In the News: Harvest Festival expected to draw crowd; downtown art work displays increase

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

"The pumpkins are growing and the apples are ripe - it’s almost time for Franklin’s 16th annual Harvest Festival. 

The festival will take place on Main Street in this Saturday, with a rain date of Sunday. 

Attracting about 7,000 people, the festival has been Franklin’s biggest annual event for the past few years. With about 160 vendors, from crafters to restaurants and various other downtown business open for visitors, it’s easy to get acquainted with the locals that create the community, said Lisa Piana, chairperson of the Franklin Downtown Partnership. 

The event is combined with Dean Bank’s ‘Dancing on Dean,’ which was created as a collaboration with the Downtown Partnership. Dean Bank has organized to shut down Dean Street in conjunction with the main event."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181009/franklin-large-crowd-expected-for-harvest-festival

Harvest Festival display at the Downtown Partnership office

"Downtown is vibrant and culturally adept, but there are still some dark spots. 

The alleys and offshoots are still bleak, but soon, according to Franklin Downtown Partnership chairwoman Lisa Piana, these seemingly sparse areas will be filled with local artwork. 

On Tuesday, local artist Anthony George stood in the alley next to Rockland Trust Bank, using sealer to lock his newest addition to the downtown art scene into place. 

A recent effort by the Downtown Partnership has employed multiple local artists to create murals to cover certain parts of the town’s less palatable spaces. The project has picked up in the past months, but is expected to be at full steam next spring."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181009/franklins-alleyways-get-makeover-with-artwork

the mural at Simon's is getting refreshed

2018 Harvest Festival - October 27 - Norfolk

Join us for some fun games and Treats!

• TRUNK OR TREATING
• FACE PAINTING
• Pumpkin Picking
• GAMES
• BOUNCE HOUSES

OCTOBER 27 1 PM – 5 PM


Emmanuel Baptist Church 
63 Rockwood Road
Norfolk, MA
ebcnorfolk.org


Get a copy of the Harvest Festival flyer here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczR0NLNzZGNjRRRmxFWEw1aEV0WFY3dDR4dTlR/view?usp=sharing

or here

Enjoy the Harvest Festival - Saturday, October 13

Get ready for Franklin’s largest-ever fall festival at the 16th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM

Nearly 7,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Harvest Festival which will feature great local entertainment, kids’ activities, artisans and crafters, fall-themed giveaways, and delicious food from local restaurants. 

In case of rain, the Harvest Festival will take place on Sunday, October 14.

The event will be held on Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, and Depot Street in downtown Franklin, as well as the large parking area behind Rockland Bank. This year, the always popular Harvest Festival promises to be the largest one-day event the Partnership has ever produced.  

More than 160 vendors, crafters, exhibitors and groups will participate in this celebration of the arrival of autumn! Main Street, and portions of Dean and Depot Streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Read More Here

Enjoy the Harvest Festival - Saturday, October 13

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2018/10/join-us-at-harvest-festival-october-13.html

Harvest Festival - Downtown Franklin - Oct 13

Celebrate Autumn with the Franklin Community!

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

Attention Businesses: Register for Harvest Festival Today! - Sep 20

Please register by Thursday, September 20 to receive your Free booth space as an Franklin Downtown Partnership member for the October 13 Harvest Festival. 

If you plan to participate, please register online:
https://goo.gl/forms/WtKjem7jWrwRoLg23

After Thursday, please include a $35 late fee.

Important: We can only save you a booth space if we have a registration from you. If we do not receive a registration we will assume you are not participating this year and will give your space to another business.

If you have already registered and received an email back from Scott Martin, you are all set. If you have any questions, please contact us at fdpharvestfest@gmail.com.

Attention Businesses: Register for Harvest Festival Today! - Sep 20

Scarecrow Contest - Oct 13

At the Franklin Historical Museum during the Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct 13

• Open to all ages!
• Prize awarded in youth and adult categories
• Positive, creative, nonviolent entries accepted
• Contestants to provide all material to decorate and display their scarecrows
• Entries to be secured in a standing or sitting position
• Scarecrows delivered to Historical Museum between 10 AM-11 AM, to be displayed on the museum front lawn during the Harvest Festival.
• Judging and prizes at 3:00 PM
• All scarecrows to be removed by 5:00 PM
• No fee to enter the contest

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SL3ei2xFoGc9o0MwDHY9ItMbKbq8IF1p/view?usp=sharing

Scarecrow Contest - Oct 13

Harvest Festival Registration is Open!

Registration for booth space at the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s 16th annual Harvest Festival is now open! The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., on Main, West Central, Dean and Depot Streets in downtown Franklin. 

The rain date is Oct. 14. 

Organizers expect booth space for this event to sell out. Franklin Downtown Partnership members receive a booth for free; non-members pay $125. 

Downtown businesses must send in an application to ensure store-front space. Booths are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. 

Follow the registration link and pay online through the “Donate” button.

Harvest Festival Registration is Open!

This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2018/08/harvest-festival-registration-is-open.html

Request for St Rocco memorabilia

The St Rocco 40th Celebration Committee is seeking memorabilia items from the past 40 years to be placed on display at the St Rocco 40th year celebration event being held on October 6th. 

Any and all Items (posters, signage, photos, t-shirts, banners, jewelry, and other decorations pertaining to the St Rocco Festival over the years) will be of interest.

Following this event all the items received will be donated to the Franklin Historical Museum to be archived and used as display items at the museum by the discretion of the Historical Museum staff with possible input by members of the St. Rocco celebration 40th anniversary committee members.

These donations may be dropped of the parish office at the St. Mary's Rectory to be given to Paula Coughlin with a deadline of September 9th.

Photos from the St Rocco Festival in 2013

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 12, 2018 - Final Day, Final Feast

Food Booths, Rides and Music - Sunday, August 12 from 12:00 Noon - 8:00 PM

Unlimited Ride Specials:
Sunday from 12 noon to 4 PM - $25 per person with coupon, $30 without coupon  http://fiestashows.com/m/events/byid/277

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 12, 2018

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 11, 2018

Anointing Mass Saturday, August 11 10:00 AM under the tent

Food Booths, Rides and Music Saturday, August 11 from 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Ride bracelets or wrist bands are available Saturday 12 - 4 PM Normally $30 or $25 if you show the coupon which you can download from here:
http://fiestashows.com/m/events/byid/277

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 11, 2018

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

Food Booths, Rides and Music Friday, August 10 from 5:00-10:00 PM

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 9, 2018

Rides Open Thursday, August 9 from 5:00-10:00 PM

Times change and traditions evolve. This year’s annual Feast of St. Rocco, on August 9-12 will mark the 40th and final food festival in Franklin. Driven by the energy and passion of long-time committee members, and executed with the strength of 300 volunteers, this festival finale will be one to remember! 

This year’s celebration will feature more than a dozen food booths offering everything from fried clams, calzones and sausages to authentic Italian pastries and fried dough. Entertainment throughout the weekend will include live bands, DJs, raffles, and amusement rides. Commemorative T-shirts and aprons will be on sale. Raffles for cash prizes and homemade items will be available all weekend. 

Throughout the years, the festival has adapted to the changing lifestyle of the community. In the early days all food was donated and prepared in the kitchens of the parish faithful. For a time, food was prepared in the kitchen of what was then the St. Mary’s School. Today, the food is prepared under the tents where it is served, under strict board of health guidelines. The one constant for 40 years has been the enthusiastic volunteers who prepare and serve the food throughout the weekend.

Entertainment has changed over the years as well. Music has always been part of the celebration and the early days featured several stages with multiple bands and dancing. A pie eating competition and chocolate chip cookie contest are some of the past events. And the young and young-at-heart have enjoyed old fashioned midway games, carnival rides, cotton candy and laughter galore throughout the years! 

Weather has been noteworthy over time. The festival has been held in scorching heat and throughout thunderstorm-ridden weekends, but the spirit of the festival has always endured.

Don’t miss the final food festival beginning Thursday evening, August 9 and continuing through Sunday the 12th, held on the field beside the parking lot across from the St. Mary’s Church. Come for the food. Come for the rides. Come for the people. Just come… be a part of the St. Rocco Festival Finale! For more information or to volunteer to help on festival weekend, please contact the St. Mary’s Rectory at 508-528-0020.

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 9, 2018

Feast of St. Rocco Festival - Through the years

The Feast of St. Rocco Festival began in 1978 as the brainchild of Father Michael Guarino. He sought to create a religious, social and cultural event in Franklin that followed the format of traditional Italian festivals. On a visit to what were once the grounds of the St. Mary School convent, Fr. Guarino found a statue of St. Rocco and his idea found a saint to celebrate in such a festival. 

St Rocco, the patron saint of healing, was born in the 13th century to a wealth family in France but gave away his inheritance and set out as a pilgrim who ministered to the sick, especially those suffering from plague. Having healed many people through intercessory prayer without contracting the disease itself, he finally succumbed to illness and in his great suffering, went away to a small hut the woods, so as not to be a burden on others. He was ministered to be a dog who brought him bread daily, and a spring miraculously appeared near the hut providing him with water.

Ironically, with the feast focused on healing, accessibility is a major challenge for many parishioners. Change is taking place not only with the evolution of the festival, but also within the physical building of St. Mary’s church itself. During the Festival Finale, construction will be in full swing for an addition to the church that will include an accessible entrance, indoor elevator, restrooms on both levels and a food service area. This addition to the church will also feature a permanent location for the statue of St. Rocco to reside, where people can visit with the saint and pray year-round in good weather and bad.

Since its inception, the festival has always included three separate Masses. Kicking off the week of the feast is the Opening Mass at 10:30 on Sunday, August 5 at the church. This Mass is celebrated for the deceased friends and family listed in the St. Rocco program book. At this Mass, rolls that have been blessed are given out to all who attend, just as St. Rocco’s faithful dog brought him bread when he was sick, that helped him survive.

The following week on Saturday, August 11, an Anointing Mass will be held at 10:00 under the tent on the Festival Grounds behind the school across from the church. According to Paula Coughlin, long-time volunteer and Parish Administrative Assistant, “This always attracts a large, reverent crowd. There is something moving about seeing all these people attend Mass and receive an anointing for healing, even as the booth volunteers are readying their booths to serve the people coming for lunch.”

This year, the 40th and final Closing Mass for the Feast of St Rocco will be held on Sunday, August 12 at 10:30 at the church. Following Mass, a procession will carry the statue of St. Rocco from the church to the field.

As the food and festival portion of this feast comes to an end, it paves the way for new traditions and ways to celebrate faith, family and friends within the parish. 

Fr. Brian Manning, pastor of St. Mary’s explains it this way: “As we conclude the Festival of Food portion of the Feast of Saint Rocco this year, we will continue to honor in new ways the vision of faith that Fr. Michael and his many lay volunteers shared with all of us then and through all the years.” 

With changes to the church, the statue of St Rocco will be permanently housed in the new addition where people can pray at any time. And while our faith and town community may not see the food booths and rides on the fairgrounds next year, new traditions will bloom that are compatible with today’s lifestyle and culture.

Don’t miss this historic event. Come for the rides, Come for the people. Come for the healing. Just come … be a part of the St. Rocco Festival Food Finale!

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

Photos from the St Rocco Festival in 2013

St. Rocco Festival of Food Finale - Aug 9-12, 2018

Times change and traditions evolve. This year’s annual Feast of St. Rocco, on August 9-12 will mark the 40th and final food festival in Franklin. Driven by the energy and passion of long-time committee members, and executed with the strength of 300 volunteers, this festival finale will be one to remember! 

This year’s celebration will feature more than a dozen food booths offering everything from fried clams, calzones and sausages to authentic Italian pastries and fried dough. Entertainment throughout the weekend will include live bands, DJs, raffles, and amusement rides. Commemorative T-shirts and aprons will be on sale. Raffles for cash prizes and homemade items will be available all weekend.

Throughout the years, the festival has adapted to the changing lifestyle of the community. In the early days all food was donated and prepared in the kitchens of the parish faithful. For a time, food was prepared in the kitchen of what was then the St. Mary’s School. Today, the food is prepared under the tents where it is served, under strict board of health guidelines. The one constant for 40 years has been the enthusiastic volunteers who prepare and serve the food throughout the weekend.

Entertainment has changed over the years as well. Music has always been part of the celebration and the early days featured several stages with multiple bands and dancing. A pie eating competition and chocolate chip cookie contest are some of the past events. And the young and young-at-heart have enjoyed old fashioned midway games, carnival rides, cotton candy and laughter galore throughout the years!

Weather has been noteworthy over time. The festival has been held in scorching heat and throughout thunderstorm-ridden weekends, but the spirit of the festival has always endured.

Don’t miss the final food festival beginning Thursday evening, August 9 and continuing through Sunday the 12th, held on the field beside the parking lot across from the St. Mary’s Church. Come for the food. Come for the rides. Come for the people. Just come… be a part of the St. Rocco Festival Finale! For more information or to volunteer to help on festival weekend, please contact the St. Mary’s Rectory at 508-528-0020.


Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

Photos from the St Rocco Festival in 2013

Blackstone River Theatre - Summer Solstice Festival is Saturday, June 16

We have an AMAZING line-up of musicians this year!

You asked for a nice day ... and you will HAVE IT! It is looking like a beautiful, sunny day in the mid-80s!

This is truly going to be an incredible festival and we really hope you will join us. For the cost of a single concert ticket, you can see many world-class musicians and dancers over the course of an 8-hour day!

Full website & schedule: www.riverfolk.org/brtssf

SEE PREVIEW OF THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL!




Please LIKE us on Facebook AND share with your friends ... word of mouth is BRT's best friend!  https://www.facebook.com/BlackstoneRiverTheatre

Blackstone River Theatre - Summer Solstice Festival is Saturday, June 16

Blackstone River Theatre - SAVE THE DATE! June 16 is the Summer Solstice Festival!

JUNE 16th!    Blackstone River Theatre SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL TIX ON SALE NOW!  Atwater~Donnelly Trio * Mari Black Celtic Band  Daymark * Eastern Medicine Singers The Gnomes   The Gothard Sisters  La Croisée D'Antan  Owen Marshall & Jenna Moynihan Emerald Rae Torrin Ryan, Sheila Falls & Kyle Forsthoff Kevin Doyle Dance Showcase: From trad to tap Tir Na Nog Irish Dance * Irish session led by Bob Drouin THANK YOU to Navigant Credit Union, The Valley Breeze, Abbott Valley Veterinary Center, and Open MRI of New England for again sponsoring a stage this year!  COMING SOON! *All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge                     Wednesday, May 30,  7 p.m., FREE! CLEF SINGERS SENIOR SHOWCASE CONCERT  performances by  CHS music students Saturday June 2 PAINTBOX PRESCHOOL GRADUATION Quick Links... BRT Website     Directions to BRT SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL Dear Steve, Make plans for the SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL June 16 We are working hard behind the scenes to bring you another incredible festival of Celtic and world music and dance. Tickets are on sale now for both the Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival and the after-festival session. Plan a family day, tell your friends about it and help support Blackstone River Theatre while enjoying 8 hours of music and fun in the sun! Please LIKE us on Facebook AND share with your friends ... word of mouth is BRT's best friend! https://www.facebook.com/BlackstoneRiverTheatre     Hope to see YOU on June 16! Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   BRT SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL CLICK FLYER TO SEE VIDEO OF THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL! AFTER-FESTIVAL SESSION @ BRT! Participating bands/musicians will include Aubrey Atwater, Mari Black, Cathy Clasper-Torch, Erika Damiani & members of Tir Na Nog, Daymark, Elwood Donnelly, Kevin Doyle, Phil Edmonds, members of Eastern Medicine Singers, Sheila Falls, Mike Fischman, Kyle Forsthoff, The Gothard Sisters, La Croisée D'Antan, Owen Marshall, Jenna Moynihan, Emerald Rae, Torrin Ryan, and more! Gather for an after-festival music session Saturday, June 16, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Cumberland's Blackstone River Theatre featuring almost all of the performers from the 2018 Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival! The intimate setting will let you relax with food and your favorite beverage while Festival performers un-wind and begin an evening of music and conversation that will make your Festival experience all the more memorable. The atmosphere is designed to create a casual environment of friendly banter just like that found in a local pub. We will only sell 90 tickets for this special event so be sure to order yours right away as it has sold out the past 4 years! Don't miss the amazing music that occurs when entertainers from various cultures and styles come together for a very special night...  Complementary food donated by sponsor Angelo's Palace Pizza will be available as part of the ticket price. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets: $25.00 each. Advance purchase recommended! Doors will not open for the music session until 8:15 P.M.! NOTE: This is a CLOSED session featuring only performers from the 2018 Solstice Festival. Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad St., Cumberland, R.I. Saturday, June 16, 8:30-11:30 P.M.,  $25.00  Email russell@riverfolk.org for reservations

Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 Sent by russell@riverfolk.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Join us at the 10th Mass Poetry Festival

View this email in your browser It's Time to Plan Your Festival Weekend! Make a schedule. Buy buttons. Join our Headline Poets Sonia Sanchez · Kaveh Akbar · Duy Doan  Jeffrey Harrison · Dorianne Laux · Erika Meitner Carl Phillips · Nicole Sealey Sean Thomas Dougherty · Rhina P. Espaillat A Letter from the Festival Director Has it been 10 years, already? Yes, it has -- and the Massachusetts Poetry Festival is back again with 10 nationally recognized, and award-winning poets headlining three days and nearly 100 different programs, including poetry readings, workshops, music, and more. Meet with poets, writers, and publishers at our small press and literary fair, or engage them in conversation at one of many sessions held throughout the weekend. Surround yourself with what's good—you may be surprised, and you may surprise yourself. Please join us for this special 10th year. Are you a first timer? Never been to Salem? Watch this video to see why Salem loves the Mass Poetry Festival! Raining Poetry for the 2017 Mass Poetry Festival Salamander 25th Anniversary Reading Saturday May 5, 2:00pm-3:00pm, The Bridge at 211 Join Ben Berman, Danielle Legros Georges, and Kelle Groom as they commemorate SALAMANDER's 25th anniversary. Poets on Autism: Hope in the Helicopter Rain Saturday May 5, 12:15pm-1:15pm, PEM Connect BLDG Sean Thomas Dougherty · Kamilah Aisha Moon · Oliver de la Paz As poets, we face the double danger of the sentimental and the exoticization of their disability. This panel will address how do poets negotiate the topic and portraiture of autism. Each panelist will read a small selection of poems that they have written about their own autistic children or siblings, and speak to the difficulties of writing these poems. How do we speak our joys, fears, love in language whose intent is to nurture, to elevate, to challenge, and to sing. Workshops are still available! Be inspired. Try something new. Surprise yourself. We have space available in a variety of workshops. You can generate new work, talk about craft with poets and poetry lovers, or ask that question about poetry you've always wanted to ask.  If you love the work we do to support poets and spread the power of poetry to students, T riders, and more, please consider supporting us with a recurring monthly donation. Donate Now Copyright © *2017* *Mass Poetry*, All rights reserved.