Date set for Franklin’s 2nd Annual PorchFest - June 7, 2025

Franklin’s PorchFest Committee is pleased to announce that Franklin’s first ever PorchFest was an enormous hit! Mark your calendars as we have secured a date for Franklin PorchFest 2025.

Please join us on Saturday, June 7, 2025 for Franklin’s 2nd Annual PorchFest. As this 2025 date approaches, use our website at Franklin.PorchFest.Info to register your Band, Porch or sign up to volunteer.

The Franklin PorchFest Committee would like to extend our sincere thanks to the porch hosts for welcoming both bands and residents to enjoy music on their porches. And to the performers whose talent is unbounded, we can’t thank you enough for sharing your talent with the residents of Franklin. And to all who helped bring PorchFest to Franklin we say THANK YOU!

We’ll see you in 2025!

Date set for Franklin’s 2nd Annual PorchFest - June 7, 2025

Franklin PorchFest sets date for Saturday, June 7, 2025

Via the Porchfest Committee: 

"Franklin PorchFest was a huge hit! 

Thank you to our porch hosts for allowing both bands and residents to enjoy the music on your porch and a special thanks to all the performers whose talent is unbounded and was shared with the residents of Franklin. 

And thank you to the PorchFest Committee who worked tirelessly to create a community event enjoyed by all. 

Save the date, Franklin PorchFest 2025 is coming, Saturday, June 7, 2025! Check our website at Franklin.PorchFest.Info as we get closer - see you all next year!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/joSUQRhz8rWnd195/

Franklin PorchFest sets date for Saturday, June 7, 2025

The first Franklin Porchfest seeks your feedback via Survey!

We need YOUR feedback! Franklin Porchfest Survey
    
It's been one week from Franklin's inaugural PorchFest - and we'd like YOUR feedback - whether you attended the event hours, just saw clips on Instagram (or another social site); we'd love to hear your engagement in how we can make this event the best it can be.

Take a moment to take our community survey linked here. Feedback will be shared with cultural committees/council and volunteer groups to better plan music festivals throughout Franklin!

And another special SHOUT OUT to the volunteer group that made the magic happen: John LoPresti, Beth Wierling, Sue Rohrbach, Ryan Jette, Roberta Trahan, Karilyn Hammer and Karen Kearns. Thank you for coming together to create an accessible community event celebrating music in Franklin.

** You can also go directly to the long link to provide feedback ->  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScF-niCAoNJbk35tBD7fXiqcQHW62YyebSWssXWmfB51LwuGA/viewform

The first Franklin Porchfest seeks your feedback via Survey!

Franklin PorchFest deemed a success (photo essay)

So what happens when more than 50 performers set up on more than 30 porches to sing and entertain all comers in Franklin, MA on Saturday, June 1?

Lots of folks had a great time!

From bagpipes to rock, folk to jazz, you name it some music was there for everyone to choose from.

Meredith McKunes and I split up to cover as many of the performances as we could. Stay tuned for the video output. There are a few hours to edit and prepare. 

In the meantime, some teaser photos as I made my rounds:

Garden of Hedon

Eli Cash Band

Bucketlist

Berkshire Valley Boys

Community performance of "God Bless America" on the Town Common

Other photos captured during the day can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QTkUcwMhpaLhsBRF8

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, June 1, 2024?

Saturday, June 1
7:00am Fishing Derby (Franklin Rod & Gun Club)
8:00am Early Voting for Special Election (Town Clerk's Office)
9:00am Fallen Hero: William G. Hosford (Veterans Walkway, Town Common)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:00am Pride Flag Raising (Municipal Building)
12:00pm Franklin PorchFest (all about the Cultural District)
12:00pm Franklin Art Association will be plein air painting (Town Common)
8:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)

** No Town Meetings today

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events    

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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's PorchFest 2024 is happening today

It's here. Today for the first time PorchFest in Franklin. Multiple locations, time slots, and so many performers. 

Are you going to try to get to many? or spend time with one or two porches? 

A couple of the Franklin TV & Radio crew will be out and about to try and cover as many as we can.

 

Porch Location	Time	Performer(s)
80 West Central Street, Historical Museum	12:00 - 1:00	Jamie Barrett
27 Marvin Ave	12:00 - 1:00	Mike Mainuli
118 Main Street, Public Library	12:00 - 1:00	Musical Memories with John & Linda
36 Main Street, Intermission Cafe	12:00 - 6:00	FSPA/FPAC Faculty, Students and Alumni
9 Lincoln Street	12:00 - 1:00	Garden Of Hedon
270 Main St.	12:00 - 1:00	Mark Legere
28 Queen Street	12:00 - 1:00	Sun Of Sound
237 Pleasant Street	12:00 - 1:00	Grey Cats Band
164 Main Street	12:30 - 1:15	Jeff Roy of Ben Gardner's Boat
17 E Central Street, Birchwood Bakery	12:30 - 1:30	Jack & Aida
148 Dean Ave	1:00 - 2:00	Railroad picker
39 Union St	1:00 - 2:00	Kaye Kelly with Innover
94 Hillside Rd.	1:00 - 2:00	Eli Cash Band
16 Fales Street	1:00 - 3:00	Matt Tremble
18 Lincoln Street	1:00 - 3:00	Dom DeBaggis
201 Main Street, Town Common Gazebo	1:00 - 3:00	Franklin PS Music
24 Pearl Street	1:00 - 3:00	The Franklin Underground
17 Park Rd	1:30 - 2:30	Ayre Time
164 Main Street	1:45 - 2:30	Great Highland Bagpipe Player
118 Main Street, Public Library	2:00 - 3:00	The Bad Apples
305 Union Street	2:00 - 3:00	DERT
80 West Central Street, Historical Museum	2:00 - 3:00	Metrowest Symphony ensemble
80 Union St	2:00 - 3:30	The KO Trio
237 Pleasant Street	2:00 - 4:00	Wild Sundays
248 Summer St	2:00 - 4:00	According to Nancy
270 Cottage st	2:00 - 4:00	The Bittas
270 Main St.	2:00 - 4:00	Bucketlist
28 Queen Street	2:00 - 4:00	Slow Train
60 Dean Ave	2:00 - 4:00	Dave Warner Band
85 Hillside Rd	2:00 - 4:00	Lincoln Street Groove Project
171 Main Street, Federated Church	2:15 - 3:00	Ben Levy
35 Marvin Ave	3:00 - 4:00	Moonshot
9 Lincoln Street	3:00 - 4:00	The Pub Kings
164 Main Street	3:00 - 4:30	Critical Mass
18 Lincoln Street	3:45 - 5:45	Joe Marino
14 Orchard Street	4:00 - 5:00	Heath Nisbett
17 Union Street	4:00 - 6:00	Dave Bauer & Diet Soda
80 West Central Street, Historical Museum	4:00 - 6:00	Late Night Idle
16 Fales Street	4:30 - 6:00	A Touch of Grey
94 Hillside Rd.	4:30 - 6:00	Orange Squeeze
171 Main Street, Federated Church	5:00 - 6:00	Average Joel
201 Main Street, Town Common Gazebo	5:00 - 6:00	South Street Six
248 Summer St	5:00 - 6:00	Alfred Be Loud
270 Cottage st	5:00 - 6:00	W.M.D
35 Marvin Ave	5:00 - 6:00	LIZ's KID
85 Hillside Rd	5:00 - 6:00	Berkshire Valley Boys
9 Lincoln Street	5:00 - 6:00	The Zajac Brothers Band
14 Orchard Street	5:15 - 6:00	Rayna Nisbett

 

Check the official PorchFest schedule for any changes or updates  

https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#schedule

 

Franklin's PorchFest 2024 is happening today

 

Something Old and Something New at Franklin Historical Museum!

This summer, the Franklin Historical Museum welcomes the return of the Bridal Gown Exhibit, Something Old and Something New! 

 

Bridal Gown Exhibit

See gowns worn by Franklin brides in a range of fashions throughout the decades, from the late 1800s right up to the 2000s. Each gown carries with it a unique story, preserving the hopes and dreams of each bride on her special day for generations to come. Our 2024 exhibit features the highly requested 1946 parachute dress with the amazing 15-foot train, constructed of Japanese parachute silk.

Don't miss our ribbon-cutting ceremony this Saturday, June 1 at 2:30 PM by two fashionably attired “flower girls” and the string section of the MetroWest Symphony Orchestra (MSO) ‘belting out’ Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. The exhibit opening is in coordination with Franklin’s first ever PorchFest in which MSO and two other performers will be sharing the museum porch. The museum will be open special hours, from 10 AM to 6 PM and PorchFest runs from noon to 6.

And the fun continues through Sunday, August 4 during regular museum hours, Saturdays 10 to 1 and Sundays 1 to 4.

Bridal Exhibit Speakers in June and July

• The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the museum continues on June 9, 2024 with a focus on our famous Parachute Dress – a wedding dress made from a World War II parachute with a spectacular 15-foot train.  Historical Commission Chair Alan Earls will talk about the social history and wartime pressures that brought tens of thousands of parachutes into service for the military, some of which eventually found their way back into the civilian economy. Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE
• The July Second Sunday Speaker, July, 2024 will be fashion expert, Ren (Karen) Antonowicz is from Spirits of Fashion, discussing some of the styles and details of dresses on display as well as the broader trends they represented. Doors open at 1 and the presentation begins at 1:15 at Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin, MA. FREE

Watch the museum website for updates and future programs. Questions? Email commission chair Alan Earls alan.r.earls@gmail.com

Frank Presents: Heath Nisbett (video)

Frank Falvey talks with Heath Nisbett about his performance at Franklin's PorchFest on Saturday, June 1.

14 Orchard Street

4:00 - 5:00      Heath Nisbett

5:15 - 6:00      Rayna Nisbett

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCf00HsUmDA

Frank Presents: Heath Nisbett (video)

Franklin PorchFest - Coming This Saturday, June 1st!

Get ready to listen to some great music from some talented performers and head over to the first ever Franklin's PorchFest - the music celebration is this Saturday, June 1st! 

There will be over 50 bands performing on over 30 different porch locations through the Cultural District and beyond including at the Town Common, Franklin Historical Museum and outside the Public Library.  

The PorchFest celebration kicks off at 12 noon this Saturday, 6/1 and the music continues till 6:00 pm - enjoy classic rock, jazz, alternative rock and solo performances from some of the best musicians - including over 20 directly from the Franklin area.  The complete schedule of performers, times and porch locations can be viewed at Franklin.PorchFest.Info .

Plan your day, the interactive online schedule allows you to search performances by time and porch locations -  and get to know the musicians by viewing the Performers Gallery that displays photos of the bands and you can even view the performers bio's.

PorchFest Details:

Date:  Saturday, June 1st

Time:  12:00 - 6:00 pm

Location:  Porch locations through Cultural District

View the online schedule at Franklin.PorchFest.Info and we'll see you at the celebration.

These signs are now showing Porchfest locations

Franklin's PorchFest Preview with Ryan Jette - one of the South Street Six (audio)

FM #1220 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1220 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the conversation with my Franklin TV & Radio colleague Frank Falvey. We are joined by Franklin’s Recreation Director Ryan Jette who wears 2 more hats for this discussion. Ryan plays as a member of the South Street 6 band scheduled for Franklin’s PorchFest, June 1. Ryan is also on the PorchFest Committee.

Our conversation starts with South Street Six, gets into PorchFest, meanders along to other cultural events in Franklin during the summer, and then comes back to finish with PorchFest. 

We met to record this conversation in the Franklin TV & Radio studios on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.  

PorchFest is a free event supported by the Franklin Cultural District. 

The conversation runs about 27 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Frank and Ryan.  Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1220-porchfest-preview-south-street-six-05-21-24

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Franklin PorchFest is scheduled for June 1 from noon to 6 PM (rain date Sunday, June 2)

PorchFest schedule and information -> https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#schedule 

South Street 6 -> https://www.facebook.com/southstreetsix 

Volunteer PorchFest Resident Committee: John LoPresti, Karilyn Hammer, Caryn Kearns (?), Susan Rohrbach, Roberta Trahan, Beth Wierling, and Ryan Jette

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin's PorchFest Preview with Ryan Jette - one of the South Street Six (audio)

Historical Museum is ready for the PorchFest Saturday, June 1 (video)

Alan Earls sat recently in the FranklinTV Studio with Frank Falvey and I to talk about the upcoming Franklin PorchFest scheduled for Saturday, June 1

Scheduled to perform at the Museum:

12:00 - 1:00 Jamie Barrett

2:00  - 3:00 Metrowest Symphony ensemble

4:00  - 6:00 Late Night Idle

The full schedule or performers and porches can be found ->   https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#schedule

Jamie Barrett is ready for PorchFest, Saturday June 1 (video)

Jamie Barrett sat with Frank Falvey to play a few of his original songs and talk of Franklin's PorchFest scheduled for June 1.

Jamie is scheduled to open the event at noon on the front porch at the Historical Museum, 80 West Central St.

video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCtlCkEMRSI

The full Franklin PorchFest schedule can be found ->   https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#schedule

Franklin TV: Porch Fest - Music – All Over Town

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/19/2024

The musicians are coming! The musicians are coming! On porches everywhere. On Saturday, June 1st, get ready for a ‘neighborhood block party’ all over town. It’s Franklin’s first-ever Porchfest – a huge music jam. I count at least, umm – 50? Here they are, all jammed onto 1 page. We’ll record as many as we can. (Whew!)

• 270 Cottage St 2:00 - 4:00 The Bittas – 5:00 - 6:00 W.M.D.
• 60 Dean Ave 2:00 - 4:00 Dave Warner Band
• 148 Dean Ave 1:00 - 2:00 Railroad picker
• 17 E Central Street, Birchwood Bakery 12:30 - 1:30 Jack & Aida
• 16 Fales Street 1:00 - 3:00 Matt Tremble – 4:30 - 6:00 A Touch of Grey
• 85 Hillside Rd 12:00 - 1:00 Berkshire Valley Boys – 2:00 - 4:00 Lincoln Street Groove Project 
• 94 Hillside Rd. 4:30 - 6:00 Orange Squeeze
• 9 Lincoln Street 12:00 - 1:00 Garden Of Hedon – 3:00 - 4:00 The Pub Kings 5:00 - 6:00 The Zajac Brothers Band
• 18 Lincoln Street 1:00 - 3:00 Dom DeBaggis – 3:45 - 5:45 Joe Marino
• 270 Main St. 12:00 - 1:00 Mark Legere – 2:00 - 4:00 Bucketlist 
• 164 Main Street 12:30 - 1:15 Jeff Roy of Ben Gardner's Boat, 1:45 - 2:30 Great Highland Bagpipe Player – 3:00 - 4:30 Critical Mass
• 171 Main Street, Federated Church 2:15 - 3:00 Ben Levy - 5:00 - 6:00 Average Joel 
• 36 Main Street, Intermission Cafe 12:00 - 6:00 FSPA Faculty, Students & Alumni 
• 118 Main Street, Public Library 12:00 - 1:00 Musical Memories with John & Linda, 2:00 - 3:00 The Bad Apples – 4:30 - 6:00 Spunky Bliss
• 201 Main Street, Town Common Gazebo 1:00 - 3:00 Franklin Public Schools Music 5:00 - 6:00 South Street Six
• 27 Marvin Ave 2:00 - 3:00 LIZ's KID – 5:00 - 6:00 Mike Mainuli
• 35 Marvin Ave 1:00 - 2:00 Cabana Knights – 3:00 - 4:00 Moonshot
• 14 Orchard Street 4:00 - 5:00 Heath Nisbett – 5:15 - 6:00 Rayna Nisbett
• 17 Park Rd 5:00 - 6:00 Ayre Time
• 24 Pearl Street 1:00 - 3:00 The Franklin Underground
• 99 Pleasant St 1:00-3:00 AK Cody & Wicked Northmen – 3:30-5:00 Grab the Wheel 
• 237 Pleasant Street 12:00 - 1:00 Grey Cats Band – 2:00 - 4:00 Wild Sundays
• 28 Queen Street 12:00 - 1:00 Sun Of Sound – 2:00 - 4:00 Slow Train
• 248 Summer St 2:00 - 4:00 According to Nancy – 5:00 - 6:00 Alfred Be Loud 
• 
  80 W. Central St., Historical Museum 12:00 - 1:00 Jamie Barrett 2:00 - 3:00 Metrowest Symphony ensemble 4:00 - 5:00 Greenwich Bay Brass ensemble
• 39 Union St 1:00 - 2:00 Kaye Kelly with Innover 
• 80 Union St 2:00 - 3:30 The KO Trio
• 17 Union Street 4:00 - 6:00 Dave Bauer & Diet Soda 
• 305 Union Street 2:00 - 3:00 DERT

Wowwerz! Who knew there was so much talent?

Thanks for listening to 102.9 wfpr●fm. 

And – as always – thanks for watching.

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin's PorchFest approaching June 1

We are less than 3 weeks away from the premier of Franklin PorchFest! This community event is intended to showcase our local talent and share Franklin’s love of culture and music.

Franklin's PorchFest approaching June 1

Our schedule is live on our website. There you will find the list of performers and the times and locations of their performances. 

Go to https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/#schedule for all the information you need to enjoy this community event. PorchFest runs from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 1st with a June 2nd rain date.

Together let’s keep Porchfest Positive! Please be respectful of our generous porch owners and our performers. PorchFest is a free event.

Also, PorchFest is a walkable event. Please do not walk in the streets or on the yards of neighboring properties. Obey traffic signals and crosswalks. Obey parking rules; lots are available in addition to street parking. Lots include the lot at the former Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School, Franklin Senior Center and Davis Thayer School. Handicapped parking is available at Main Street and High Street, Franklin Senior Center, and the Franklin Library. Do not block driveways.

Please obey our PorchFest Code of Conduct, applicable to all participants and performers. Public consumption of alcohol and marijuana is PROHIBITED. Massachusetts has a No Open Container law.

 

Dispose of trash properly … if trash cans are not available it is carry in/carry out.

Bathrooms will be available. We will have portable restrooms at Haywood Manor Parking Lot, 200 Main Street and at the Franklin Public Library Parking Lot, 132 Main Street. Additionally, restrooms are located at the Franklin Historical Museum at 80 West Central Street and inside the Franklin Public Library at 118 Main Street. Please do not ask homeowners to use their bathrooms.

If you’re not a porch owner or a musician and would still like to be involved, we invite you to sign up as a volunteer on our website.

Another way to help out is by supporting our local merchants as you enjoy Franklin PorchFest. Between band performances you can shop our independent Franklin businesses. Also, enjoy a lunch from one of Franklin's food venues and have a picnic while enjoying some great music.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to listen to great music and connect with Franklin's cultural community.

Check out the gallery of performers ->    https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/map.php#gallery

Check out the schedule of performances ->   https://franklin.porchfest.info/map/map.php#schedule

Download a PDF of the schedule ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hm4euH5QT-Xm5BouwKztYrRI0D1H8BU7/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin's PorchFest approaching June 1