event! Skate with Boomer, The Thunderbirds’ Mascot 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Fabulous February is made possible by the generosity of Everett Hosmer Barney.
For programs requiring pre-registration, call 413-787-6435 or 413-750-2652. Monday - Friday only, between 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. The Recreation Office will be closed on President’s Day, February 19, 2024. In case of severe weather on February 19th, please call (413)-787-6434 or (413)-787-6435 to confirm if the activities are happening.
