Franklin Harvest Festival Continues to Grow
Once again the Franklin Downtown Partnership expects this year’s seventh annual Harvest Festival to be even larger than in years past. With more food vendors, more music and entertainment, a classic car show and more than 100 crafters, the Partnership predicts close to 3,500 visitors will attend this year’s event.
The festival will be Sunday, September 26, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. There is no rain date scheduled. The event will be held in downtown Franklin on Main Street, East Central Street, West Central Street and Summer Street.
“We plan to have something for everyone,” says Lisa Piana, the Partnership’s executive director. “We will have classic cars for the guys, games for the kids, and plenty of crafters for everyone.”
Three bands will entertain the crowds. Local favorites Random Play will perform on East Central Street at the Cafe Dolce patio, Knuf Said will appear on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant, and Nothing to No One will take the stage on Main Street.
One new addition this year is the Historical Museum will be open for tours. Volunteers will hold a bake sale with apple cider served on the porch. Other highlights include the Farmers Market, painting demonstrations, and a children’s area filled with games, face painting and a moon walk.
More food vendors have been added to the mix this year. Along with the Partnership’s food stand selling hot dogs and slushies at Dean Bank, there will be booths set up at the Berry Insurance parking lot offering sausage sandwiches, fried dough, lemonade, chicken and hamburgers. “The food vendors were a hit last year so we added even more for this weekend. Visitors should definitely come hungry,” says Mary Graff, festival coordinator.
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is this year’s Gold Sponsor, and Middlesex Savings Bank is the Silver Sponsor. Bronze Sponsors include Chestnut Dental Associates, CVS Pharmacy, Dean Bank, Ferguson Enterprises, NHS Print, Ten Key, Inc., and Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan and Cannon, P.C. According to Executive Director Lisa Piana, “We are able to have this festival each year due to the generosity of our sponsors and the support from the police department.” As a non-profit organization the FDP depends on sponsors to fund all events.
Visitors to the festival can find parking at the old municipal building on Emmons Street, Dean College on West Central Street, and at the library. Traffic will be detoured from East Central Street to Cottage Street. Visitors should plan accordingly since Main Street will be closed.
Anyone who would like to sponsor future events should contact the FDP at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com. Any business or resident who would like to become a member can call (774)571-3109, visit the office at 9 East Central, or go to http://franklindowntownparntership.blogspot.com. The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development in the downtown to create a positive impact throughout the area.
The festival will be Sunday, September 26, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. There is no rain date scheduled. The event will be held in downtown Franklin on Main Street, East Central Street, West Central Street and Summer Street.
“We plan to have something for everyone,” says Lisa Piana, the Partnership’s executive director. “We will have classic cars for the guys, games for the kids, and plenty of crafters for everyone.”
Three bands will entertain the crowds. Local favorites Random Play will perform on East Central Street at the Cafe Dolce patio, Knuf Said will appear on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant, and Nothing to No One will take the stage on Main Street.
One new addition this year is the Historical Museum will be open for tours. Volunteers will hold a bake sale with apple cider served on the porch. Other highlights include the Farmers Market, painting demonstrations, and a children’s area filled with games, face painting and a moon walk.
More food vendors have been added to the mix this year. Along with the Partnership’s food stand selling hot dogs and slushies at Dean Bank, there will be booths set up at the Berry Insurance parking lot offering sausage sandwiches, fried dough, lemonade, chicken and hamburgers. “The food vendors were a hit last year so we added even more for this weekend. Visitors should definitely come hungry,” says Mary Graff, festival coordinator.
Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is this year’s Gold Sponsor, and Middlesex Savings Bank is the Silver Sponsor. Bronze Sponsors include Chestnut Dental Associates, CVS Pharmacy, Dean Bank, Ferguson Enterprises, NHS Print, Ten Key, Inc., and Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan and Cannon, P.C. According to Executive Director Lisa Piana, “We are able to have this festival each year due to the generosity of our sponsors and the support from the police department.” As a non-profit organization the FDP depends on sponsors to fund all events.
Visitors to the festival can find parking at the old municipal building on Emmons Street, Dean College on West Central Street, and at the library. Traffic will be detoured from East Central Street to Cottage Street. Visitors should plan accordingly since Main Street will be closed.
Anyone who would like to sponsor future events should contact the FDP at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com. Any business or resident who would like to become a member can call (774)571-3109, visit the office at 9 East Central, or go to http://franklindowntownparntership.blogspot.com. The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development in the downtown to create a positive impact throughout the area.
