What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, April 26, 2025 ???

Saturday, April 26

9:00am Ladybug Trail Spring Walk (Franklin, MA )

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Drug Take Back Day (multiple locations) SAFE Coalition

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 

10:00am Favorite Poem Reading (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am Disability Expo (Franklin Senior Center)

11:00am Drug Take Back Day (Wrentham Town Hall)

1:00pm Bacchus Buster (Pour Richard's Wine & Provisions)

1:00pm Spring Carnival (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Dance Company (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:00pm Michael Rivelis (free concert) (Franklin United Methodist Church)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  NO Town Meetings today   **

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

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 Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Celebrate Spring on April 26 at 3rd Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk

Residents of Franklin and beyond are invited to celebrate Spring on Saturday, April 26. Come and explore downtown Franklin at the Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail Spring Walk. Rain date is Sunday, April 27.

Get your trail map at the Franklin Historical Museum at 80 West Central Street, Route 140. The trail map guides you on where to find the ladybug sculptures tucked among buildings and other points of interest along the trail. The museum will be open 9 AM to 3 PM on April 26, and open 1 PM to 4 PM on April 27.

Many activities are planned: Learn why Franklin celebrates the ladybug at the Historical Museum; create a project showing the ladybug’s lifecycle at Dean College; enjoy games, crafts and snacks at Franklin Public Library. Plus, businesses will be offering ladybug-themed food and drinks, games and activities, and special deals.

More formally known as the “Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail Spring Walk”, the Ladybug Trail is located in Franklin’s Cultural District on Main Street and neighboring streets. Walkers search for 2-foot-wide fiberglass ladybug sculptures tucked among buildings, businesses and residences, tying together approximately 25 historical and cultural sites. The Ladybug Cultural Trail was initiated by the Franklin Cultural Council and The Rotary Club in 2022.

The walk is also fun way to see murals painted by members of the Franklin Art Association. Joining the trend toward public art, many uninviting alleyways have become canvases for many local artists to create colorful murals.

While April 26th is the town’s official start date, the trail is open year-round. Enjoy the trail at your leisure any time of the week. “The Ladybug Trail Spring Walk is the perfect time to celebrate spring and see all that downtown Franklin has to offer. Visit the shops or take a break at one of the many restaurants along the trail for lunch or dinner,” said Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director.

For details about the Ladybug Historical & Cultural Trail, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/franklindowntownpartnership/  and  
https://www.facebook.com/franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Celebrate Spring on April 26 at 3rd Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk

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.

Applause reopening rescheduled to April 26

"Rain rain go away! 

 

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring but she is seemingly in no rush. 

 

Applause reopening rescheduled to April 26

Due to the cold temps and heavy rains expected this weekend, we have decided to delay our opening till April 26th to coincide with the @franklindowntownpartnership ladybug trail spring walk! Join us from 12-7 pm on April 26th for our seasonal grand opening where we will be offering ladybug themed sprinkles to commemorate the day!"

 

 

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

 

 

Surprises and activities to be found at Franklin’s Ladybug Trail Spring Walk - April 26

Ladybug Trail Spring Walk

Lots of surprises will be popping up at the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk on April 26. As the Town of Franklin gets ready to welcome Spring with the 3rd annual spring walk, shops will be there to welcome you and offer fun activities. The rain date is April 27.

Look for events and activities at public places like Dean College, the Franklin Library, and the Historical Museum. At least 15 retailers will welcome visitors with treats, discounts, and promotions.

The goal is to search for where ladybug sculptures are in the downtown area. Along the way, walkers will enjoy ladybug-themed cupcakes, food samples, discounts on products and services, meal deals and photo opportunities.

Get your map at the Historical Museum, the library, and participating businesses. The trail map shows walkers where the ladybug sculptures are located.

People can walk the trail any time of the day or evening. You can start as early at 9 AM at the Historical Museum, where you can get the trail map, learn about the ladybug cultural trail, the story behind the ladybug and its connection with Franklin.

Go shopping or take a break for coffee, gelato, lunch or dinner as you walk along the trail.

Trail visitors will also love the colorful art gallery in the open space next to Birchwood Bakery. This formerly uninviting alleyway has become a canvas for many local artists who painted colorful murals.

The Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail is located in downtown Franklin in the heart of Franklin’s Cultural District. Walkers search for 2-foot-wide fiberglass ladybug sculptures tucked among buildings, businesses and residences, tying together approximately 25 historical and cultural sites.

 

Visitors should note that the ladybug that is usually found at 157 Cottage Street will not be at this location until May when the new Children’s Museum of Franklin opens their doors.

The trail is open year-round. Walk it at your leisure any time of the week.

“The Ladybug Trail Spring Walk is the perfect time to celebrate spring and see all that downtown Franklin has to offer,” said Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director. “There are many new shops in addition to the established shops. There’s a lot of culture and history too. It’s a great way to learn about our community.”

The Downtown Partnership would like to thank Middlesex Savings Bank and Eileen Mason at RE/MAX Executive Realty, who sponsored the trail map for the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk.

For more information about the Ladybug Historical & Cultural Trail, 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 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.

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for April 2025

Sun. April 13 --Second Sunday Speaker Series: History in Our Backyard!

Tip O’Neill is remembered as saying all politics is local. All history is local too. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Rob Lawson of Dean College will share a variety of examples where “big” history (national/global) meets local history stories. Wars, pandemics, and natural disasters are painful reminders of how big events can affect local communities, and Franklin is no exception. 

Together, we’ll encounter a couple of Franklin history “puzzles” and explore some of the film and digital history initiatives that are making our local history accessible and relevant right now. Bring your curiosity and put on your thinking cap as we explore the history in our backyard!  

Museum is open from 1-4, program starts at 1:15. FREE

Sat. April 26 – Franklin’s Ladybugs and the Ladybug Trail

Ever wonder what all the fuss is about ladybugs in Franklin? We’ve got the answers with historic memorabilia and a continuously running slide show that tells about our intrepid elementary school ‘Lobbyists” who convinced the state government and governor to make the ladybug the state insect back in 1974. 

AND, of course, the annual Ladybug Trail Kickoff Walk begins at the museum with free water (and restrooms), maps, plus a fun visual cue or two. 

The museum is at 80 West Central Street will be open from 9-3.

Sun. April 27 --Second Annual “Friends of the Museum” Appraisal Day!

Your Appraiser is James C. "Jim" Johnston

Antique Appraisal Day is back Sunday afternoon from 1-5 at 80 West Central Street.  What to expect? Good humor, great information, and highly cost-effective oral evaluation of your treasured items.   Satisfy your curiosity, mark something as special for your family members, or venture out to an auction or eBay with confidence. 

Oral appraisals are just $10 for the first item or up to three items for $25.  

Your Appraiser is James C. "Jim" Johnston, in the Appraisal and Antique business for more than six decades, a retired educator, historian, author. Sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

Friendship Rock Painting - "like ladybugs" - Apr 3

Join the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance as we get ready for the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk.

ladybug at The Rome Restaurant

We will be making friendship rocks painted like ladybugs. We are making them for our friend Pete who owns Pete's Nerd Emporium here in town, where our book clubs are held. 

While painting, we will be discussing the different LGBTQ+ days in April: International Asexuality day which is on April 6th, International Day of Pink which is the second Wednesday in April, and Lesbian Visibility Day which is April 26th.

Thursday, Apr 3 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Franklin TV & Radio Studio, 23 Hutchinson St

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!!!!!!

Franklin to Celebrate 2nd Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk on April 20

Come to Downtown Franklin on Saturday, April 20th when the town kicks off its 2nd Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk. The town will also celebrate 50 years of the ladybug as the State’s official insect.

Ladybug Trail Spring Walk

Walk the Ladybug Cultural and Historical Trail any time throughout the day. Search for the ladybugs and enjoy downtown’s shops. Rain date is Sun. April 21st. Best place to start: 9 a.m. at Franklin Historical Museum at 80 West Central Street (Route 140) to get your free trail map. While you’re at the museum, and before you walk, stay for the ladybug presentation and activities. 

At 11 AM State Rep. Jeff Roy will speak about ladybugs and lawmaking. 

From 11:30 - 1 PM will be a reunion of the 1974 “Ladybug Kids,” the second-graders who went to Boston and successfully lobbied the legislature. Ladybug keychains and bookmarks will be sold at the museum. Other activities include a short slide show detailing the ladybug story, and live native ladybugs will be released around 3 PM into the garden of the Methodist Church, next door.

Why celebrate the 7-spotted ladybug? 

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the ladybug was adopted as the official insect of Massachusetts. And, the town of Franklin is where it started. 

How did this happen? In 1974, a group of second-grade students and their teacher, Palma Johnson, at Franklin’s Kennedy School, petitioned a bill to name the ladybug the state’s official insect. The students learned about the law-making process in class and at the State House. In April 1974 then-governor Francis Sargent signed the bill making the ladybug the official state insect of Mass. 

The town celebrated this special designation with its Ladybug project on the 40th anniversary of the accomplishment. The Franklin Cultural Council and the Rotary Club initiated the public art project to honor Mrs. Johnson, her students, and the ladybug. The project invited artists and businesses to create and paint 2-foot tall fiberglass ladybugs.

By 2022 the ladybug sculptures were installed throughout downtown Franklin’s Cultural District – when it officially became known as the Ladybug Cultural and Historical Trail.

The trail uses the ladybug sculptures to tie together approximately 25 historical, cultural and business sites in downtown. Plus, the walk is an opportunity to view more than 10 art murals painted by members of the Franklin Art Association located in the alleys and the daffodils that pop up along the trail. 

"The fact that this year is the 50th anniversary of a Franklin educator and her students making history with their ladybug legislation makes this year's Ladbybug Trail Spring Walk extra special. We are happy to be the starting point for the walk, and for families picking up a map," said Alan Earls, chair of the Franklin Historical Commission. "We are keeping longer hours, too, from 9 to 3, and hope families and individuals will stop in," he added. For more details, visit the Historical Museum website at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com

Enjoy the shops along the trail

People can walk the Ladybug Trail any time during the day. “The Ladybug Trail Spring Walk is the chance to celebrate spring and walk around downtown Franklin in search of the ladybugs tucked among the storefronts. We invite walkers and visitors to stop at one of the many restaurants along the trail for lunch or dinner,” said Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director. There is plenty of shopping too.

The free trail map is also available at Escape Into Fiction where kids can get a ladybug surprise. Escape Into Fiction is an independent bookstore at 12 Main Street. They are open Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday 12 to 4 PM. The regular hours include Tuesdays through Fridays 10:30 AM to 5 PM The Historical Museum regular hours are Saturdays 10 AM to 1 PM and Sundays 1 PM to 4 PM.

For more details about the Ladybug Historical & Cultural Trail, visit:

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

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

The Ladybug Cultural and Historical Trail committee includes: Pandora Carlucci, Jane Curran, Claire Griffin, Melanie Hamblen, Eileen Mason, Mary Olsson, Lisa Piana, Beth Simon, and Roberta Trahan.

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.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the “Ladybug” - April 20

In 1974, a contingent of Franklin elementary school students, led by beloved teacher Parma Johnson, convinced the Massachusetts legislature to name the useful and attractive ladybug, as the state insect. 

Fifty years later, in coordination with the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Ladybug Trail walk, the Franklin Historical Museum will be open for extended Saturday hours, from 9-3 and will feature:

• Convenient access to restrooms and trail maps for trail walkers

• Sale of special hand-crafted ladybug items (key chains and book marks) created by local crafter, Rhondy Rosita, with all sales benefiting the museum. 

• At 11 AM, State Representative Jeff Roy will speak about the Ladybug kids and about the legislative process then and now – an informative topic for kids and adults!

• The Museum will also be showing throughout the day, a short Chronicle segment about the Ladybug Trail and a presentation about the 1974 ladybug kids and the 1984 Kennedy School kids that went to the statehouse in 1984, for the 10th anniversary.

• Vintage newspaper clips and ladybug outfits used by Franklin children in their 1974 ‘lobbying’ effort.

• And, late in the afternoon, we plan to release live native ladybugs at the nearby Methodist Church garden as a finale for the celebration.

• All Saturday events are rain or shine (the Downtown Partnership’s Trail Walk, however, has a rain date of Sunday, April 21). The museum will only be open for regular hours, 1-4 pm, on that day.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the “Ladybug” - April 20

Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central St, in downtown Franklin, near the fire station. You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at

http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/  

2nd Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk - set for Saturday, April 20

Spring is just around the bend! 

Join us for the 2nd annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk! 

More info and Maps to come!! Saturday, April 20!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C4HO8Dbxw9r/

Ladybug trail spring walk - set for Saturday, April 20

"A gathering of ladybugs is called a loveliness"

Via JK Kennedy School's Ann Williams we find:

"I did not know this! How about that

@jfkladybugs

? #LadybugTeacher"

"A gathering of ladybugs is called a loveliness. A loveliness of ladybugs . This very idea makes the world seem, somehow, a little more gentle"

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1748180947717992756

Read a full article online about the "loveliness of ladybugs"

https://www.animalkeen.com/what-is-a-group-of-ladybugs-called/

A gathering of ladybugs is called a loveliness

Franklin's Event Outlook: April 14, 2023 to Apr 20, 2023

A sample weekend might be: Take in a choice of music Friday night at the local brewery or winery, explore the Ladybug Trail walk around downtown on Saturday, stopping for a break with a Silent Movie, and then get an 'all you can eat breakfast' on Sunday morning, and then close the weekend with a classical music concert at LiveARTS. #artshappenhere

Friday, April 14

5:00pm - Papalias Brick oven pizza (food truck)

5:00pm - TBD The Band (live music)

5:30pm - Gay Perkoski (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

Saturday, April 15

8:00am - Ladybug Trail Walk - anytime during the day

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am - Silent Saturday (free silent movie showing) (Franklin Historical Museum)

Sunday, April 16 

7:30am - All you can eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

3:00pm - LiveARTS: soprano Louise Toppin (LiveARTS - FUSF - Chestnut St)

Monday, April 17 

Marathon Monday 

Tuesday, April 18 - Tax Day

6:00pm - Dean Neighborhood Alliance (Dean College)

Wednesday, April 19

11:00am - Franklin Q&A

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group)

Thursday, April 20

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

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 

Franklin's Event Outlook: April 7, 2023 to Apr 13, 2023

First Annual Spring Ladybug Trail Walk Saturday

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 (774) 571-3109 • downtown.franklin@yahoo.com  Ladybug Trail Spring Walk The FDP's 1st Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk is schedule for Sat., April 15 (rain date April 16). Celebrate spring by coming to downtown Franklin and walking the Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail. Stop by the Franklin Historical Museum or Escape Into Fiction for a Ladybug trail map and ladybug merchandise. The museum and bookstore will have free ladybug give aways as well as unique ladybug merchandise for sale. Please drop off items to be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry at the Museum or Escape Into Fiction. Personal care items especially needed are: Toothpaste Toothbrushes Shampoo (8oz – 24oz) Conditioner (8oz – 24oz) Disposable Razors - Individual (no blades please) Body and Hand Lotion (8oz – 24oz) Liquid Hand Soap (6oz – 24oz) Scott brand WRAPPED ROLL 1000 Sheets per roll     Franklin Downtown Partnership | 774-571-3109 downtown.franklin@yahoo.com | www.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! View the Ladybug Trail video ->