The Franklin Downtown Partnership will officially kick off the holiday season with its 2nd Annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A tree-lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, music and refreshments are all part of the fun planned for revelers this year.
The festivities will begin with a tree lighting ceremony at Dean College in front of Dean Hall at 4:30 p.m. Carolers will lead the crowds in singing holiday classics while plenty of hot chocolate and goodies will help keep everyone warm and jolly.
From Dean College visitors can stroll through Franklin’s downtown, where they will find special promotions, entertainment, and food at more than 20 participating businesses.
Among the many highlights of the evening will be an appearance by Santa at Simon’s Furniture on Summer Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Radio station 103.3 WODS-FM, Boston’s holiday music specialist, will ring in the cheer by broadcasting holiday favorites live from the Berry Insurance parking lot on Main Street.
Children of all ages can paint an ornament at Party Paints N’ Pottery, and there will be a free drawing for framed art for everyone who signs up for the “Wish List for Holiday Gifts” at Jane’s Frames. At the Franklin School for the Performing Arts the Theater Troupe will perform and give away stockings. The Franklin Food Pantry has planned an Open House from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be accepting donations.
A complete listing of each businesses’ special offers and treats will be available at participating locations.
“Last year we were lucky to have a beautiful night and the crowds surpassed our expectations,” says Lisa Piana, executive director of the Partnership. “We are very happy to be able to bring the Holiday Stroll back for a second year and give our residents an added incentive to come downtown to eat and shop.
“Again this year we have been fortunate to have generous sponsors who make the Holiday Stroll the fun event that it has become,” adds Piana. “These events add to the sense of community we are trying to foster and we are excited there has been so much interest.”
The Gold Sponsor for this year’s stroll is Ferguson Enterprises. Silver Sponsors are Dean Bank, Keefe Insurance, Middlesex Savings Bank, and NHS Print. Bronze Sponsors include Ficco’s Bowladrome and Tedeschi Food Shops.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the Holiday Stroll should contact event coordinators Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, and Roberta Trahan, Roberta_icu1@verizon.net . Additional information, including sponsorship forms, can be found under the Events tab.
As a non-profit organization, the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors to run this and other events, including the Strawberry Festival, the Harvest Festival and Third Thursday events. For more information contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109, downtown.franklin@yahoo.com .
The festivities will begin with a tree lighting ceremony at Dean College in front of Dean Hall at 4:30 p.m. Carolers will lead the crowds in singing holiday classics while plenty of hot chocolate and goodies will help keep everyone warm and jolly.
From Dean College visitors can stroll through Franklin’s downtown, where they will find special promotions, entertainment, and food at more than 20 participating businesses.
Among the many highlights of the evening will be an appearance by Santa at Simon’s Furniture on Summer Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Radio station 103.3 WODS-FM, Boston’s holiday music specialist, will ring in the cheer by broadcasting holiday favorites live from the Berry Insurance parking lot on Main Street.
Children of all ages can paint an ornament at Party Paints N’ Pottery, and there will be a free drawing for framed art for everyone who signs up for the “Wish List for Holiday Gifts” at Jane’s Frames. At the Franklin School for the Performing Arts the Theater Troupe will perform and give away stockings. The Franklin Food Pantry has planned an Open House from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be accepting donations.
A complete listing of each businesses’ special offers and treats will be available at participating locations.
“Last year we were lucky to have a beautiful night and the crowds surpassed our expectations,” says Lisa Piana, executive director of the Partnership. “We are very happy to be able to bring the Holiday Stroll back for a second year and give our residents an added incentive to come downtown to eat and shop.
“Again this year we have been fortunate to have generous sponsors who make the Holiday Stroll the fun event that it has become,” adds Piana. “These events add to the sense of community we are trying to foster and we are excited there has been so much interest.”
The Gold Sponsor for this year’s stroll is Ferguson Enterprises. Silver Sponsors are Dean Bank, Keefe Insurance, Middlesex Savings Bank, and NHS Print. Bronze Sponsors include Ficco’s Bowladrome and Tedeschi Food Shops.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the Holiday Stroll should contact event coordinators Cindy Kozil, ckozil@dean.edu, and Roberta Trahan, Roberta_icu1@verizon.net . Additional information, including sponsorship forms, can be found under the Events tab.
As a non-profit organization, the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors to run this and other events, including the Strawberry Festival, the Harvest Festival and Third Thursday events. For more information contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109, downtown.franklin@yahoo.com .
