Franklin Downtown Partnership Coordinating the 2021 Harvest Festival - Oct 2, 2021

The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) is forging ahead with planning the 2021 Harvest Festival based on the decrease in COVID-19 cases and the planned widespread vaccination by the fall. The FDP is optimistic that the town can resume its Harvest Festival this year on Saturday, Oct. 2 with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.

Held every autumn, with the exception of last year, the Harvest Festival draws thousands of people to the closed-off streets of downtown Franklin to enjoy community, entertainment, food, art, kids activities, and more. 

“With recent developments with increased vaccine accessibility, a number of FDP members and people throughout the community are seeing some light ahead,” said Scott Martin, president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Board. “Knowing how we all want to be together again, and how much people want to return to the kind of events that bring our community together, our FDP will move forward with planning our Harvest Festival for the first Saturday in October.”

The Strawberry Stroll, normally held in June, has been canceled for 2021 but the FDP is looking forward to hosting it again in 2022!

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of more than 350 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area.  https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

 

Planning underway for Franklin Harvest Festival - Oct 2

Boston Globe: Black History Month - Film Festival

"At this pivotal moment in our nation's history, The Boston Globe honors films and filmmakers documenting the Black experience and the continued plight of systemic racism in the United States. Join us throughout the month of February to view and discuss newly-released films alongside time-honored classics. "

Find the schedule of films for the festival here (subscription may be required)
https://blackhistorymonthfilmfestival.splashthat.com/ 

Boston Globe: Black History Month - Film Festival

Franklin Downtown Partnership Plans 2021 Harvest Festival

The Board of Directors of the Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) has voted on the date for the 2021 Harvest Festival, a family fun, community event. It will be the first weekend in October: Saturday, October 2 with a rain date of Sunday, October 3. This is subject to change, but the FDP is optimistic and hopeful that by October, it will be able to have a huge Franklin event.

“The Franklin Downtown Partnership has worked hard throughout 2020 to support our members and local businesses with our Keep it Local and Light Up Downtown Franklin initiatives, and we’re proud that we’ve been able to promote businesses without being able to stage our signature Strawberry Stroll and Harvest Festival events,” said Scott Martin, president of the FDP Board of Directors. “With recent developments with the vaccine providing some hope for the spring and summer next year, a number of FDP members and people throughout the community are seeing some light ahead, even if it feels a long way off, and they are asking us when the Harvest Festival will be. Knowing how we all want to be together again, and how much people want to return to the kind of events that brought our community together, our FDP will move forward with planning our Harvest Festival for the first Saturday in October.”

The status of the Strawberry Stroll, normally held in June, is to be determined based on COVID-19 circumstances.

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.

For more about the Downtown Partnership visit    https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/
 

Franklin Downtown Partnership Plans 2021 Harvest Festival

2020 National Book Festival Highlights: Mo Willems

 

"Mo Willems, he of the wildly popular books for young people like the Pigeon series and Elephant & Piggie Biggie series, thinks the kids are all right.

“I think the kids are fine. I really do,” he said to Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in an exclusive video interview. I think it’s us, the old people, that need some help, that need to stop and look and listen to these ambassadors, these ambassadors of exploration, of creativity, of asking questions.”

The three-time Caldecott Medal winner spoke about his creative process and the “idea garden” of random doodles that inspires his stories and art. He launched his recent books, “An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 3” (Hyperion) and “Unlimited Squirrels: I Want to Sleep Under the Stars” (Hyperion), at the 2020 National Book Festival."

Continue reading the article online

https://blogs.loc.gov/national-book-festival/2020/11/2020-national-book-festival-highlights-mo-willems/

 

couRAEgeous Pumpkin Festival - Oct 24, 2020

Visit Fairmount Farm on Monday, buy and paint a pumpkin to join in the festival

Fairmount Farm  http://www.fairmountfruit.com/

couRAEgeous Pumpkin Festival - Oct 24, 2020

Hat tip to Mr Hanna for sharing this  @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS https://t.co/pKGrGOdA0e

Harvest Festival 2020 Canceled - New Initiatives Coming Soon

Due to the ongoing pandemic and its social distancing guidelines, the board of the Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) has canceled this year’s Harvest Festival originally scheduled for Oct. 3. Instead, the FDP is planning to have smaller events during the holiday season to encourage residents to shop downtown Franklin.

“These are challenging times for our local businesses,” said Lisa Piana, executive director of the FDP. “We are eager to help those businesses in whatever way we can. We have a list of exciting new initiatives for the coming fall and holiday season including our Holiday Happenings.”

On its website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, the FDP has a list of local business updates so residents can easily access information about those businesses, such as which ones are offering outside dining, curbside pick-up and gift certificates. Businesses who would like to be included in that list can email the FDP office at downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com. 

“We encourage residents to support Franklin businesses and to shop local whenever possible,” Piana added. 

The next general meeting of the FDP will be Thurs., Sept. 10 at 8:30 AM. Anyone interested in joining the Zoom meeting is welcome. Please email the Partnership for sign-in information. 

To help fund Holiday Happenings, as well as other fall and winter projects, the FDP is seeking sponsorships. Please contact the FDP for specific sponsorship information. 

Residents can support the Partnership and our local businesses by becoming FDP resident members for only $25. Membership is tax deductible. Join online through the Partnership’s website. 

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of nearly 300 businesses, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. Visit www.franklindowntownpartnership.org for more information. 

Harvest Festival 2020 Canceled - New Initiatives Coming Soon

Franklin Downtown Partnership 2020 Calendar of events

Time to set some events on the calendar as we get closer to 2020. Here is the Franklin Downtown Partnership listing of the major events (Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival) and minor events (general meetings, networking breakfasts, etc.) to put on your planning calendar.

Residents can join the Partnership for only $25/year, students and senior citizens for only $15/year. For more about the Downtown Partnership, visit their web page  https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Franklin Downtown Partnership 2020 Calendar of events

Disclosure: I am proud to be a member of the Downtown Partnership since 2010

Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Largest Harvest Festival - October 5

More than 160 vendors, crafters, exhibitors and groups will participate in this celebration of the arrival of autumn! The festival will take place on Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, Depot Street, and the large parking area be- hind Rockland Bank. Dean Bank will be selling cider doughnuts and warm cider, with proceeds supporting Partnership events, in front of the bank. 

“The Harvest Festival is our opportunity to invite people to gather in downtown and have fun experiencing the local businesses throughout our community that are unique to this area,” said Scott Martin, president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and event chairperson. “The mix of activities and entertainment we have for this year’s festival will make this community event special for all ages, while showcasing the wonderful shopping and dining opportunities in downtown.” 

There will be an abundance of entertainment at the Harvest Festival. Dean Bank will host Dancing on Dean, featuring the bands Ben Gardner’s Boat and The Noyz. Other entertainment includes fashion shows by Dynasty Models and Talent, performances by Feet in Motion Dance Studio at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM, and live broadcasting by MyFM 101.3. 

During the Harvest Festival, the Franklin Historical Museum will be open and serving seasonal favorites. The Franklin Art Association will host “Autumn Splendor,” a fine art painting and photography exhibit in the Rockland Trust building next to the bank. Attendees may vote for a “People’s Choice” award. 

The Children’s Area, located in the parking lot behind Rockland Trust, will feature a petting zoo and Ruby’s Ice Cream Truck. Additionally, the Franklin Fire Department will host its always-popular Touch-a-Truck event, and Bobo the Clown will be creating balloon animals.
During the Harvest Festival, Main Street, and portions of Dean and Depot Streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic. 

“We fully expect this year’s event to be our largest-ever Harvest Festival. This year, we have more vendors, a wider variety of foods and an Oktoberfest celebration,” said Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana. “As always, we have lots of live entertainment lined for this fun, family event. We thank our local sponsors who make this event possible!” 

Silver sponsors for the Harvest Festival are Dean Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank and Rockland Trust. 

Bronze sponsors are Atria - Franklin, Arcadia Dental, Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill, Bernon Family Branch YMCA, Chestnut Dental, DCU, Dynasty Models and Talent, Fenton Financial Group, Franklin Ford, Franklin Cultural District, Glen Meadows Apartments, Keefe Insurance, and LaCantina Winery. 

Friends sponsors are Bank of America, Beaux Regards Photographic Art, Cam- ford Property Group, Charles River Bank, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Encore Mu- sic Academy & Recording Studios, Franklin Glass Company, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Mint Dental of Franklin, MyFM 101.3, Rescom Exteriors, and Simon’s Furniture. 

Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Largest Harvest Festival - October 5

Franklin Art Association:"Autumn Splendor" Fall Art Exhibition on October 5, 2019

The Franklin Art Association is proud to present our membership's fine art painting and photography exhibition, "Autumn Splendor" on October 5, 2019. Held in conjunction with the Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival, the art exhibition will take place from 12 noon to 6 PM in the Rockland Trust Annex, 44 Main Street, Franklin, Massachusetts. Rain date for the exhibition and the Harvest Festival is Sunday, October 6, 2019.

The FAA's Fall Art Exhibition includes works in oil, acrylic, water media, photography, pastel, and mixed media. In addition to the exhibited works, small works and unframed art will be available for purchase. There will also be a pop-up tent outdoors in front of the building with original art on display for sale.

Attendees may vote for a "People's Choice" award.

For more information about the FAA, go to www.franklinart.org

Franklin Art Association:"Autumn Splendor" Fall Art Exhibition

Adult volunteers needed for the Harvest Festival - Oct 5

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is looking for some adult volunteers to help the Harvest Festival, October 5, 2019 from 12 to 5 PM. They are in need of help especially for set up and break down of the Festival.

If you can help, please contact Roberta Trahan via Email at trahanroberta@gmail.com

Adult volunteers needed for the Harvest Festival - Oct 5

For more information on the Festival, visit the Downtown Partnership page
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Reminder: Harvest Festival Sponsorship Opportunities end Aug 28

Bring Attention to your Business While Supporting the Community

Be a sponsor of this year's Harvest Festival! Wednesday, August 28 is the deadline to have your business name listed as a sponsor on the Harvest Festival posters that are distributed throughout Franklin. In addition, your sponsorship includes:

• Logo listed on all related Promotional Materials, Posters and Signage - (Silver, Gold and Platinum levels)
• Smaller size logo listed on all related Promotional Materials, Posters, & Signage - (Bronze Level)
• Name listed on all related Promotional Materials, Posters and and Signage- (Friends Level)
• Listed in all related Press Releases
• Highlighted on Website: franklindowntownpartnership.org
• Advertised on local radio
• Advertised on Facebook and Twitter
• Sponsors get booth at event located on Exclusive Sponsorship Row area of event
• On-going announcement of Sponsors by DJ and Band during Event

Harvest Festival Sponsorship Opportunities

Just email us the sponsorship form and the level you would like to be listed as and we'll get you on the sponsorship list!

Please email the FDP office by August 28 to let us know you'll be a sponsor! 
Downtown.Franklin@yahoo.com

Sponsorship form
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kcHsCWKJHe4yakn5P_hRwbWhULYZvET9/view

Downtown Partnership Prepares for Harvest Festival on October 5

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is making plans for its 17th annual Harvest Festival, a family-fun community event, scheduled for Saturday, October 5.

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 6.

Plans for the festival are well underway and booth space is filling up fast. 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.

Organizers expect booth space for this event 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.

Downtown Partnership Prepares for Harvest Festival on October 5

Find the registration link at http://bit.ly/FranklinHF or on the Partnership website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org. Register before September 17. Please add a $35 late fee if you register after September 17. Registration will close on September 20. Email Scott Martin, chair of the Harvest Festival, 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.

Silver sponsors for the Harvest Festival are Dean Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank and Rockland Trust.

Bronze sponsors are Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill, the Bernon Family Branch YMCA, Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Glen Meadow Apartments, Keefe Insurance.

Friends sponsors are Camford Property Group, Charles River Bank, Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios, LeafFilter, MyFM.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of 270 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area.

Save the Date for Franklin Harvest Festival on Oct. 5

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will hold the Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 5 in downtown Franklin. In case of rain, the event will take place on Sunday, October 6.

Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic for the event which will feature music, delicious foods, crafts, give-aways, sidewalk sales, and more. For the first time, there will also be beer and wine sold during the Harvest Festival.

On August 15, the Partnership will post a link to register for booth spaces online through the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org. Booths are free to Franklin FDP business members and $125 for non-members. Booth spaces are expected to sell-out so businesses are encouraged to sign up in August. Email questions to Event Chair Scott Martin, fdpevent@gmail.com.

“The Harvest Festival is our biggest event of the year,” said FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana. “We are looking forward to another great event that brings people into our beautiful downtown area.”

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of 270 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. 

Visit the FDP website for more information:
www.franklindowntownpartnership.org

Save the Date for Franklin Harvest Festival on Oct. 5

Harvest Festival - 2013

The Festival got off to a decent start in 2013 but then the downpour came and that washed the remainder away. There'll be another year!





Or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157636268013466/


The lollipop garden was installed at the Sculpture Park and remained there for quite some time in the weather. Alas, they are no gone to wherever lollipops go when their color has ended.

The lollipop garden was located on the ground to the left of the rainbow arches

In the News: 34th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival; "Bring it on the Musical"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

34th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival 

"A Massachusetts bluegrass legend will be honored when a long-running musical festival returns to the city over President’s Day Weekend. 

The 34th Joe Val Bluegrass Festival will be back at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel next Friday until Feb. 17, featuring acts such as the Gibson Brothers, Seldom Scene, and Sister Sadie, as well as regional bands. There will also be opportunities for classes, lessons, and the Kids Academy where kids can learn about creating their own music. 

“Some people call it folk music on overdrive,” said Gerry Katz, of the Boston Bluegrass Union, on the genre. 

The festival’s namesake, the late Joe Val who was born in Everett, was recently inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame. Joe Val, a pioneering bluegrass musician, is credited with spreading the popularity of bluegrass in the Northeast. Throughout his career, he worked with big names in bluegrass, such as the Lilly Brothers, Joan Baez, the Charles River Valley Boys, and Bill Keith."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190207/bluegrass-festival-back-in-framingham

For more info about the Festival, schedule, tickets, etc.
https://www.bbu.org/events/joe-val-festival/schedule/

For more info about the Festival, schedule, tickets, etc.

“Bring it On The Musical”

1 The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) Musical Theater Department will present “Bring it On The Musical” with an all-student cast this weekend at The Black Box in downtown Franklin. 

2 FSPA student productions are directed, choreographed and music directed by FSPA’s faculty, but “Bring It On the Musical” also required some outside coaching for the cheerleading stunts central to the musical’s plot. FSPA brought in alumna Brooke Collins to work with the students and turn a group of musical theater students into convincing cheerleaders.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190206/bring-it-on-musical-to-be-staged-in-franklin/1

Franklin Cultural Council to Offer Artweek Festival Grants

The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) announced today that it is again the community collaborator for ArtWeek, a statewide festival happening April 26 – May 5, 2019. Applications for the festival are now available at artweekma.org. 

The early bird deadline to submit an ArtWeek event is January 11, 2019 and the final deadline is February 22, 2019. The FCC will also be offering ArtWeek grants to events that are free and open to the public in Franklin. Grant applications open Dec. 15, 2018, and close Jan. 31, 2019.

ArtWeek is an award-winning innovative festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to arts, culture, and the creative process. Now an annual statewide festival, ArtWeek was born in Boston in 2013 and recently expanded its footprint across the Commonwealth.

"Franklin has one of the most vibrant arts scenes in MetroWest," says FCC Chair Stacey David. "Our role as a collaborator is to help artists, performers and venues partner together to create a truly memorable ArtWeek festival. Last year, there were 50 Franklin ArtWeek events, which was 10% of all the events in the state. We hope to offer as many again this year."

The Franklin Cultural Council ArtWeek grants are for up to $250 each for programs that are offered free of charge to the public, at a Franklin venue. Grant applications can be filed online at www.bit.ly/FCCartweekgrants. 

If you are an interested artist, educator, performer or venue that would like help creating an ArtWeek event, or for information on ArtWeek grants, please email FCC Chair Stacey David at franklinculturalcouncil02038@gmail.com.

About the Franklin Cultural Council — The mission of the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is to encourage participation and enhance opportunities for enrichment in the cultural arts and sciences throughout our community. Comprised of committed residents, the FCC meets monthly with the purpose of supporting events and programs through grants from the Town of Franklin, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

About ArtWeek – Presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek has become an annual award-winning innovative festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences. Statewide partners include: Mass Cultural Council, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism as well as Mass Center for the Book, MASSCreative, MassHumanities, MassPoetry, New England Foundation for the Arts, New England Museum Association, Young Audiences of Massachusetts and VSA Massachusetts. To learn more about ArtWeek, visit www.artweekma.org.

Franklin Cultural Council to Offer
Artweek Festival Grants

MetroWest Student Film Festival: submission deadline extended to Feb 1, 2019

The submission deadline for the MetroWest Student Film Festival has been extended to Feb 1, 2019.

We have already received some awesome entries and we can't wait to see more! Awards and Prizes for the top film winners. Visit us at natickarts.org/mwsff for details

"The Center for Arts in Natick and Walnut Hill School for the Arts are pleased to announce a collaborative partnership to produce the first annual MetroWest Student Film Festival, featuring the work of talented students from the cities and towns of Boston MetroWest. Official public screening dates for finalists are scheduled for April 4-7, 2019. 

The MWSFF is a student film festival dedicated to showcasing the talents and creativity of the region's youth by providing an opportunity for young filmmakers and production teams to explore and create stories through motion pictures. Finalists among these student-created films will be shared with friends, families and the community at-large in TCAN’s state-of-the-art screening room. 

We envision the MWSFF as the largest student film festival of its kind in the region. 

Being part of this festival provides entrants the opportunity to:

• Share films with the regional community
• Screen films in an independent, state-of-the-art cinema
• Network with a jury of judges from the industry, and other film makers in the region
• Attend the festival premiere showcase"

MetroWest Student Film Festival: submission deadline extended to Feb 1, 2019

#mwsff

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Thanks for a Great Harvest Festival!!!

A Wonderful Day in Downtown Franklin

Fantastic Fall Day in Franklin for the Harvest Festival! The Franklin Downtown Partnership's 16th annual Harvest Festival was the largest one yet! More than 160 vendors offered activities, food, entertainment, giveaways, and more to the thousands of people that flooded downtown! Thank you to the Harvest Festival Committee, especially Event Chair Scott Martin, as well as the Bernon Family Branch YMCA for running the children's area. We also very thankful for the help of these FDP members Beth Simon for managing the volunteers Bryan Taberner, Roberta Trahan, Pandora Carlucci, Kevin Johnson and Beth Wierling for all their help on the planning committee and during the event Special thanks to Jen Hurst and Dean Bank for running the FDP food tent and to Michael Carroll at Dean Bank for coordinating the Dancing on Dean bands which were a huge addition to the Festival this year. We are also grateful to: Rockland Trust for the use of its parking lot Intermissions for the use of its patio The Franklin DPW, Police Department and Town Administration for all their support The Harvest Festival would not be possible without sponsorships by area businesses. We truly appreciate the generosity of these sponsors: Silver Sponsors Dean Bank Middlesex Savings Bank Rockland Trust Bronze Sponsors  Acadia Dental Atria Franklin Chestnut Dental Associates DCU Franklin Ford Glen Meadow Apartments Keefe Insurance Orangetheory Fitness - Medway Children's Area Sponsor Bernon Family Branch YMCA Friends Sponsors Beaux Regards Photographic Art, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Fenton Financial Group, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Cultural District, Franklin Health and Rehabilitation Center, Franklin Historical Museum, LeafFilter, MyFM 101.3, Renewal by Andersen, Rescom Exteriors, Simon's Furniture, and Tom Fricker Complete Heating and Cooling, LLC. See many more photos from the Harvest Festival on our Facebook page! View Facebook Photos https://www.facebook.com/pg/franklindowntownpartnership.org/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1025286767652458 Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org   ‌

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com in collaboration with Try it free today

Franklin Harvest Festival: Spread the Word! - Sunday, October 14

Reminder: the entertainment schedule for the Festival can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/harvest-festival-saturday-oct-13-11-am.html

Harvest Festival Moved to Sunday

Franklin Downtown Partnership  Harvest Festival Sunday, Oct. 14 Make plans to come to the FDP Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 14 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Admission Entertainment Giveaways Games Food Fun for children and adults! Spread the News! Please help us get the word out that the Harvest Festival has been moved to its rain date on Sunday, Oct. 14. Share this newsletter with your friends and family! Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org  ‌  ‌

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com in collaboration with Try it free today