Save the Date! Annual Spring Ladybug Trail Walk - April 26, 2025

via the Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP)

SAVE THE DATE! 

This year's Ladybug Trail Walk will be Saturday, April 26 (rain date April 27)

Spring Ladybug Trail Walk

We are hoping to have this year's Ladybug Trail Spring Walk be even bigger and better than last year's.  

We invite FDP business members to participate by offering a fun ladybug themed item or promotion to encourage residents to visit your business.

Please send us your ideas by February 27 if you would like to participate so we can get you listed in the promotional materials.

Send to Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com

TIME TO THINK SPRING!!!!!!

Re-discover Franklin on Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Website

The Franklin Downtown Partnership invites you to visit their website. The FDP’s website recently had a facelift making it easier to navigate and re-discover all that Franklin has to offer.

Look for us at franklindowntownpartnership.org. It’s a great way to see what’s new and happening in downtown and throughout the town. 

FDP’s new website

You will find dates for upcoming events such as the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk in April, the June Strawberry Stroll, and September’s Harvest Festival. Go to the “Visit Franklin” page to shop for all your needs by category – such as business services, medical professionals, pet services, shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more.

The Partnership works with many community groups and businesses always with the goal to strengthen our connections and keep business strong and thriving. We all benefit from these partnerships making Franklin a great place to live, work, and visit. 

Stay up to date info and follow the Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook 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

Franklin’s Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

Just in time for Small Business Saturday, the Holiday Guide spotlights all things Franklin making it easy to “keep it local” for shopping this winter season.

Find the full guide online -> https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Franklin-Holiday-Happenings---Gift-Guide-2024.html?soid=1120641810412&aid=-tD8KZw1HyI

Or download a PDF version here ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GUFd2T05Hsqb9wKckwE4ajO63AKVnCUw/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin’s Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide Will Inspire Holiday Spirit and Gift Ideas

Franklin’s Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide will hit the streets on Saturday November 30th – just in time for Small Business Saturday. The Holiday Guide spotlights all things Franklin making it easy to “keep it local” for shopping this winter season.

Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) business members spotlight their special sales, promotions, activities, and events for the season in the Holiday Guide on the Partnership’s website. Make sure you check it out for shopping, food, services, and entertainment.

View the Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide at the Partnership’s newly designed website at franklindowntownpartnership.org for the current list of Franklin’s small businesses and all they are offering.

The Holiday Guide includes great gift ideas and special treats for shopping for the upcoming season. The guide also lists special holiday events and activities in town. It gives shoppers the inspiration they need for food, clothing, and gifts for yourself and others as we prepare for any special occasion or holiday celebration. Remember to shop local!

Stay up to date info and follow the FDP on Instagram at: 

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

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

Have you planned a wreath to tell your "Story of the Season" ??

tell your "Story of the Season"

Local artists, schools, and community members are invited to decorate wreaths in their interpretation of our inaugural theme, "Stories of the Season". Our cultural volunteers will pair community wreaths to be displayed at local businesses throughout the downtown area (December through January).

Deadline for community wreath sign up is November 22nd. Click here ->   https://www.franklinculture.org/wreath-franklin

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

Sip Shop Stroll & Roll on December 7th in Downtown Franklin, 12-7pm. Snow Date December 14th.

The "Sip, Shop, Stroll, and Roll" event is the exciting celebration of the 'A-Wreath-of-Franklin' community wreath program, designed to bring people downtown to enjoy the festive atmosphere and vote for their favorite community-made wreaths.

This festive day invites the Franklin community to experience the creativity of Franklin with live music, specialty cocktails, raffle prizes, and the chance to shop pop-up artisan goods in local storefronts.

It's a day that combines holiday spirit with community pride, offering something for everyone to enjoy in the heart of downtown Franklin!

Getting Festive in Downtown Franklin - Saturday, Nov 23 at 8:30 AM

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club are joining forces to decorate the downtown for the holidays on Saturday, November 23 from 8:30 AM to 11 AM. The FHS Boys and Girls Hockey teams will be on hand to help install wreaths, bows and greenery. 

The effort is organized by Eileen Mason, Franklin Garden Club member and FDP member. Please email Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com to let her know you can help.

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.

Thank you to the Franklin DPW for their help in cleaning out the containers on the bridges and providing new potting soil.

“We’re a group of volunteers dedicated to making the downtown area festive during the holiday season,” Mason said. “The decorations make Franklin even more inviting to residents and visitors, and help draw people downtown to enjoy our local shops and restaurants.”

Stay up to date and follow the Franklin Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook at:

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

Getting Festive in Downtown Franklin - Saturday, Nov 23 at 8:30 AM

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) 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 spring beautification, streetscape design, greenspace, alley murals, and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

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/