Celebrate Autumn at Harvest Festival this Saturday, Sep 28, 2024

The countdown is on! Come to the 21st Annual Harvest Festival this Saturday, Sept. 28, noon to 5 PM. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 29, noon to 4 PM on Main Street and the downtown area. 

More than 150 vendors will show all that Franklin offers. Enjoy live music, great food, kids’ activities, local artists, community groups. 

Harvest Festival this Saturday, Sep 28, 2024

Food: Italian sausage, pizza, hot dogs, barbecue chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, pastries, fried dough, ice cream, gelato. Teddy Gallagher’s Pub will be working their grill. Apple cider, cider donuts, and popcorn from Dean Bank. Proceeds of Dean Bank sales will go to the Harvest Festival. 

Entertainment: Here’s the schedule at the Performance Tent located between the Post Office and Dean Bank.

• Dom DeBaggis 12 PM to 1:20 PM
• Rep. Jeff Roy 1:35 PM to 2:55 PM
• FSPA Entertainment 3:10 PM to 3:30 PM
• Heath Nisbett 3:40 PM to 5:00 PM

Activities: Franklin Historical Museum will celebrate the long-running St. Rocco’s Festival. The museum will share images and memories of the Festival and celebrate Franklin’s Italian roots. The Rome restaurant will sell pizza slices in front of the museum on Route 140.

Franklin Fire Department will have its touch-a-truck. Fire trucks will be out front at the Route 140 fire station while Sparky hands out plastic fire helmets to children. 

Follow the Downtown Partnership at:

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/   and

https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Celebrate the Season and Great Food at Franklin’s Harvest Festival on Sep 28

The 21st Annual Harvest Festival is set for Saturday, September 28, from 12 noon to 5 PM. The rain date is Sunday, September 29, from 12 noon to 4 PM. It will take place on Main Street and the surrounding area in downtown Franklin.

Harvest Festival on Sep 28

More than 150 vendors will display their specialties. Come and enjoy live music, food, kids’ activities, artwork and crafts. It’s a great time to meet local shop owners and check out all that Franklin offers.

Many delicious choices from local restaurants at the food court: Italian sausage, pizza, hot dogs, barbecue chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, pastries, fried dough, ice cream, gelato and more. Teddy Gallagher’s Pub will be working their grill. Dean Bank will be selling apple cider, cider donuts, and popcorn in front of the bank. Proceeds of their sales will go to the Harvest Festival. 

Here’s the entertainment schedule at The Performance Tent.

• Dom DeBaggis 12 pm to 1:20 pm
• Rep. Jeff Roy 1:35 pm to 2:55 pm
• FSPA Entertainment 3:10 pm to 3:30 pm
• Heath Nisbett 3:40 pm to 5:00 pm

The Performance Tent is located between the Post Office and Dean Bank. 

The Franklin Fire Department will have its popular touch-a-truck attraction. Fire trucks will be out front at its Route 140 station and Sparky will give out plastic fire helmets to children. 

The Franklin Historical Museum will celebrate the long-running St. Rocco’s Festival. The museum will share images, news clips, and memories of the St. Rocco’s Festival and celebrate Franklin’s Italian roots as well. The Rome restaurant will sell pizza slices in front of the museum.

“Downtown Franklin is a busy social center for shopping, dining and entertainment. The Harvest Festival is the perfect time to get acquainted with local business owners and community groups,” said Scott Martin, President of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Harvest Festival Chair. “We welcome friends from our town and beyond.”

The Partnership invites business owners to sponsor the Harvest Festival. Email the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. 

Thank you to this year’s generous festival sponsors: 

• Platinum sponsors – Coastal Glow Skin Care, Dean Bank. Gold sponsors – Dean College; Floor & Décor; Middlesex Savings Bank. 
• Silver sponsors – Camford Property Group, Inc.; The Enclave of Franklin; Glen Meadow Apartments; Hockomock YMCA; Notturno Home Services; Rockland Trust. 
• Bronze sponsors – Beaux Regards Photographic Art; Chestnut Dental; DCU; D.G. Ranieri Real Estate; Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.; Fenton Financial Group; Keefe Insurance; LeafFilter Gutter Protection; MyFM; Nerds To Go; Simons Furniture; and Turtle 2 Properties, LLC.

For more festival or sponsorship info, visit the FDP website at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.

Follow the Downtown Partnership at:

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/   and

https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization made up of more than 300 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 and the Harvest Festival, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, green space, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Harvest Festival help needed -can you volunteer an hour or 2 ???

via the Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP):

"Attention Franklin residents!!!  

You know the old saying…it takes a village!  

The Harvest Festival is a beloved family event that the downtown partnership has hosted for 21 years!!! But we CANNOT do it alone.  

Our entire committee is made up of volunteers giving their time to make sure the event can go off successfully and safely. If you have 1-2 hours to give on Sept 28th please email us at fdpevent@gmail.com.  

Your spared hour goes a LONG way for us!  

Help us keep this event going!" #volunteer #communityservice #franklinma

PS - in the FDP general meeting last week, they also indicated they would like to expand the Strawberry Stroll (and Harvest Festival) by continuing up Main St past Eamons to the Library. That cannot be done without additional volunteers.

Harvest Festival help needed -can you volunteer an hour or 2 ???

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/TWawF8WKNvJEYMg2/

Economic Development Subcommittee holds listening session (audio)

FM #1262 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1262 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee (EDC) held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in the Council Chambers. 

All four members of the subcommittee were present in Chambers (Hamblen, Chandler, Sheridan & Frongillo).

Listening Session with Economic Development Partners

a. 5:05 PM: 495 MetroWest Partnership

b. 5:20 PM: MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau

c. 5:35 PM: Tri Valley Chamber of Commerce

d. 5:50 PM: Franklin Downtown Partnership

The recording of the meeting runs about 95 minutes.   Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1262-town-of-franklin-edc-mtg-08-14-24/

--------------

Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-08-14_edc_agenda_1.pdf  

Franklin TV recording -> https://www.youtube.com/live/5sWJsjS7o44?si=1n0VZ3CxD4mqT98M&t=130 

Slides from 495 MetroWest Partnership -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/YJMqhE8A7YvxJiCQA 

Slides from MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/3MdnTwrkz5Tqo9Zb9  

My notes captured via Twitter/X during the meeting ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zeYxvDrjguIbC_tq-9McqDlMCB0DPTkM/view?usp=drive_link 

--------------

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!

------------------

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

 495 MetroWest Partnership

MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau

Economic Development Subcommittee holds listening session (video)

The Economic Development Subcommittee met at 5 PM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 to held a listening session. The agenda doc and links are shared here along with the Franklin TV video which is available for replay. All four members of the subcommittee were present in Chambers (Hamblen, Chandler, Sheridan & Frongillo).

Listening Session with Economic Development Partners

a. 5:05 PM: 495 MetroWest Partnership

b. 5:20 PM: MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau

c. 5:35 PM: Tri Valley Chamber of Commerce

d. 5:50 PM: Franklin Downtown Partnership

Agenda document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-08-14_edc_agenda_1.pdf 

Franklin TV recording -> https://www.youtube.com/live/5sWJsjS7o44?si=1n0VZ3CxD4mqT98M&t=130

Slides from 495 MetroWest Partnership -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/YJMqhE8A7YvxJiCQA

Slides from Metrowest Boston Visitors Bureau ->   https://photos.app.goo.gl/3MdnTwrkz5Tqo9Zb9 

My notes captured via Twitter/X during the meeting ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zeYxvDrjguIbC_tq-9McqDlMCB0DPTkM/view?usp=drive_link

 495 MetroWest Partnership

MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau

Franklin Harvest Festival registration opens Aug 16, 2024

Via the Franklin Downtown Partnership: 

"Important Harvest Festival info!!! 

Registration for MEMBERS will be open Aug 16th and a link will be sent! 

We are also seeking a few more sponsors!! 

Email us at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com if you are interested"

 

Franklin Harvest Festival registration opens Aug 16, 2024

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C-acNBZRrKL/

Franklin, MA: Economic Development Subcommittee - agenda for meeting Aug 14 at 5 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee

Agenda & Meeting Packet

August 14, 2024 at 5:00 PM

Meeting will be held at the Municipal Building

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 355 East Central Street

Agenda

1. Listening Session with Economic Development Partners

a. 5:05 PM: 495 Partnership

b. 5:20 PM: Metrowest Visitors Bureau

c. 5:35 PM: Tri Valley Chamber of Commerce

d. 5:50 PM: Franklin Downtown Partnership

2. Adjourn

Agenda contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/_2024-08-14_edc_agenda_1.pdf

Franklin, MA: Economic Development Subcommittee - agenda for meeting Aug 14 at 5 PM

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, June 7, 2024?

Friday, June 7

8:00am Early voting for Special Election (Last day at Town Clerk's Office)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Franklin Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm Kaye Kelly Trio (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

4:00pm Strawberry Stroll - (Main St, Downtown Franklin)

7:30pm August: Osage County! (THE BLACK BOX)

9:00pm Gilmartin Bros (live music) (3 Restaurant)

** No Town Meetings today

What's happening today in Franklin? 

---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events    

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

2024 Strawberry Stroll - booth locations map

For those who just want to stroll, starting anywhere and working your way along Main St and the Depot Plaza works. 

For those who want to make sure they hit the specific tables/booths, the map and listing will help you find where they are so you want miss them if you get distracted by something else.

 

Download your copy of the PDF here -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13C9a8rFo5XSb2OkOBj8RiUY533kIQXWW/view?usp=drive_link

2024 Strawberry Stroll - booth locations map

Thanks to the Downtown Partnership for putting the event together!

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Franklin's Strawberry Stroll a great start to summer, June 7 from 4 to 8 PM

The 20th Annual Strawberry Stroll is ready to go. This town favorite is set for Friday, June 7 from 4 to 8 PM. The rain date is Saturday, June 8, from 4 to 8 PM. The stroll is held on Main Street which will be closed to traffic so visitors can easily and safely walk. Come to downtown Franklin to start your summer!

Dean Bank’s staff will be serving the signature strawberry shortcakes under tents in front of the bank. Fresh strawberries donated and cut by Dean College will top hundreds of shortcakes and be completed with whipped cream. Proceeds from strawberry shortcake sales are allocated to the Downtown Partnership to help fund the event.

Franklin's Strawberry Stroll

Here’s what else you can expect:
Booths will have fun activities for children, a variety of giveaways, delicious food, information about organizations and businesses, and fabulous strawberry shortcake.

Musical entertainment by Heath Nisbett playing acoustic guitar, 4 pm to 6 pm; Dom DeBaggis playing acoustic guitar, 6 pm to 8 pm; Feet in Motion Dance Studio offering two performances during the afternoon/evening. Radio station MyFM 101.3 will broadcast from 4 PM to 8 PM. Franklin Fire Department will have Touch A Truck, Sparky, and fire safety information; and Franklin Historical Museum will be open.

“Year after year this event attracts more visitors and vendors. It's always an exciting day to see so many people enjoying themselves and some strawberry cake,” said Kevin Johnson, Strawberry Stroll Chairman.  “What better way to kick off the summer than joining others and listening to live music on Main Street.”

Event organizer Franklin Downtown Partnership is grateful for the financial support from community businesses. This year’s stroll is made possible by the support of the following sponsors. Platinum Sponsor:  Dean College. Gold Sponsors: Camford Property Group, Inc., Dean Bank, The Enclave of Franklin Senior Living, Glen Meadows Apartments, Middlesex Savings Bank. Silver Sponsor: Notturno Home Services. Bronze Sponsors: Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Chestnut Dental, DCU, Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Fenton Financial Group, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Peel Microspa.

Follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership on:

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and 
https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

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.

The Strawberry Stroll on June 7 is a great start to your summer

The 20th Annual Strawberry Stroll is ready to go. This town favorite is set for Friday, June 7 from 4 to 8 PM. The rain date is Saturday, June 8, from 4 to 8 PM. The stroll is held on Main Street which will be closed to traffic so visitors can easily and safely walk. Come to downtown Franklin to start your summer!

Dean Bank’s staff will be serving the signature strawberry shortcakes under tents in front of the bank. Fresh strawberries donated and cut by Dean College will top hundreds of shortcakes and be completed with whipped cream. Proceeds from strawberry shortcake sales are allocated to the Downtown Partnership to help fund the event.

Here’s what else you can expect:
Booths will have fun activities for children, a variety of giveaways, delicious food, information about organizations and businesses, and fabulous strawberry shortcake.

Musical entertainment by Heath Nisbett playing acoustic guitar, 4 pm to 6 pm; Dom DeBaggis playing acoustic guitar, 6 pm to 8 pm; Feet in Motion Dance Studio offering two performances during the afternoon/evening. Radio station MyFM 101.3 will broadcast from 4 PM to 8 PM. Franklin Fire Department will have Touch A Truck, Sparky, and fire safety information; and Franklin Historical Museum will be open.

“Year after year this event attracts more visitors and vendors. It's always an exciting day to see so many people enjoying themselves and some strawberry cake,” said Kevin Johnson, Strawberry Stroll Chairman.  “What better way to kick off the summer than joining others and listening to live music on Main Street.”

Event organizer Franklin Downtown Partnership is grateful for the financial support from community businesses. This year’s stroll is made possible by the support of the following sponsors. Platinum Sponsor:  Dean College. Gold Sponsors: Camford Property Group, Inc., Dean Bank, The Enclave of Franklin Senior Living, Glen Meadows Apartments, Middlesex Savings Bank. Silver Sponsor: Notturno Home Services. Bronze Sponsors: Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Chestnut Dental, DCU, Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Fenton Financial Group, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Peel Microspa.

Follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership on:


https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and 
https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

The Strawberry Stroll on June 7 is a great start to your summer

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.

Job well done on Beautification Day

Franklin’s Beautification Day in May was a great success. Despite some morning rain, volunteers cleaned out garden barrels and window boxes and planted fresh spring flowers. The Franklin Downtown Partnership, organizer of Beautification Day, thanks all who worked to make downtown Franklin colorful for the summer.

Photos courtesy of Vicario Studio 1 

Among the many volunteers were students and residents, Franklin High Baseball team, FHS Baseball Coach Zach Brown, Franklin Downtown Partnership members Chris Peterson, Greg Safford, Roberta Trahan, and Franklin Tile’s Sandy Sauer. Event organizer Eileen Mason, Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club member, did a fabulous job coordinating people, tasks and materials.  

Photos courtesy of Vicario Studio 2 

Thank you again for the support from Beautification Day sponsors. Platinum sponsors: Camford Property Group, Inc.; Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.; Eileen Mason, RE/MAX; Glen Meadow Apartments; and Middlesex Savings Bank. Gold sponsors: Dean Bank; Elizabeth’s Bagels; D.G. Ranieri Real Estate; and Notturno Home Services. Silver sponsors: Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc., Fenton Financial Group, Oteri Funeral Home, PEEL Microspa.

Follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership at:

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and  

https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

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 can join the Downtown Partnership for $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

Save the Date -> Annual Strawberry Stroll - June 7 from 4 to 8 PM

Save the date for the annual Strawberry Stroll, set for Friday, June 7, from 4 PM to 8 PM in downtown Franklin. The rain date will be Saturday, June 8 from 4 PM to 8 PM

Annual Strawberry Stroll - June 7

The strawberry shortcakes will be supplied by Dean Bank and Dean College. Crafts and activities will be offered for kids and adults.

Sponsorship opportunities for the stroll are still open and filling up quickly. If you are interested in being a sponsor, contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

Get up to date info and follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership at:

https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/
https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Shared from ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/annual-strawberry-stroll-june-7th

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.