Downtown Franklin will be full of surprises on April 25 as the town celebrates spring the 4th Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk. Shops and restaurants will welcome visitors with fun activities, treats, and ladybug-themed promotions for all ages. (Rain date: April 26.)
The day centers around Franklin’s unique Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail — a self-guided walk through the downtown Cultural District where visitors search for two-foot-wide fiberglass ladybug sculptures tucked among buildings, businesses, and residences. The sculptures connect approximately 25 historical and cultural sites along Main Street and Route 140, turning this simple walk into a scavenger hunt.
Special ladybug-themed activities will take place at Dean College, the Franklin Public Library, the Franklin Historical Museum, and The Children’s Museum of Franklin.
Along the way, walkers can stop into local shops and restaurants for themed food and drinks, discounts, games, activities, and photo opportunities. Visitors can also explore the colorful mural gallery in the alley next to Birchwood Bakery, where local artists have transformed the space into an outdoor art exhibit.
To begin the adventure, pick up a trail map at the Franklin Historical Museum (80 West Central Street), the Franklin Public Library (118 Main Street), Ferrara’s Market (20 West Central Street), or The Little Shop of Olive Oils (9 Main Street). The map is your guide to the hidden sculptures.
The Children’s Museum of Franklin opened this past September at 157 Cottage Street and (hint hint) they brought the Zentangle Quilt ladybug out from hibernation.
The walk can begin as early as 9 AM at the Historical Museum and can be enjoyed throughout the day or evening at a relaxed pace — with plenty of opportunities to shop, grab coffee, or sit down for lunch or dinner at a mix of new and longtime downtown favorites.
While April 25 marks the spring kickoff, the Ladybug Trail is open year-round for anyone who wants to explore downtown Franklin at their leisure. The Ladybug Trail Spring Walk is the perfect time to celebrate spring and see all that downtown Franklin has to offer.
“The Ladybug Trail Spring Walk offers a relaxed, family-friendly way to celebrate spring while discovering the history, art, and local businesses that make Franklin unique,” said Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director.
Visit FDP on social media for more details -
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501c3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents can join the Downtown Partnership for only $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll, the Harvest Festival, the Ladybug Historical & Cultural Trail, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.
