It’s Here! Franklin Celebrates the Season Saturday, September 30 at the Annual Harvest Festival

Franklin’s Annual Harvest Festival is set for Saturday, September 30, 12 noon to 5 PM, with a rain date of Sunday, October 1, from 12 noon to 4 PM. 160 booths and attractions will fill Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central, and Depot Street. 

Annual Harvest Festival

Visitors to the festival will enjoy musical entertainment, food from local restaurants, kids’ crafts, painting and balloon art, specials from downtown merchants, unique artwork and crafts by local and regional artists. Community groups will be there to tell you about their organization. 

“The Harvest Festival is always a great time for people to gather and socialize. They can experience what shopping and dining local is really like in our community,” said Scott Martin, Harvest Festival chairman and president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership. “The mix of activities and entertainment make this event special for all ages.”

The day’s agenda is full. This is what you get.

• Refreshments – Gelato, coffee, bakery, smoothies and many other food choices at Main Street restaurants. Food court vendors will be selling great fare including Italian sausage, pizza, hot dogs, barbecue chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, fried dough, ice cream, apple cider, popcorn and cider donuts.

• Shopping - With more than 160 vendors, this festival is the perfect opportunity for residents to meet their local business owners and learn more about what they offer. Many local crafters will be selling everything from paintings and jewelry to handmade gift items.

• Franklin Historical Museum - Local entertainer Jamie Barrett will play music on the front porch of the museum at 80 West Central Street (route 140). Popcorn will be served from an old-fashioned popcorn machine, and Ladybug Trail maps and buttons will be handed out.

• Touch-a-Truck - The Franklin Fire Department will have its firetrucks out at its headquarters, and Sparky will give out plastic fire helmets to children.

• Art Show and Sale - The Franklin Art Association will host an art show and sale at its gallery located inside Escape Into Fiction bookstore at 12 Main Street. 

“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,” said Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director. “We welcome friends from our town and beyond to experience the shops, restaurants, and many services Franklin has to offer.”

Piana added, “We love to acknowledge and thank our local business sponsors who make this event a huge success.” 

This year’s platinum sponsors: Dean Bank, Dean College, Middlesex Savings Bank, RI Motorsports; Gold sponsors: Floor & Décor, Notturno Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, PhysicianOne Urgent Care; Silver sponsors: Camford Property Group, Glen Meadow Apartments, Hockomock YMCA, Rockland Trust; Bronze sponsors: Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Chestnut Dental, DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Keefe Insurance, MyFM, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Turtle 2 Properties, LLC; and Friend sponsors: The Enclave of Franklin.

About the Franklin Downtown Partnership 

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

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

Reminder: Franklin Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

Thanks once again to all vendors who have already signed up to participate in Celebrate with Pride 2023 at Franklin Town Common on Sunday, June 25, 2023, from 12 PM to 4 PM!

This is a reminder that the deadline for reserving a space at Pride is one week away:  Sunday, May 28, 2023! 

Sign up today!

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Celebrate with Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

More information about Pride can be found at the top of the form.

If you have any questions, please contact Robin Baidya at <robin.baidya@gmail.com>.

We hope to see you in June!

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

Franklin Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

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 

Reminder: Franklin Pride 2023 Vendor Sign Up Form

Thanks once again to all vendors who have already signed up to participate in Celebrate with Pride 2023 in Franklin!

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance is still accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate!

Sign up today!

*

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance was created in 2022 to support, raise awareness of, and build connections within the greater Franklin LGBTQIA+ community.

In support of this mission, the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance will host Celebrate with Pride 2023 in Franklin Town Common on Sunday, June 25, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you would like to participate as a vendor, please submit the following form by Sunday, May 28, 2023:

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Celebrate with Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

More information about Celebrate with Pride 2023 can be found at the top of this form.

If you have any questions, please contact Robin Baidya at <robin.baidya@gmail.com>.

We hope to see you in June!

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

Reminder: Franklin Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

Thanks to all vendors who have already signed up to participate in Celebrate with Pride 2023 in Franklin!

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance is still accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate!

Sign up today!

*

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance was created in 2022 to support, raise awareness of, and build connections within the greater Franklin LGBTQIA+ community.

In support of this mission, the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance will host Celebrate with Pride 2023 in Franklin Town Common on Sunday, June 25, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you would like to participate as a vendor, please submit the following form by Sunday, May 28, 2023:

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Celebrate with Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

More information about Celebrate with Pride 2023 can be found at the top of this form.

If you have any questions, please contact Robin Baidya at <robin.baidya@gmail.com>.

We hope to see you in June!

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

Franklin Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

Franklin Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

Are you interested in being a vendor at Celebrate with Pride 2023 in Franklin, Massachusetts? 

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance would love to have you!

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance was created in 2022 to support, raise awareness of, and build connections within the greater Franklin LGBTQIA+ community.

In support of this mission, the Franklin LGBTQ Alliance will host Celebrate with Pride 2023 in Franklin Town Common on Sunday, June 25, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you would like to participate as a vendor, please submit the following form by Sunday, May 28, 2023:

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Celebrate with Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

More information about Celebrate with Pride 2023 can be found at the top of this form.

If you have any questions, please contact Robin Baidya at <robin.baidya@gmail.com>.  

We hope to see you in June!

The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance

Franklin Pride 2023 Vendor Sign-Up Form

Franklin Cultural District: The Nutcracker, holiday fairs, winter farmers market and more

Christmas classics like The Nutcracker and holiday fairs open this weekend along with the Farmers Market and Dean student showcases for acting and dancing. Yes, #artshappenhere in Franklin!

Wednesday, November 30

Escape Into Fiction

6:00pm - Poetry for the People (Escape Into Fiction)

6:30pm - Pointy Strip Star (quilt $kit & class) (Emma’s Quilt & Cupboard)

Thursday, December 1

4:00pm - Tree Lighting (Dean College)

4:00pm - Lego Masters Club (4 weeks $) (Creative Corner Art Studio)

5:30pm - Ken Barney (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:30pm - Franklin LGBTQ Alliance (monthly meeting) (Franklin TV Studio)

7:30pm - New Thespian Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Dean College

Friday, December 2

5:00pm - Cousins Maine Lobster (food Truck) (La Cantina Winery)

5:30pm - Joshua David (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

7:30pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Saturday, December 3

9:00am - Christmas Fair (St John’s Episcopal Church)

10:00am - Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Market)

10:00am - AcuPUNKture's Local Artisan Holiday Market (AcuPUNKture)

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

11:00am - Bollywood Dancing (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

2:00pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

FPAC Holiday Productions

7:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

7:30pm - New Thespian Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Sunday, December 4

7:00am - “Finding the Light” (free art scavenger hunt, find clues on Facebook @PaintingVenus)

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

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

Tuesday, December 6

6:30pm - Popcorn & Pride (LGBTQ Pride event at 99 Restaurant)

7:00pm - Christmas Trivia Night (St Mary’s Parish) 

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

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

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

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

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 Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

Franklin Cultural Festival opens applications for artisan vendor booths

CALL FOR ARTISAN VENDOR BOOTHS!

The Franklin Cultural Festival is in search of 50 HIGH QUALITY Artisan Vendors for our juried vendor portion of the festival!

Applications must be submitted online at:
https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1098

Entries can be made in the following categories:
• Fine Arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, mixed media, etc.)

• Fine Crafts (wood, metal, glass, clay, etc.)

• Jewelry (Please note – Jewelry must have some handmade component. Assembled
product won’t be accepted.)
• Accessories (hats, bags, belts, scarves, etc.)
• Fiber Arts (weaving, quilt making, embroidery, home decor)
• Paper Arts
• Bath and Body
• Specialty Foods
Demonstrations of your process are welcome and encouraged.

Please email Shelley Green @ culturalcouncil@franklinma.gov with questions! 

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc-dhssssYY/

Franklin Cultural Festival opens applications for artisan vendor booths

Escape into Fiction to open an indoor market space on weekends beginning March 11

"We are announcing the Second Phase of Escape so to Fiction #bookstore is ready to start scheduling!! Escape Into Fiction Indoor Market

We will be scheduling 3 vender booths for weekend placement with the first day March 11. You can request 1, 2 or 3 days. Please go to our website www.escapeintofiction.com for all of the details and how to reach out.

We are very excited about this phase of the store!! It will bring new product and people into the #Franklin downtown, and best of all it’s inside!"

Shared from :https://www.facebook.com/100063476202969/posts/375139797945224/

indoor market space for 3 vendors

Main St sign for "Escape Into Fiction"

Franklin Cultural Festival - main stage schedule for 9/12/21

The Franklin Cultural Festival happens on Sunday, Sep 12 in and around the Town Common from noon to 6 PM.

The main stage schedule looks like this:

12:30 -> Franklin School of the Performing Arts

1:30 -> INDIA SHOWCASE

2:00 -> @ the Kid's Corner, "Puppet Showcase Theater"

2:30-3:30 -> "The Pamela Means Project"

3:30 -> @ the Kid's Corner, "Puppet Showcase Theater"

4:00 -? Salsa Dance Instructions by RI Latin Dance School

4:30 - 6:00 -> Eguie Castrillo & Mar del Norte Salsa Orchestra 

The map of the events in and around the Town Common

• food trucks on Main St
• beer/wine garden on the Hayward Manor grounds
• artisan vendors along the Common walkways

Follow the Franklin Cultural Council for updates:   https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil

Follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/186230283428825

Franklin Cultural Festival  9/12/21

Franklin Downtown Partnership Prepares for Harvest Festival - October 2, 2021

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is making plans for its 18th annual Harvest Festival, a family-fun community event, scheduled for Saturday, October 2, 2021.

The Harvest Festival will be held in downtown Franklin from noon to 5 PM on Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, and Depot Street, as well as the large parking area behind Rockland Bank. The event’s rain date is Sunday, October 3. 

During the event, visitors will be treated to exciting local entertainment, delicious fall flavors from local restaurants, fun kid crafts and activities, shop specials, artwork and crafts by area artisans and helpful information from community groups and vendors. There will also be an Oktoberfest featuring local breweries and wineries.

"We’re thrilled to be able to bring back the Harvest Festival this year after last year’s COVID-imposed break,” said Scott Martin, president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Harvest Festival chairperson. “The Harvest Festival is a great opportunity to invite people to gather downtown, learn more about local businesses and organizations, and catch up with their neighbors.”

Registration for vendor booth spaces will open on Aug 10, 2021, and organizers expect booth space to sell out. Partnership members receive a booth for free; non-members pay $125. Downtown businesses must register to ensure store-front space. Booths are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. Please add a $35 late fee if you register after September 15. Registration will close on September 20. Email Chris Peterson, Harvest Festival vendor relations coordinator, at fdpevent@gmail.com with questions about the event.

The Partnership also welcomes businesses to help support the Harvest Festival. Sponsor forms are posted on the website, or business owners can contact the office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com. Harvest Festival sponsors can promote and advertise their business while supporting the Harvest Festival. Sponsors get prominent booth locations and publicity prior, during and after the event.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of more than 300 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. Learn more about the Partnership at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org. 

 

Planning underway for Franklin Harvest Festival - Oct 2

Artisan vendors sought for Franklin Cultural Festival

"The Franklin Cultural Council is looking for artisan vendors of all types. We reeeeeallllly want to support small, independent artists and businesses who were affected by the pandemic. 

The word "ARTISAN" in this case is very broad. We will certainly have visual artists, but we will also have jewelry makers, artisan clothing, artisan foods, and so on. 

This is a "juried" craft show which is to the vendor's advantage (we won't have 30 vendors all competing to sell jewelry, etc...) 

We are expecting potentially 5,000 visitors. Booth fees for this month only are $75. "

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/1450276438659512

Artisan vendors sought for Franklin Cultural Festival

Franklin Cultural Festival opens registration for artisan vendors

ARTISAN VENDORS WANTED. Franklin Cultural Festival

Sunday, September 12, 12-6 PM

The Juried Craft Fair will be one element of the Franklin Cultural Festival, an event that also includes food trucks, a beer garden, and live performances. The Craft Fair will be made up of adult work by professional and semi-professional artisans, as well as a youth section of booths for crafters 18 and under. The Franklin Cultural Festival is hosted by the Franklin Cultural Council.

Link to request a spot as vendor: http://bit.ly/craft_fair_entry

In case the short link doesn't work for you try this:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB7ClNOwlMqzCZ1huDBJbMu_2ky4pKhjfzZla5CNT7BfANTQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3ThJup7yP1fs8eeEFkg_raK0-FQTgVhkCQNxRSZJua50zC-o6iaDiuksg&pli=1

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/399575860396247/posts/1455577048129451/

Franklin Cultural Festival opens registration for artisan vendors