Tuesday, May 28, 2013

2013 Strawberry Stroll Press Release


Franklin’s Strawberry Stroll to be Thursday, June 13
Enjoy Strawberry Shortcake and Stroll Downtown from 4:00-7:00

The Franklin Downtown Partnership expects to dish up more than 700 sweet, juicy strawberry shortcakes at this year’s Strawberry Stroll on Thursday, June 13. The event will be held downtown from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., rain or shine. 

The FDP’s famous strawberry shortcakes will be served up by Dean Bank’s branch staff in front of the bank on Main Street. Volunteers expect to cut more than 160 quarts of red, ripe strawberries for the stroll. Garelick Farms will provide cases of whipped cream to top off the mouth-watering dessert. 

“We have seen great success with the transition of the event from a festival to a stroll. It encourages families to walk through the downtown and visit the local businesses. We are excited for our first event of the year and appreciate the continuing support of our local sponsors,” says Nicole Fortier, event chairperson. 

Sponsorship row will feature the event’s backers. Platinum sponsors for this event are Big Y World Class Market and Dean Bank. Silver sponsors are Dean College, Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU), Middlesex Savings Bank and Garelick Farms. Bronze sponsors are Chestnut Dental Associates and Franklin Ford, and at the Friends sponsor level CVS Pharmacy, Insanity All-Stars and Keefe Insurance. Music will be provided at the event by Music Odyssey Productions featuring Domenic Cotoia. The Franklin Art Center will have an art show and a sidewalk chalk design project for kids.

Participating businesses throughout downtown plan sweet and spring-themed specials for the afternoon. Singer and guitarist Kevin Wolfe will be performing outside Pisini Shoes on Main Street. At Jane’s Frames owner Jane Curran will have a special “Kids Create” art project for kids of all ages to participate in. 

The Historical Museum invites the public to its wedding gown display and A Cut Above will give out free hair tinsel, cider and cookiesMany other downtown businesses also are offering store specials and discounts.  Visitors can stroll downtown and visit booths in front of local businesses.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this popular event. For more information contact Event Chair Nicole Fortier at nfortier@deanbank.com or Bryan Taberner at btaberner@franklin.ma.us. More information is also available on the Partnership’s website at www.franklindowntownpartnership.com.  As a non-profit organization, the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors for events including the Harvest Festival and the Holiday Stroll. 

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development downtown in order to create a positive impact throughout the area, and to be a pro-active organization that brings residents, business owners and community leaders together, encourages cooperation and builds leadership for the purpose of revitalizing downtown Franklin. For more information please contact the FDP downtown office at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.  

A Google Docs version of this release is available here.