Come celebrate the sights, sounds and sweet tastes of the holiday season at the Franklin Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 5, from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. The evening promises fun for the whole family, including a visit from Santa, holiday crafts, live entertainment, tempting treats and seasonal shopping deals at local businesses.
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| Franklin Downtown Partnership |
The Stroll will begin with a traditional tree lighting, complete with carolers, gingerbread men and hot cocoa, at 4 p.m. in front of Dean Hall on the Dean College Campus. From there revelers can stroll through downtown Franklin and explore the festivities at more than 30 participating businesses. A complete listing of each location’s special offerings will be available at the tree lighting and at participating locations.
“Downtown Franklin really shines during the Holiday Stroll,” says Roberta Trahan of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and co-chair of the event. “Families can make an evening of it. They can visit Santa, do a little shopping, listen to a handbell choir, have dinner together, and explore new shops, all while staying close to home.”
Fresh from the tree lighting, visitors can stop by Dean Bank to decorate gingerbread men and hear enchanting performances by the students of the Mount St. Charles Hand Bell Choir at 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
At Santa’s Workshop next to Rockland Trust Bank, the Franklin Girl Scouts will help little ones write letters to Santa and create holiday crafts from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Santa himself will greet children at Simon’s Furniture from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Around the corner from Simon’s, new business Terry Louison Photography invites everyone to stop in for a portrait at the holiday-themed photo booth.
There will be plenty of opportunities to do some holiday shopping at participating businesses. Browse for locally made gifts, plan a holiday party, pick up a gift certificate and catch some martial arts demonstrations while staying warm at the “Holiday Bazaar” located inside the Depot Plaza building next to Acapulco’s on Main Street.
Music and entertainment will fill the downtown. Milford radio station WMRC 1490-AM will broadcast holiday music live at the event. Dean College’s costumed carolers and its a cappella group, Vocal Conviction, will sing at the tree lighting. Franklin High School groups Take 5 and The Salzillo Jazz Trio will appear at downtown locations, and the Franklin Dance Company will entertain the crowds outside Simon’s.
Other venues around town not to be missed include Jane’s Frames, where musician Jamie Barrett will perform, and the Fire Station, which will have a fire engine for the kids to climb upon.
With all of these activities, visitors will work up an appetite. Many businesses will lure shoppers through their doors with holiday treats and warm beverages, and several downtown restaurants will offer meal deals that night.
While strolling, visitors will notice red collection bins at many locations. The Franklin Food Elves, a charitable community service group, will be collecting non-perishable goods for the Franklin Food Pantry as part of the “12 Days of Donating” campaign. The food drive will run through the first two weeks of December.
“It’s important to remember that the holidays are also a time to give back, and in that vein the Franklin Downtown Partnership is working with the Food Elves to help make the ‘12 Days of Donating’ drive another big success,” says Gregg Chalk, Holiday Stroll co-chair. “Last year, due to the generosity of our community, the Food Pantry had resources that lasted into March. We are proud to work with these students and make such a difference.”
The Food Elves will have a drop-off bin placed at the tree lighting ceremony and at Partnership member businesses including Dean College, Dean Bank, DCU, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, the Franklin Downtown Partnership office, Jane’s Frames, Murphy Business and Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits.
This year’s Holiday Stroll is made possible by Platinum Sponsor Big Y World Class Market, and by Gold Sponsors Dean Bank, Dean College, DCU and Middlesex Savings Bank. Silver Sponsors are D. G. Ranieri Real Estate, Local Town Pages Franklin and Franklin Ford, and Bronze Sponsors are the Franklin Girl Scouts of Southeastern Massachusetts and Simon’s Furniture.
For more information about the Holiday Stroll contact co-chairs Gregg Chalk, gchalk@dean.edu, or Roberta Trahan, roberta_icu1@verizon.net.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin. For more information about the Partnership please go to our website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/, or contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.
