2025 Massachusetts Poetry Festival - May 30 to June 1 in Salem

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here! 

2025 Massachusetts Poetry Festival - May 30 to June 1

The schedule for the 2025 Massachusetts Poetry Festival is now live! 

Once you register for the festival, you can view our wide variety of events, panels, workshops, open mics, slams, readings, fairs, and more, with event descriptions and the people involved all attached. You name it, we’ve got it!

You can access the schedule via our website (https://festival.masspoetry.org/schedule), which is also linked in our bio!

Get browsing, poetry lovers!

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What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, May 10, 2025 ???

Saturday, May 10

Stamp out Hunger (leave bag for Postal Carrier pickup)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary's Parish)

10:00am Main St closed for Dean Commencement 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am Dean College 159th Commencement (Dean College)

1:00pm Italian film Festival - "Luca " (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:00pm 3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood (Tri-County Regional Vocational Tech HS)

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-calendar

Lowell Folk Festival loses NEA funding, shares a "Call to Action"

On Friday evening, the National Endowment for the Arts informed us that they are withdrawing their $20,000 grant in support of this summer’s Lowell Folk Festival. While federal support is never guaranteed, this unexpected loss is a serious wake-up call, and a reminder of how fragile arts funding can be.

Lowell Folk Festival loses NEA funding

The NEA has been a valued partner for many years, and this change, while not unique to us, comes just as the cost of producing the festival continues to rise sharply. We remain committed to presenting the 38th annual Lowell Folk Festival as planned—free and open to all, and filled with the music, traditions, and community spirit that brings so many people together year after year.

Read the statement at our blog. Every gift counts, especially yours. Help us keep the music going. Donate today!

👉 https://lowellfolkfestival.org/pages/donate

With Gratitude,

Arthur Sutcliffe – Board Chairman

Lee Viliesis – Executive Director

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AVw3vYXyd/

Editor's note: I will be contributing to this effort. The Folk Festival is a great experience. I have been fortunate to take advantage of the stage at Boarding House Park for many years and enjoyed the varity of entertainment.

Italian Film Festival scheduled for May at Historical Museum sponsored by Quattro Eroi Lodge

Italian Film Festival scheduled for May

Quattro Eroi Lodge is sponsoring a FREE Italian Film Festival! 

 

This is a collaborative venture with the Senior Center (which has a license to show domestic films) and the Historical Museum (which has the site and successful track record showing films at its facility). This is a community cultural event and everyone is invited!

The schedule is as follows:

May 3, 6:30 PM - Roman Holiday (a classic 1953 romcom starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, 118 mins)

May 10, 1:00 PM - Luca (Italian-themed 2021 Pixar animated film)

May 17, 6:30 PM – Cabrini (2024 biopic depicting the life of Catholic missionary Francesca Cabrini and the struggles she had to overcome as a woman seeking to sponsor programs helping the less fortunate, 142 minutes)

May 31, 6:30 PM – The Italian Job (1969 British 'comedy caper' mostly set in Italy, 99 minutes)

All showings will be at the Historical Museum at 80 West Central Street in Franklin.

Reminder: Franklin Fest on Sunday, April 6 features 7x7 flag football tournament

Reminder: Franklin Fest on Sunday, April 6

Exciting news! Registration for the 7v7 football tournament is now FREE!  Gather your squad and sign up for a day of competition and fun.

But that’s not all! We’re also hosting a raffle with amazing prizes from local businesses!  Don’t miss your chance to win while enjoying flag football, lawn games, and food trucks.

Register -> https://franklinfest.wixsite.com/franklin-fest?

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A4SY9WwLZ/

You can also listen to my conversation with Dean College senior Quinten Jones about this event -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/flag-football-tournament-centerpice-of.html

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third - May 10 at 1:00 PM

3rd Annual Pen to Picture Festival features Raúl the Third

Since 2023, Franklin Public Library and the Franklin middle schools have joined forces to host world-renowned graphic novelists and celebrate the art of storytelling. On May 10, Franklin's 3rd annual Pen to Picture Festival will welcome Raúl the Third to the Franklin Public Library. This town-wide event is free and open to all families. 

Raúl the Third will share his process, art, and latest titles. He is the author and illustrator of many elementary and middle grade books, including The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day, Stuntboy: In the Meantime, Stuntboy: In-Between Time, The Lowriders series, and multiple picture books. Breakout sessions, photo ops and book signing will also be available.

Pen to Picture originated three years ago, the result of a collaborative effort among Ms. Bree Comeau (Franklin Public Library Asst. Youth Services Librarian) and Franklin middle school reading specialists Pam Allard and Erin O’Leary. The three literary leaders recognized their students’ growing appetite for the graphic novel format and sought funding from their schools’ parent organizations to create a town-wide festival. Pen to Picture’s mission is to expose Franklin families to contemporary titles and creators and foster the creative relationship between art and the written word. 

In its first year, the program welcomed Scott Magoon, Matt Tavares, and Maris Wicks; built on its overwhelming success, Pen to Picture welcomed Jarrett J. Krosoczka the following year.  

Graphic novels (a literary format) have exploded in popularity and both librarians and reading specialists are excited to welcome local authors and illustrators to engage students in an appreciation of the genre, learn about the process and time required to develop a graphic novel, and champion the relationship between visual arts and storytelling. We invite the community to join us at the library on Saturday, May 10. 

This year, Pen to Picture is made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

Dean's Franklin Fest scheduled for April 6 to benefit the Franklin YMCA

Join Us for Franklin Fest! 

Dean's Franklin Fest scheduled for April 6

Hello Franklin community! My name is Bryanna, and I’m a junior at Dean College. As part of our Event Management & Operations class, we are tasked with planning and executing a successful event—and we’d love for you to be a part of it! All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Franklin YMCA!

Help us make this event a success—sign up or donate using the website link or QR codes on the flyer! 

📅 April 6, 2025

⏰ 11 AM - 3 PM

📍 Longley Field, 69 Maple Street, Franklin, MA

🏈 Flag Football Tournament

🎯 Fun games like Spike Ball, Cornhole & Connect 4

🎟️ 50/50 Raffle & Giveaways

🍿 Concessions

For more information or any questions: https://franklinfest.wixsite.com/franklin-fest

We hope to see you there!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/posts/3924467521156578/

FYI - Franklin Police announce road closures for Harvest Festival - Saturday, Sep 28

"***HARVEST FESTIVAL ROAD CLOSURE***

Tomorrow, Saturday the 28th Main Street will be completely closed from East Central Street to Emmons Street from approximately 10:15 AM to 6 PM.  

All side roads along this side of Main Street will also be closed."

FYI - Franklin Police announce road closures for Harvest Festival - Saturday, Sep 28

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/wj5KVgrjATyPJJ1m/

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/

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/

Cactus And Succulent Festival - Sep 14

Free Admission, Parking, and Plants

Norfolk, Mass – September 14th

The Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts will be presenting its 18th Annual Cactus and Succulent Festival on Norfolk Town Common and also in the Norfolk Library from 9 AM until 4 PM on Saturday, September 14th. 

Admission is Free. The First 50 attendees on each day will receive a free cactus or succulent plant!

On display in the library will be hundreds of striking cacti and succulents. Often referred to as living sculptures, cacti and succulents are truly exotic plants. From as small as a pebble to as big as a house, these plants have devised many ways to deal with blazing hot deserts, freezing mountains, and impenetrable jungles.

The Festival will also feature 25 Horticultural Vendors and a Veggie Truck loaded with a large assortment of locally grown produce. Attendees can treat themselves to fresh produce and exotic plants all in one beautiful location – Norfolk, Mass. 

For more information, check out the Massachusetts Cactus and Succulent Society website at CSSMA.ORG or on Facebook.

Cactus And Succulent Festival - Sep 14

Sharon Summer Safety Fest - August 10, 2024

Note: Updated 8/7/24 - Postponed to TBD due to weather forecast for the 10th

A Fun, Free, and Family-Friendly afternoon!! We're excited to announce our partnership with the Sharon Police Department for the upcoming Sharon Summer Safety Fest! Join us at Crescent Ridge Dairy on Saturday, August 10th from 10 AM to 2 PM for a fun, free & family-friendly afternoon filled with touch-a-trucks, activities, games and summer safety resources! It will be a day to remember!

Norfolk County Sheriff's Office | 200 West St | Dedham, MA 02027 US

Lowell Folk Festival brings a wide variety of folk music from around the world to Lowell, oh and for FREE!

via the Lowell Folk Festival

2024 Lowell Folk Festival Announces Full Performance Schedule - Music, Food, and Crafts From Around the World Showcased Throughout Lowell, MA  July 26-28 #lowellfolk 

LEARN MORE: https://t.co/kmTYf6WgMD  or ->   https://lowellfolkfestival.org/

Shared from -> https://t.co/3y6TNI2VIw

The FHS Film Festival is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at 6:00 PM

The FHS Film Festival is scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at 6:00 PM

FHS Film Festival

@FHSPantherbook @FranklinHS 

Shared from -> https://t.co/fflNmgwpvi

Good weather set for Harvest Festival - Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM

The 20th Annual Harvest Festival is reset for Sunday, October 1, from noon to 4 PM. 

Look forward to many booths and attractions filling downtown on Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, Depot Street, and the parking area behind Rockland Bank. 

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

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

Thank you to Harvest Festival sponsors!

Platinum - Dean Bank, RI Motorsports

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

Silver - Camford Property Group, Hockomock YMCA. 

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

Shared from the Downtown Partnership page -> 

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

Good weather set for Harvest Festival - Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM

Harvest Festival shifts to Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM

Due to the high probability of rainy weather on our Saturday event day, and the consistent forecast for a perfect sunny Fall day on Sunday, the Franklin Downtown Partnership's 20th Harvest Festival will move the event to its planned rain date on Sunday, October 1. The event will take place from 12:00 – 4:00 PM but, other than shortening the event end time by one hour, all other event logistics. 

Harvest Festival shifts to Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM

 Shared from -> https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/09/due-to-high-probability-of-rainy.html