Friday, September 30, 2016

Harvest Stroll Press Release (Late September)


It has been many decades since a hay wagon was regularly spotted on Main Street in downtown Franklin, but you’ll see that and other sure signs of autumn on Thursday, October 6, at the Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Stroll.

The Partnership has added several new attractions to the annual fall event, including the hayride, two children’s activities areas, more entertainers and delicious food options. The Stroll runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. rain or shine.

The Harvest Stroll also gives the Franklin community a chance to celebrate the completion of the Roadway and Streetscape Improvement project. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic for the Stroll, and the party will continue on West Central Street and part of East Central Street, too.

“With this street festival, we invite the community to celebrate the many positive advances in downtown Franklin. The Partnership is celebrating its 15-year anniversary, the downtown revitalization project is nearly complete, and Franklin is on the cusp of even more positive growth. It’s time for the community to experience the downtown’s growth first hand,” says Scott Martin, event co-chair.
The Stroll will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially mark the completion of the two-year construction project. Join town administrators, Franklin Downtown Partnership members and state officials at the top of Main Street to cheer the beginning of the next phase of revitalization.

From there, visitors can sample fall-themed foods, watch talented local entertainers, dance to tunes courtesy of Music Odyssey Productions, discover shopping specials and learn about helpful community resources at more than 50 vendor booths and store locations.

The hayride, sponsored by Hillside Nurseries, will operate near the Post Office on Main Street. The Hockomock Area YMCA’s Bernon Family Branch in Franklin will operate two children’s areas; one in the Century 21 parking lot on Main Street and the other in THE BLACK BOX parking lot on West Central Street. New activities that will get the kids moving include a bouncy house and an inflatable obstacle course.

At THE BLACK BOX, watch FPAC members perform selected numbers from their upcoming production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Performances will be inside the theater at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Additionally, visitors can enter to win two free tickets to a “Fiddler” performance of their choice.

Farther up West Central Street, the Fire Station will hold its popular “Touch-A-Truck” event. The Franklin Historical Museum will feature entertainment and a miniature metals exhibit.

Along with performances at THE BLACK BOX and the Museum, entertainers will also perform at Dean Bank and Rockland Trust. Jamie Barrett will sing and strum his guitar for the crowds at Jane’s Frames, and Stroll-favorite DJ Domenic Cotoia will entertain crowds in the Century 21 parking lot.

“This is the type of downtown block party we’ve been anticipating ever since the road construction project started. We’d like everyone to come see the improvements, enjoy the new amenities, and get to know new businesses,” says Lisa Piana, FDP Executive Director. “For 15 years FDP members have worked hard to bring more economic viability to downtown Franklin and we look forward to showing off the progress that’s been made so far.”

The 14th annual fall event is made possible by sponsorship of several local businesses.

Middlesex Savings Bank and Rockland Trust are Gold Sponsors.

Dean Bank, Franklin Ford and Keefe Insurance are Silver Sponsors.

Beaux Regards Photographic Art by Marjorie Sardella, Chestnut Dental, Digital Federal Credit Union, Michael Dunsky, Branch Manager Guaranteed Rate, Inc., and Hillside Nurseries are Bronze Sponsors.

D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, Maven Hair Company, Rescom Exteriors, Simon’s Furniture, The Franklin Historical Museum and Tom Fricker Heating & A/C, Inc. are Friends Sponsors.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is celebrating its 15th year as a non-profit, 501©3 organization made up of businesses, residents and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. The Partnership runs events such as the Strawberry Stroll, the Harvest Stroll and the Holiday Stroll, and is involved in streetscape and design efforts, greenspace and sculpture projects. New members are always welcome. Learn more at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.   



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Monday, September 26, 2016

15th Anniversary Gala Forms: Donations, Sponsorships, Auction Items

On November 12, the Franklin Downtown Partnership will celebrate it's 15th Anniversary with a Gala at THE BLACK BOX. 

The goal of the Gala is to celebrate the revitalization of downtown Franklin and to raise funds that will allow our non-profit organization continue working on improvements and bringing events such as the Harvest Stroll, Holiday Stroll and Strawberry Stroll to the community.

The Partnership is looking for sponsors and donations for the silent auction to be held that night. Below you'll find the Gala Donation Letter, the Gala Sponsorship Letter and the Auction Item Donation Sheet.

Questions? Contact event co-chair Beth Wierling at wierling.beth@gmail.com.

Gala Donation Letter



Gala Sponsorship Letter


Auction Item Donation Sheet



Wednesday, September 21, 2016

15th Anniversary Gala Invitation

You are invited to our 15th Anniversary Gala! It'll be a fun night of great food, music and friends, and we'll have amazing auction and raffle items donated by local businesses to bid on. 

Tell your friends, share this invitation, and buy your tickets today! Go to www.fdp15thanniversaryceleb/eventbrite.com for tickets and information.



Thursday, September 15, 2016

Networking Luncheon Tuesday, September 20


Join Franklin Downtown Partnership members, meet new contacts and strengthen connections, all for $6.55! 

Networking Luncheon
Tuesday, September 20
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Dean College Dining Center 

RSVP:  mlechter@dean.edu or gary.donelan@middlesexbank.com.

Future Networking Luncheons will be on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Dean College Dining Center. 




Tuesday, September 13, 2016

September General Meeting Agenda

Note - this month's meeting will be held in the Campanella Board Room, first floor of the Dean College Campus Center.


Thursday, September 15, 2016
Dean College Campus Center @ 8:30 am
Campanella Board Room

I. Open Meeting 8:30

II. Adoption of Agenda 8:32

III. Streetscape Update: Jamie Hellen/Jeff Nutting 8:35

IV. Harvest Stroll: Scott Martin 8:50

V. Gala Update: Jane Curran 9:00

VI. FDP Update: Lisa Piana 9:05

VII. Guest Speaker: Rod Crochiere 9:10
Owner of Social Media Management

VIII. New Business 9:25

IX. Adjourn 9:30


This meeting will feature guest speaker Rod Crochiere, owner of Social Media Management. A new Franklin resident and Partnership member, Rod will present important information about posting to social media and its many benefits, as well as being safe about what you post.  Learn about the different types of social media accounts, how to access them, how they can be used, and how to set up new groups.


Rod has 17 years of experience in IT, with more than 10 years working for internet service providers, and he holds current network security certifications with Barracuda Firewall.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Harvest Stroll Press Release: Participation Deadline Next Week

Main Street booths, 2014. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Oct. 6 for the Harvest Stroll.

Celebrate fall and the completion of the Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project at the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Harvest Stroll on Thursday, October 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Partnership is planning exciting new attractions for its 14th annual fall festival, including a hayride, delicious food options, a variety of entertainers, and more games and activities for kids.

Main Street will be closed to car traffic for the event, which also will include participating businesses and activities along Summer, East Central and West Central streets. Join members of the FDP and state and local government at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Main Street to officially mark the revitalization project.

“We have a lot to celebrate this year. The downtown revitalization project is nearly complete and the downtown is more walk-able than ever before. The Franklin Downtown Partnership is excited to invite the community to our fall street festival and showcase the unique offerings of our local businesses,” says Scott Martin, event co-chair.

Organizers expect thousands of visitors to enjoy the party that evening, sampling fall-themed foods and activities, watching talented local artists, discovering shopping specials and learning about helpful community resources at more than 50 booths and locations downtown.

“We invite everyone to come see first-hand the revitalization of our downtown and enjoy the new amenities,” says Lisa Piana, FDP Executive Director. “For 15 years FDP members have worked hard to bring more economic viability to downtown Franklin and we look forward to showing off the progress that’s been made so far.”

There is still time for crafters, organizations, performers and interested community groups to participate in the Harvest Stroll. Booths are free to FDP members and cost $75 for non-members ($150 for non-member food vendors). Registrations are due by September 15. Forms can be found on www.franklindowntownpartnership.org or on the FDP Facebook page. Contact Scott Martin at scottm@hockymca.org with questions.

Sponsorship Row vendors, 2015
Many local businesses are sponsoring this event. Middlesex Savings Bank and Rockland Trust are Gold Sponsors.

Dean Bank, Franklin Ford and Keefe Insurance are Silver Sponsors.

Beaux Regards Photographic Art by Marjorie Sardella, Chestnut Dental, Digital Federal Credit Union, Michael Dunsky, Branch Manager Guaranteed Rate, Inc., and Hillside Nurseries are Bronze Sponsors.

D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, the Franklin Historical Museum, Maven Hair Company, Rescom Exteriors, Simon’s Furniture and Tom Fricker Heating & A/C, Inc. are Friends Sponsors.

If you would like to sponsor this event, please contact the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774) 571-3109. Sponsorship forms and a full list of opportunities can be found on the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, under the Sponsors tab.


The Franklin Downtown Partnership is celebrating its 15th year as a non-profit, 501©3 organization made up of businesses, residents and community leaders working to revitalize downtown Franklin. The Partnership runs events such as the Strawberry Stroll, the Harvest Stroll and the Holiday Stroll, and is involved in streetscape and design efforts, greenspace and sculpture projects. New members are always welcome. Learn more at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.   


Entertainment, 2015



Monday, September 5, 2016

Happy Labor Day!

Enjoy your celebration!