Franklin’s 21st Annual Strawberry Stroll was a huge success. Main Street was filled with thousands of people of all ages and more than 125 vendors enjoying the start of summer and strawberry season.
A record number of shortcakes were sold. Proceeds go toward next year’s Stroll. Both vendors and visitors loved the celebration all the way from the Little Shop parking lot to Franklin Library.
Dean College’s Bulldog inflatable mascot was on the front lawn at Ray House on their campus where kids played. At the library, a bubble machine had kids chasing bubbles near the Benjamin Franklin statue. Next to the bubbles, kids played Inflatable ball games, chalk art on the walkway and cornhole on the lawn.
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| record number of shortcakes were sold |
In the middle of Main, music from Dom DeBaggis and Heath Nisbett filled the afternoon air. At Dean College the Padula Band played jazz and blues tunes; Rep. Jeff Roy entertained with his great guitar playing. The Desi Swag Dancers performed in colorful costumes. Fun pop music backed up Feet in Motion while they danced in the street.
The Franklin Historical Museum staff introduced their strawberry patch in front of the museum on route 140. Alan Earls, Chair of the Historical Commission, spoke about the legacy and importance of Franklin’s agricultural history. Next door, the First United Methodist Church opened their doors for people to shop the huge display of recycled and upcycled clothing at their Community Closet.
“This year's Strawberry Stroll was such an incredible event. We are already getting great feedback from vendors on how much they liked how the event went straight up Main Street to the Library,” Scott Martin said, president of Franklin Downtown Partnership, organizer of the stroll. “The crowds were bigger than ever, we hit our high mark for the Strawberry Stroll.”
A big thank you Denise Pearson and the Dean Bank staff as well as Bill Ingram, Dean College and FDP Board member, and the Dean College staff who prepared and dished out a record number of strawberry shortcakes this year, Martin added.
Thank you to MyFM Radio 101.3 for broadcasting live all day. Special thanks to all our volunteers; Kevin Johnson, Stroll event chair; Scott Martin, FDP president who coordinated the day; and Roberta Trahan and Pandora Carlucci, vendor coordinators.
Thank you again to the Strawberry Stroll sponsors, said Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director. And many thanks to the police, DPW, and all who help make this event a success each year.
Follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership and keep up with their many activities on:
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, residents, and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. Residents are welcome to join the Downtown Partnership for only $25. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.
Additional Franklin Matters photos of the event ->
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