Harvest Festival Registration is Open

If you are a Franklin Downtown Partnership member and have paid your 2021 membership, you can receive a free booth space. Non-members of the FDP will pay $125, with the exception of food vendors. Non-member food vendors will incur a separate fee and need to contact the FDP office prior to registering. 

Booth spaces are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and we expect to sell out of booth spaces this year.

Businesses on Main Street need to contact the FDP office if they plan to participate so committee members can reserve their space. Remember: ALL businesses and restaurants need to register online in order to secure a space.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, please contact the FDP office (downtown.franklin@yahoo.com).

SPONSORS NEEDED: If you would like to be a sponsor of the Harvest Festival, please contact the FDP office (downtown.franklin@yahoo.com).

Scott Martin is the Harvest Festival Chair. Chris Peterson is the Harvest Festival Vendor Relations Coordinator. If you have questions, contact Chris at fdpevent@gmail.com.

Registration ->  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kVIGTTp84M78KqT5ubSz_h0Kt-OCF_NT8j_1DlYcWNw/viewform?edit_requested=true

 

Volunteers Needed for Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival Volunteers Needed Please pass the word to friends, family and clients that we need volunteers for the October 2 Harvest Festival. We will need more than 50 volunteers to make this year's festival run smoothly.   Please email the FDP office  downtown.franklin@yahoo.com if you are able to volunteer. Thank you for your support, Harvest Festival Committee Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

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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

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

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

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: The Best Harvest Festival Yet!

Looking Back at a Great Day

Harvest Festival Wrap Up The Franklin Downtown Partnership's 17th annual Harvest Festival was the best one yet! Perfect autumn weather, fun activities, entertainment, a beer garden and much more drew the largest crowd the Harvest Festival has ever seen! Thank you to everyone who participated! We cannot adequately express our appreciation to the members of the Harvest Festival committee who put in countless hours preparing for this huge event. In particular, Chairman Scott Martin went above and beyond to ensure the event ran smoothly! Thank You Harvest Festival Committee Members: Scott Martin, chair Pandora Carlucci Kevin Johnson Chris Peterson Lisa Piana Beth Simon Greg Stafford Bryan Taberner Roberta Trahan We also wish to thank the generous sponsors of the Harvest Festival who make it possible to hold this event! Thank You Sponsors of the Harvest Festival: Silver Sponsors:  Dean Bank Middlesex Savings Bank Rockland Trust Dean Bank Middlesex Savings Bank Bronze Sponsors:  Arcadia Dental Atria - Franklin 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 Meadow Apartments Keefe Insurance LaCantina Winery Arcadia Dental Atria - Franklin Benchmark Senior Living Bernon Family Branch YMCA Chestnut Dental DCU Dynasty Models & Talent Franklin Ford Franklin Cultural District Glen Meadow Apartments LaCantina Winery  Friends Sponsors:  Bank of America Beaux Regards Photographic Art Camford Property Group Charles River Bank D.G. Ranieri Real Estate Encore Music Academy & Recording Studios Franklin Glass Company LeafFilter Gutter Protection Mint Dental of Franklin MyFM 101.3 Rescom Exteriors Simon's Furniture View the Harvest Festival Photo Album on Facebook Franklin Downtown Partnership • 774-571-3109 • FranklinDowntownPartnership.org

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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