Downtown Franklin Strawberry Stroll to be Thursday, June 8
Celebrate summer in Franklin with ripe, juicy strawberries and fluffy shortcakes topped with sweet whipped cream while enjoying entertainment, shopping sidewalk sales and checking out classic cars.
Do it all at the 15th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Strawberry Stroll on Thursday, June 8. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m., rain or shine, in downtown Franklin.
People will find activities to enjoy on Main, East and West Central Streets. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the event, something organizers have wanted to make happen for years.
“We are very excited to close Main Street for the first time for the Strawberry Stroll, and we’re bringing in more booths, more music and entertainment, and making more room to enjoy the strawberry shortcakes. We’re planning a lot of great activities for families who can enjoy the Stroll and have easy access to our downtown shops and restaurants,” says Beth Wierling, event co-organizer.
Dean Bank’s staff is serving up the signature Strawberry Shortcakes under the tents in front of the bank, layering more than 800 shortcakes with nearly 200 quarts of berries, sliced and sugared by Dean College, and using dozens of cans of Garelick Farms whipped cream to top off the desserts.
“Dean Bank employees always enjoy serving the shortcakes and we look forward to this event every year,” says co-organizer Jennifer Hurst. “This Stroll is a fun way to meet our customers and their families while giving back to our community. Hopefully we’ll see some nice spring weather to bring out the crowds.”
Music and entertainment can be found in five locations this year. Jamie Barrett will entertain the crowds at Jane’s Frames. DJ Dominic Cotoia of Music Odyssey Productions will play a mix of popular music in the Main Street lot, and dance pros and students from Fred Astaire Franklin will perform.
Kevin Wolfe and James McCue will play at Pisini Shoes, and Guitarist Andrew Barry, a Berklee College of Music alum, will perform at Dean Bank next to the shortcake booth.
Catch the dance students from Feet In Motion Dance Studio and other entertainers in front of the Post Office, and look for Franklin High School student musicians performing at various locations around town.
On West Central Street, don’t miss the Classic Car Show at the Franklin Historical Museum and THE BLACK BOX. The Museum is also opening its popular Bridal exhibit that night.
The 15th annual Strawberry Stroll is made possible by support from generous local sponsors.
Dean Bank is the Platinum sponsor and Dean College is the Gold sponsor of this event.
Bronze sponsors are Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Franklin Ford, Keefe Insurance and Middlesex Savings Bank.
Friends sponsors are Atria Franklin, Envoy Mortgage, Flynn/Wirkus/Young – Attorneys, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, Franklin Historical Museum and Cultural District, Garelick Farms, Jane’s Frames, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, My FM Media, Rescom Exteriors, Simon’s Furniture and Tom Fricker Heating & AC, Inc.
There are still openings for businesses or groups that want to participate. Contact Beth Wierling at strawberrystroll@gmail.com for information.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501©3 organization made up of 240 residents, business owners and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. The Partnership manages events like the Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival and Holiday Stroll, and initiatives such as beautification, streetscape design, greenspace and sculpture projects. For more information go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.
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