Thursday, February 9, 2017

2017 FDP Events Press Release


The Franklin Downtown Partnership announces its 2017 dates for the Strawberry Stroll, a Saturday Harvest Festival, Holiday Stroll, Spring and Winter Beautification days, and two Progressive Dinners. The Partnership also announces its General Meeting dates and Spring Networking Luncheons, all of which are open to the public.

Downtown Beautification Day will be Saturday, May 20, 8:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Partnership, the Franklin Garden Club and volunteers will install hundreds of flowers and greens throughout downtown and on the Common. Community service hours will be available to students. Contact Eileen Mason, emason4234@gmail.com, for more information about the event, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. Winter Beautification Day will be Sunday, November 19.

The third Downtown Franklin Progressive Dinner will be Sunday, May 21, beginning at 5 p.m. Groups of diners will celebrate Franklin’s food and entertainment options by enjoying appetizers, soup or salad, dinner and dessert at three different downtown restaurants. Guests will wrap up their dining tour with local entertainment and a silent auction. Menus and ticket information will be available on the FDP website and social media closer to the event date. To learn more or be involved in the event please contact Jane Curren at janeframe@verizon.net. Another progressive dinner will be scheduled for September.

The 14th annual Strawberry Stroll will happen Thursday, June 8, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Join your neighbors and friends as we welcome warmer weather with the Downtown Partnership’s mouth-watering Strawberry Shortcakes, enjoy live entertainment and shop a sidewalk sale. If you would like to sponsor this event please contact event Co-chair Nicole Fortier, nfortier@deanbank.com.

Now that the Streetscape Project is completed, the Downtown Partnership is happy to announce the weekend-day Harvest Festival is back for this year. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 14, from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. In case of rain, the Harvest Festival will be held Sunday, October 15. Business and community group booths, games, a YMCA children’s area, delicious food, fall crafts, and live local entertainment will draw thousands of people downtown for a great afternoon with their neighbors. Beth Simon and Scott Martin will co-chair this festival.

The family favorite Holiday Stroll will be Thursday, December 7, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. The FDP’s holiday celebration will include a tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa, his elves and Mrs. Claus, gift shopping, holiday crafts for kids, live entertainment, and food and drink specials. Roberta Trahan will chair this event.

All FDP events and beautification efforts are possible thanks to business and resident memberships, donations and sponsorships. Franklin residents can join the Partnership for $25, and business memberships start as low as $100. Membership dues and donations are tax deductible. Check the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, for an application.

The FDP General Meetings will be February 2, April 6, June 1 and September 7. The Thursday meetings will be held at 8:30 a.m., with the exception of September’s meeting, which will be in the evening; all meetings are held at the Dean College Campus Center. The Partnership invites business owners, organization leaders and all interested residents to come learn more about issues affecting downtown Franklin.

The FDP Networking Luncheons are an inexpensive and delicious venue to make connections, share business ideas and develop partnerships with other Franklin area business people. This spring’s events are scheduled for February 14, March 14, April 11 and May 2; all luncheons take place on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Smith Dining Center at Dean College. Matt Lechter, mlechter@dean.edu, and Gary Donelan, gary.donelan@middlesexbank.com, co-chair the networking efforts.

More information about each event, meeting, sponsorship, membership and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FranklinDowntownPartnership.org or on Twitter at @FranklinDowntwn.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. The FDP currently has more than 200 members and welcomes all businesses and residents. For more information, please contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com. 


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