Harvest Festival Registration Closing - Friday, Sept 15 at 10 PM

Harvest Festival Registration Closes Friday, September 15 at 10 PM

Reminder: All vendors need to register online (this includes, downtown businesses and sponsors).

Payment needs to be received by Saturday, September 16 to secure your space. Go to the FDP website (https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/). Look for the yellow "Donate" button to pay online or mail your check to Franklin Downtown Partnership, 9 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 so it arrives by September 16.

If you have any questions, please contact our Vendor Relations Coordinators at fdpevent@gmail.com.

Please note: Set-up and maps will be emailed to vendors on Friday, September 22.

We look forward to a wonderful event!

Harvest Festival Registration Closing - Friday, Sept 15 at 10 PM

Downtown Partnership - General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, Sep 7 at 8:30 AM

The next Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023. 

Specific topics of interest are: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen with a downtown parking update and guest speaker Brad Chaffee from Camford Property Group regarding the company's new downtown project.

Downtown Partnership - General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, Sep 7 at 8:30 AM

Shared from the Downtown Partnership page -> 

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/08/september-general-meeting.html

Franklin Downtown Partnership: New Murals, General Meeting, and Harvest Festival Registration

New Murals Added in Downtown Franklin The Franklin Downtown Partnership is proud to present another mural project in downtown Franklin. Thank you to these wonderful artists for donating their time and creative talent to make this beautification project a reality: Amy Adams Kelly Feeherry Sue Sheridan Special thanks to the Ferrara Family and the Franklin Cultural District Committee for helping to fund this project along withe the Franklin Downtown Partnership. "This project has been in the works for many months and we are so excited for residents to have another fun reason to visit downtown Franklin," said FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana. "The murals are another addition to the Ladybug Trail that the FDP unveiled in 2022." Save the Date The next FDP General Meeting will be held on Thurs., Sept. 7 at 8:30 a.m. Guest speakers will include Brad Chaffee from Camford Property Group who will present his new downtown project. Harvest Festival Registration If you want your businesses to have a presence at the Harvest Festival, register for a booth asap. We expect space to sell out! Register Here  If you have any questions, please contact our Vendor Relations Coordinators at fdpevent@gmail.com. Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Downtown Partnership announces new murals downtown

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is proud to present our latest outdoor mural install, featuring @franklin_art_association artists @paintingvenus_ @tesno.studio and @sueprattsheridan These interactive murals add color, vibrancy, and artistic vision to our downtown Main Street area. 

The new murals are located across @birchwoodbakeryandkitchen. We encourage all our Franklin residents to stop by and take a selfie with the murals and tag us! Use hashtag #franklinart 

Special thanks to @signs_by_cam for his intricate work in installing these works of art, The Franklin Cultural District Committee for providing funding, and The Ferrara Family for funding the install and to these talented artists for their craft and time.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvpbwbiMzlZ/

Franklin Downtown Partnership announces new murals downtown

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Franklin Downtown Partnership (@franklindowntownpartnership)

Franklin Downtown Partnership shares date night suggestions for August - #ThinkFranklinFirst (photo essay)

Via the Franklin Downtown partnership: 

"Looking for some fun date night ideas for the month of August? We’ve got you covered!!  

Check out these great local spots and events coming to you this month!  

Summer is a great time to explore all that Franklin has to offer!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvc_VYpxh-P/

Franklin Downtown Partnership shares date night suggestions for August

FDP shares date night suggestions for August - Birchwood Bakery

FDP shares date night suggestions for August - La Cantina Winery

FDP shares date night suggestions for August - The Rome Restaurant

FDP shares date night suggestions for August - Franklin Nutrition

FDP shares date night suggestions for August - THE BLACK BOX

FDP shares date night suggestions for August - Teddie Gallagher's Pub

Shared from the FDP Instagram post -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvc_VYpxh-P/?img_index=1

20th Annual Harvest Festival - planning underway for September 30, 2023

The 20th Annual Harvest Festival is set for Saturday, September 30, 2023 with a rain date of Sunday, October 1, from noon to 5 PM. Look forward to many booths and attractions filling downtown on Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, Depot Street, and the parking area behind Rockland Bank. 

Organized by the Franklin Downtown Partnership, more than 160 vendor booths will display their specialties. There will also be music, food, kids’ activities, balloons, special items from local merchants, artwork and crafts.

“The Harvest Festival is Franklin Downtown Partnership’s invitation to people to gather as a community, have fun, and shop local right here in town,” said Scott Martin, president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Harvest Festival chair. “The mix of activities and entertainment we have make this community event special for all ages. It showcases the wonderful shopping and dining opportunities in downtown Franklin,” Martin added.

Registration opens August 15. The last day to register for booth space is September 15, but organizers expect to sell out sooner. Booths are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Thank you to Harvest Festival sponsors!

Platinum - Dean Bank, RI Motorsports

Gold - Floor & Décor, Notturno Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Inc, PhysicianOne Urgent Care

Silver - Camford Property Group, Hockomock YMCA. 

Bronze - Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Chestnut Dental, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, MyFM

Shared from the Downtown Partnership page -> 

https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/07/harvest-festival-preparations.html

20th Annual Harvest Festival - planning underway for September 30, 2023

Franklin Downtown Partnership: 2 updates

1 - 

The next Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7. There are no general meetings in July or August. Have a great summer!

Franklin Downtown Partnership: 2 updates

2 - 

The Harvest Festival is early this year. It is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, with a rain date of Sunday, October 1.

Vendor registration for the Harvest Festival will open in mid-August. Paid 2023 FDP members will get a free booth at the event, but everyone will need to register.

FDP members are invited to join the Harvest Festival Committee. Email Harvest Festival Event Chair Scott Martin to join the fun. Also, volunteers are needed the day of the Harvest Festival. Contact the FDP office (downtown.franklin@yahoo.com)    if you can help.

Strawberry Stroll - scheduled for June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM in Downtown Franklin

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will be hosting the Strawberry Stroll THIS SATURDAY, June 10, 2023 from 4 PM - 8 PM Downtown. Live music will be provided by Heath Nisbett from 4 PM - 6 PM and Dom DeBaggis from 6 PM - 8 PM. There will be over 95 booths full of fun, freebies and strawberry shortcake of course!

Be sure to swing by the Franklin Fire Department Headquarters to get a glimpse of the fire trucks, including the antique ladder truck up close! Sparky will be out and about greeting guests and handing out plastic red helmets to the children. 

At the Historical Museum, fresh popcorn will be served, and vintage wedding dresses will be displayed. 

Rain date has been activated for Saturday, June 10, 2023 4 PM - 8 PM. Learn more here: https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/06/many-activities-and-booths-set-for-june.html

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/weekend-fun-franklin-strawberry-stroll-june-9-2023

Weekend Fun in Franklin - Strawberry Stroll - June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM

Strawberry Stroll - rescheduled to rain date of June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will be hosting the Strawberry Stroll THIS SATURDAY, June 10, 2023 from 4 PM - 8 PM Downtown. Live music will be provided by Heath Nisbett from 4 PM - 6 PM and Dom DeBaggis from 6 PM - 8 PM. There will be over 95 booths full of fun, freebies and strawberry shortcake of course!

Be sure to swing by the Franklin Fire Department Headquarters to get a glimpse of the fire trucks, including the antique ladder truck up close! Sparky will be out and about greeting guests and handing out plastic red helmets to the children. 

At the Historical Museum, fresh popcorn will be served, and vintage wedding dresses will be displayed. 

Rain date has been activated for Saturday, June 10, 2023 4 PM - 8 PM. Learn more here: https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/06/many-activities-and-booths-set-for-june.html

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/weekend-fun-franklin-strawberry-stroll-june-9-2023

Weekend Fun in Franklin - Strawberry Stroll - June 10, 2023 -> 4 PM to 8 PM

Franklin (MA) News Summary as of June 2, 2023

The Franklin Town Council approved the FY 2024 budget with a unanimous 9-0 vote on May 25, 2023. The Town has a balanced budget with minor increases to Police, Fire, and Senior Center funding. However, the Franklin school budget remains short $2.3M from what they requested.

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen has a plan to add about $700K to the school budget and that is up for Town Council vote on June 7, 2023. Assuming it passes, the schools still need to adjust their budget down by about $1.6M. The schools and Franklin are faced with hard choices.

It may seem like tough budget choices this year but according to the fiscal outlook it will get even tougher next year. Hence, now would be a good time to get involved and be part of the discussion to understand the cost drivers, and what can be done with what we have.

The one good item coming out of the Council and Finance Committee budget hearings seems to be a consensus on truly taking some action to resolve this systemic budget problem. The Joint Budget subcommittee will be tasked with that. The Subcommittee is composed of 4 Town Councilors, 3 from the School Committee and 3 from the Finance Committee. This group has its work cut out for themselves.

They don’t need to do it alone.

An informed resident can provide input to help this subcommittee make the best decision when it comes to advising the Town Council with our budget priorities for FY 2025 and beyond.

Also on the bright side, the 9th Annual Strawberry Stroll is scheduled for downtown Franklin Friday, June 9 from 4 to 9 PM (rain date June 10). Additional info on the event can be found on the Downtown Partnership page -> https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/06/many-activities-and-booths-set-for-june.html 

Subscribe to Franklin.news to get the info on all these discussions and links to the budget documents, the video, and audio replays of the meetings as they progress.

Find us at www.franklin.news/ and subscribe for one email per day.

Franklin News Summary as of June 2, 2023

This was originally shared via the United Regional Chamber of Commerce weekly newsletter. Businesses should consider becoming a member -> https://unitedregionalchamber.org/

Many Activities and Booths set for the June 9 Strawberry Stroll in downtown Franklin

The 19th Annual Strawberry Stroll is ready to go. This town favorite is set for Friday, June 9 from 4 PM to 8 PM. The rain date is Saturday, June 10 from 4 p.m. to 8 pm. It will be held in downtown Franklin.

Start the summer at this popular event. Take pleasure in delicious strawberry shortcakes, listen to lively music, and have fun with the activities for your kids. The Fire Department and Historical Museum will welcome visitors to see some interesting items. There will be 95 booths displaying the many treats downtown Franklin has to offer. Main Street will be closed for visitors to easily and safely walk.

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.

Live music will be provided by Heath Nisbett from 4 PM to 6 PM and Dom DeBaggis from 6 PM to 8 PM. 

The Franklin Fire Department will showcase its trucks and equipment on the front ramp, including an antique ladder truck. Sparky will be giving out plastic red helmets to children.

At the Historical Museum, Greenwich Bay Brass will play music on the front porch, fresh popcorn will be served, and vintage wedding dresses will be displayed.

“The Strawberry Stroll always has a ‘special vibe’ to it because it is one of the first events in town to kick off the summer season,” said Kevin Johnson, this year’s Stroll Chairman. “We ask everyone to come downtown and enjoy strawberry shortcake, live music, great food and drink choices from local restaurants and the many interesting vendors offering goods and services.”

Franklin Downtown Partnership, the organizer of this annual tradition, 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: Middlesex Savings Bank 
• Gold Sponsors: Dean Bank, Dean College, Elizabeth’s Bagels, PhysicianOne Urgent Care  
• Silver Sponsors: DCU, Elizabeth Grady-Franklin, Fenton Financial Group 
• Bronze Sponsors: Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Camford Property Group, Inc., Encore Music Academy & Recording Studios, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, The Enclave of Franklin

Many Activities and Booths set for June 9 Strawberry Stroll

Strawberry Stroll scheduled for June 9 in downtown Franklin

We are ready for a fun Strawberry Stroll! 

Visit the Franklin Downtown Partnership page ->   https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Strawberry Stroll scheduled for June 9 in downtown Franklin

YES - RAIN or SHINE - Planting Day - Saturday 5/20/2023

Hi,

Please help to get the word out that we WILL be planting tomorrow morning and starting at 7:30 AM at Fairmount Farm on Lincoln St to transport plants downtown.

The earlier we all get there the better as the rain is due to arrive around 11 AM and we hope to be all done by then.

Any adult help that is available would be greatly appreciated.  Plan to dress for the weather.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Warm Regards,

Eileen

Eileen Mason, REALTOR®

      Today's dream ~ Tomorrow's reality . . .

Volunteers Wanted for May 20 Downtown Beautification Day (photo from 2018)

Many Activities and Booths set for June 9 Strawberry Stroll

The 19th Annual Strawberry Stroll is ready to go. This town favorite is set for Friday, June 9 from 4 to 8 pm. The rain date is Saturday the 10th from 4 to 8 pm. It will be held in downtown Franklin. 

Start the summer at this popular event. Take pleasure in delicious strawberry shortcakes, listen to lively music, and have fun with the activities for your kids. The fire department and historical museum will welcome visitors to see some interesting items. There will be 95 booths displaying the many treats downtown Franklin has to offer. Main Street will be closed for visitors to easily and safely walk.

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.

Live music will be provided by Heath Nisbett from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Dom DeBaggis from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

The Franklin Fire Dept will showcase their trucks and equipment on the front ramp, including an antique ladder truck. Sparky will be giving out plastic red helmets to children.

At the Historical Museum, Greenwich Bay Brass will play music on the front porch, fresh popcorn will be served, and vintage wedding dresses will be displayed.

“The Strawberry Stroll always has a ‘special vibe’ to it because it is one of the first events in town to kick off the summer season,” said Kevin Johnson, this year’s Stroll Chairman. “We ask everyone to come downtown and enjoy strawberry shortcake, live music, great food and drink choices from local restaurants and the many interesting vendors offering goods and services.”

Franklin Downtown Partnership, the organizer of this annual tradition, 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:  Middlesex Savings Bank. 
• Gold Sponsors: Dean Bank, Dean College, Elizabeth’s Bagels, PhysicianOne Urgent Care.  
• Silver Sponsors: DCU, Elizabeth Grady-Franklin, Fenton Financial Group 
• Bronze Sponsors: Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Camford Property Group, Inc., Encore Music Academy & Recording Studios, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, The Enclave of Franklin.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501©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.

Save the Date for June 9 Strawberry Stroll 

Franklin's Beautification Day Set for May 20

Get ready for spring. Volunteers are needed for the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club's annual Beautification Day in downtown Franklin on the morning of Saturday, May 20.

Many hands are needed to help plant a variety of flowers on the bridges, barrels and boxes in front of the stores.

Volunteers with trucks will meet at 7:30 at Fairmount Fruit Farm at 887 Lincoln St. to pick up trays of flowers and deliver downtown. If you don’t have a truck, arrive by 8:30 at the municipal parking lot near the bridge in front of The Rome restaurant. Bring work gloves, rakes and garden tools, if you can.

Students: if you have community service hours to satisfy, this is the perfect opportunity to earn your hours. You will get a note documenting your service.

Not available to plant on May 20? Volunteer to water plants for the season. There are 18 weeks of watering needed throughout the summer months, said Eileen Mason, Beautification Day Chairperson. Pick the weeks that work for you.

This season, the Garden Club and volunteers will be planting Pink Dipladenia, Sally Fun, Deep Ocean Salvia (blue), White Wave Petunias and Juncus Grass-Corkscrew Rush. They have a lush tropical look, Mason said.

 “This year’s selections are somewhat new. We try to plant for the hot dry season,” Mason explained. “They are drought-tolerant and should be quite showy throughout the summer.” She has been in charge of this ambitious effort for more than 19 years.  If you can volunteer to plant May 20th or water this summer, email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com.

Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director, Lisa Piana, values the teamwork from all who come together to make this a success. “The FDP is extremely grateful to Eileen Mason, the Garden Club, DPW and the many volunteers that come out every year to plant and water the flowers in the town’s center. We truly appreciate our many sponsors who support the beautification of our wonderful downtown.”

Franklin DPW does their part by supplying water, hoses and mulch, Mason added. They will also clean up litter and debris in certain areas. 

Franklin Downtown Partnership is grateful to the following sponsors who make the beautification effort possible. 

• Platinum sponsors: Camford Property Group, Inc., Elizabeth’s Bagels, Eileen Mason-REMAX, Maven Hair Company, Middlesex Savings Bank, R.I. Motorsports.  Gold sponsors: Dean Bank, Notturno Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., PhysicianOne Urgent Care, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate.
• Silver sponsors: Fenton Financial Group, Charles F. Oteri Funeral Home, Safford AXIA Insurance.
• Bronze sponsors: Keefe Insurance Agency, Vet Med Pet Supplies.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501©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 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.

Volunteers Wanted for May 20 Downtown Beautification Day (photo from 2018)