Celebrate with Pride 2025 - Saturday, June 21 from 12 PM to 4 PM

Celebrate with Pride 2025 - Saturday, June 21

It's almost that time of year again! Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate PRIDE in Franklin!

Celebrate with Pride 2025 is made possible through the support of the Franklin Cultural District, the Franklin Cultural Council, the MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau, and many generous supporters.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18sj5P8kq1/

Robyn & Jennifer talk about Pride Day June 22 and other Franklin LGBTQ Alliance happenings (audio)

FM #1233 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1233 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Robyn Baidya and Jennifer Rossing of the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. We met to record in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio.

We talked of

• Pride Flag rising June 1

• Mini flag planting June 15

• 3rd Annual Pride Day June 22

• At Strawberry Stroll, June 7

• At Farmers Market June 14, and June 21

• Monthly meeting (stay tuned for possible location change) 

• Game night location changes to Pete’s Nerd Emporium

• Sign up for the newsletter to keep informed on events & info

The meeting recording runs about 26 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1233-franklin-pride-day-june-22-06-04-24

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Franklin LGBTQ Alliance page -> https://www.facebook.com/franklinLBGTQalliance  

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Robyn & Jennifer talk about Pride Day June 22 and other Franklin LGBTQ Alliance happenings (audio)

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance: Meeting at Pinz, Apr 4; announces date for Celebrate with Pride = June 22

In this newsletter we include an invitation to our next meeting and community events, including our next book club discussion, and include more opportunities to get involved.

You're Invited to our Upcoming Meeting 

Join us for bowling and food at PINZ in Milford! 

Where: 110 S Main Street Milford, MA

When: 6:00 PM

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

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Drum roll please... We are excited to announce:
 
Celebrate with Pride will be on June 22nd this year from 12-4 PM! (with a rain date of June 23rd)
 
Are you interested in getting involved? Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities!
 
Are you an organization looking to participate in the event? Sign-up here to request space:  https://forms.gle/t2CkqitzK2BcyZfE8 

Celebrate with Pride will be on June 22

From the June archives - if you missed it then, you can catch up to it now (audio)

FM #1011 - The audio of the Franklin Food Pantry Grand Opening Ceremony held outside the new facility at 341 West Central Street. The familiar Edwin’s has been renovated to house the Food Pantry operations -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/franklin-food-pantry-celebrates-grand.html

FM #1013 - The audio of Tri-County RVTHS 4th in a series of Community Updates to share information on the school building project on Thursday, June 15, 2023 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/tri-county-building-project-update.html

FM #1016 - The audio of my conversation with Amber Wilson, President of the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/preparing-to-celebrate-with-pride-in.html

 

You can find more in the Franklin Matters Radio podcast page here ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/

Franklin Matters Radio podcast page

Celebrating with Pride (poetic photo essay)

Shooed the bug away, realizing too late

It's a ladybug, real life is exhausting 

White pickup truck, moving slow revved powerfully, 

Trying to create strife is exhausting

Joy from youthful bubble chasers challenging

The rainbow globes half-life is exhausting 

Black pickup follows the white, slowly, other direction

Still looking for wildlife is exhausting 

Many chats, introducing folks, connecting the dots 

All good work, improving our whole life is exhausting 

Painting Venus, in shaded tent, renders the gazebo

Prideful colored as still life is exhausting

Ladybug returns, that must be telling you something Sherlock 

You know reporting on good life is exhausting

Reflections on the pride celebration in Franklin, captured while on the Town Common, editing completed later that day, 06/25/23 - shared from ->   https://www.quietpoet.com/2023/06/celebrating-with-pride.html

the ladybug, that came and then returned

Second Son opened the musical entertainment

jamele with an impromptu Pride recognition

Sioo performing

Amy Adams, aka "Painting Venus" busy about her art

The Freedom Trail Band closed out the musical performances

Celebrate with Pride on the Franklin Town Common - Sunday, June 25, 2023 from noon to 4 PM

Celebrate With Pride

Sunday, June 25th

Franklin Town Common
 

The second annual Celebrate with Pride is on Sunday, June 25, noon-4pm on the Franklin Town Common.  This family-friendly event is organized by a grassroots, volunteer run non-profit, the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance.  Come enjoy performers, vendors, food trucks, LGBTQIA+ organizations, crafts, games, and vendors!!! We can truly Celebrate with Pride.  

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance relies on the generosity of our community to help fund the event. These funds are then used to pay performers, promote the event,  and purchase/rent equipment needed for the event. 

We are excited to Celebrate with Pride with you this weekend! 

Music

12-1   Second Son 

1-2    Sioo

2-3    Freedom Trail Band 

PARKING

Parking is available at one of the following locations (listed from most to least preferred):

1.  Downtown Franklin (on Main Street or Central Street); 

2.  Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street; 

3.  Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street;  

4.  Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street; or

5.  The parking lot with entrances on Pleasant Street and Main Street next to Saint Mary's School.

PUBLIC RESTROOMS

There will be no public restrooms in Franklin Town Common on the day of the event.  However, there will be public restrooms available at the following locations nearby:

1.  Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street, 11 AM to 5 PM

2.  Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street, from 1:30 PM to 5 PM

Listen to the audio recording (podcast) with Amber Wilson talking about the event and development of the group -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/06/preparing-to-celebrate-with-pride-in.html

Town Common Layout of booths for Celebrate with Pride

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12WGrOlzcCZzLnm8ORwwkK9C52iCllXcn/view?usp=drive_link

Celebrate with Pride on the Franklin Town Common - Sunday, June 25, 2023 from noon to 4 PM

Celebrate with Pride - Sunday, 12 to 4 PM on the Franklin Town Common

Celebrate With Pride

Sunday, June 25th

Franklin Town Common
 

The second annual Celebrate with Pride is on Sunday, June 25, noon-4pm on the Franklin Town Common.  This family-friendly event is organized by a grassroots, volunteer run non-profit, the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance.  Come enjoy performers, vendors, food trucks, LGBTQIA+ organizations, crafts, games, and vendors!!! We can truly Celebrate with Pride.  

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance relies on the generosity of our community to help fund the event. These funds are then used to pay performers, promote the event,  and purchase/rent equipment needed for the event. 

We are excited to Celebrate with Pride with you this weekend! 

Celebrate with Pride - Sunday, 12 to 4 PM on the Franklin Town Common

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Newsletter - Celebrate with Pride - June 25

Sign-up to volunteer for Celebrate with Pride!

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Monthly Newsletter: Celebrate with Pride Edition! Celebrate with Pride is coming up on June 25th! Make sure to spread the word and sign-up to volunteer below CALL FOR CELEBRATE WITH PRIDE VOLUNTEERS!  Fill out the survey if you are interested in volunteering for the event SURVEY T-Shirts!! Get your Celebrate with Pride T-Shirts!!!    First photo: Unisex size XL!  --------------------------  Second photo: Tapered size 2XL!    Special thanks to our AMAZING president and t-shirt model Amber Wilson :)    You get a t-shirt free with each donation of $25 or more!    You can get a shirt at game night Tuesday 6-8pm at the Franklin Library OR email us at franklinlgbtqalliance@gmail.com to order!   **Note: We have had so much interest in shirts that we have limited sizes available and may sell out before Celebrate with Pride, so get them while they last**   Join us at the Franklin Public Library for their monthly game night. All are welcome to come and play cards/dice/board games!   We want to make this a safe, fun, inviting event monthly and the more people that join the more games we can play. Tuesday, June 20th, 6-8 PM Let's play some GAYmes y'all :) Franklin Federated Church thrift shop is having special pride shopping hours during Celebrate with Pride: Sunday, June 25th from 1pm to 3pm   Proceeds are generously being donated to the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance!   You can find their website here If you are not on our email list, sign up to receive future emails with this form.

Celebrate with Pride - 2022 (photo essay)

Hundreds of folks strolled through the Town Common Sunday afternoon, checking out the vendor tents, organizational information available, lingering for the varied open mic, and musical entertainment.

The first Pride day was successful. The next one is already being planned for. Hold the date for June 25, 2023.

A sampling of my photos follows. The full album can be found here

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7Xg6xHJ5RE1opPm29

Jake Jacobson graciously shares some of the photos he took of the event in this album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JCkXhcYmehRaCZ1fA

the art wall helped frame this view

First Universalist Society of Franklin provided info at their tent

the Franklin LGBTQ+ Alliance tent was centrally located and busy all day

PFLAG Attleboro, just one of many neighboring communities represented

Escape into Fiction was there with books

Sioo MC'd the open mic portion and performed a few of her songs

group photo L-R yours truly, Melanie Hamblen, Jeff Roy, and Sarah Mabardy

Singer Krisanthi Pappas and Bass Player Steve Skop closed out the day with their performance

1st Franklin Pride Celebration - June 26 - Noon to 4 PM

Join the Franklin LGBTQ+ Alliance for an afternoon of celebrating.

LGBTQ+ and allies will be at the Franklin Town Common performing, creating, dancing, singing, eating, and drinking. 

Come to the community party!

Performances:

12:00-1:00 Singer Evan Greer

1:00-2:00 Open Mic

2:00-4:00 Singer Krisanthi Pappas and Bass Player Steve Skop

Activities: 

Community Art, Selfie Station, Crafts, Art Show, Ask a Sociologist

Food Trucks: 

Caribbean Press, Juniper Farms Ice Cream, Yai’s Kitchen

Vendors: 

Escape into Fiction LGBTQIA+ Book Sale, Chrissy’s Beads, BFCCPS Rainbow Ribbons, Love People Gifts, Molly's Apothecary, PT Color Market

Thank you to our community partners: Franklin High School’s SAGA, OUT MetroWest, MetroWest Visitors Bureau, Franklin Interfaith Council, Franklin Public Library, and Franklin Senior Center

Parking will be available at the Franklin Senior Center, Franklin Public Library, Davis Thayer School building, Oak / Horace Mann School, Franklin High School.

Please check back and follow for updates on Facebook ->   https://www.facebook.com/events/1186629228740240

Donate here: https://givebutter.com/celebratewithpride

#FranklinCANCelebrateWithPRIDE - June 26, 2022