Franklin’s 23rd Annual Harvest Festival is set for Saturday, September 27, from 12 noon to 5 PM with the rain date on Sunday, September 28. This year’s festival will expand up Main Street with more activities at Dean College and the Franklin Library.
The Harvest Festival is the town’s largest event. Main Street will be busy with more than 135 booths and thousands of visitors from Franklin and beyond. It offers something for everyone. Live music, dancers, food, more kid activities, hand-made arts and crafts, local businesses, and opportunities to meet and learn more about community groups.
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| Harvest Festival |
Franklin Downtown Partnership organizes the festival. “The Harvest Festival is the ideal time to socialize, relax, and enjoy the community spirit,” said Scott Martin, President of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Harvest Festival Chair.
Here are some highlights to expect:
• Live music at the corner of Main Street and Dean Ave. Critical Mass, who performed at Franklin’s recent Porchfest, will play at 12 noon. Padula Brothers Band with FSPA at 2 pm.
• Radio station MyFM will broadcast live near the Little Shop of Olive Oils.
• Cool interactive exhibits: Science in action with the Children's Museum of Franklin; get the kids moving at the Hockomock Area YMCA's Gaga Pit; play literary lawn games and more at the Franklin Library. (Note: If it does rain Saturday, the Library events will move inside as the Library is closed on Sunday)
• At Dean College, the lawn in front of Dean Hall will be busy with Fall foods and music from their campus radio station Power 88.3 FM. A kid-friendly train ride will depart from Dean Hall.
• Franklin Art Association will raffle donated art, photography, and art supplies for their scholarship program for graduating seniors who plan to attend art school or study architecture.
• Lots of food throughout the festival and downtown. At the festival: cider donuts, cider, popcorn and hot chocolate will be sold at Dean Bank’s booth. Proceeds from their sales support Franklin Downtown Partnership for the event.
Then, stroll downtown to visit your favorite shops and eateries where you can enjoy other Fall-themed specials.
• Design your own cardboard portrait at the Cultural Hub tent. Create and share your likeness as part of a larger public art display. The portraits will symbolize the many unique faces and stories that make up Franklin’s commitment to hospitality, creativity, and cultural connection.
• Touch-a-Truck and Sparky the firedog at the fire station.
• Snack on popcorn at Franklin Historical Museum. Inside, check out mid-century film clips from Franklin’s Chilson Collection with familiar landmarks as they looked 80 years ago. At 3:30, make music with Karaoke, Kazoos and Cookies.
“We have a great town and the Downtown Partnership does a fabulous job organizing the festival. It’s about the community and a chance for businesses to show what they have. We bring people together and have an event that’s safe, family-oriented, accessible and affordable,” said Roberta Trahan, working as vendor coordinator along with Pandora Carlucci.
Extending the festival up Main Street has been a goal for Executive Director Lisa Piana and FDP President Scott Martin for a number years. “Expanding it connects us more to Dean College and the library,” Piana explained.
“It’s a community event from beginning to end. We get support from FDP members, volunteers in our community, the police, the DPW. So many people plan it, work it, then have the joy of being together at the festival,” she added.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Franklin businesses. Harvest Festival is made possible because of the generosity of our local business sponsors,” Piana added. This year’s sponsors include these companies:
- Platinum – Dean Bank, G & C Plumbing & Heating; Local Town Pages Franklin
- Gold – Camford Property Group, Inc.; Dean College; Hockomock YMCA; Middlesex Savings Bank
- Silver – Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc.; Glen Meadow Apartments-Schochet Companies.; Notturno Home Services; Rockland Trust Bank; The Enclave of Franklin
- Bronze – Beaux Regards Photographic Art; Chestnut Dental Associates; Connell Roofing, Inc.; DCU-Digital Federal Credit Union; D.G. Ranieri Real Estate; Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.; Elizabeth’s Bagels; Fenton Financial Group; Keefe Insurance; Kumon of Franklin; MyFM Radio; Simon’s Furniture; Sunrise Montessori School; The Nautilus Center for Mental Health; Turtle 2 Properties
For festival updates and to keep up with FDP’s many activities throughout the year follow them on Instagram and Facebook:
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The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization made up of more than 350 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.
