Our 2018 Events Press Release

Franklin Downtown Partnership Announces 2018 Event, Meeting Dates

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has set the dates for its 2018 events and meetings, and a few of those events have new dates and times thanks to input from members and Franklin residents.

The annual Strawberry Stroll, which traditionally had been held on Thursday afternoons, will be Friday, June 8, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Residents told us that holding the Strawberry Stroll on a Friday evening would make it easier for them to come downtown and enjoy the event,” says Executive Director Lisa Piana. “The feedback told us more families could spend time together downtown without the Stroll competing with after-school activities and sports. We think it will be a very positive change for families and for our downtown businesses and restaurants.”

Thanks to a member’s suggestion, the Partnership’s networking events are now monthly breakfast meetings (instead of lunch) held in the Dean College dining center. The first breakfast meeting in January drew 15 members who shared ideas and enjoyed a meal for less than $6.

Future networking breakfasts are scheduled for March 16 and April 20. Everyone is invited to drop in between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. and join the discussion over a cup of coffee or a delicious meal.

The general public is invited to the FDP general meetings to hear the latest news about events, downtown projects, town updates and member announcements. General meetings are scheduled for the following Thursdays: April 5, June 14, September 6 and November 1. Meetings begin at 8:30 a.m., last one hour, and are usually held in the Campanella Board Room in the Dean College Campus Center.

Downtown Franklin’s annual Beautification Day will be Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to Noon. Groups are encouraged to volunteer and community service hours are available.

Eileen Mason coordinates the effort for the FDP along with the Franklin Garden Club.

The Harvest Festival will happen Saturday, October 13, with a rain date of Sunday, October 14. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown.

Winter Decorating Day will be Sunday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to Noon. Organizer  Eileen Mason will need volunteers for Sunday and also on Saturday the 17^th to help sort greens.

The Holiday Stroll date is still under consideration by the FDP Board and will be announced in a timely manner.

 More information and a handy downloadable event list can be found at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, and on the FDP’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Follow the Partnership for updates and notifications about sponsorship and participation opportunities.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of more than 240 business owners, community leaders and residents working to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. Go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/ for more information. 

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2018 Events and Meeting Dates

Looking ahead to a great 2018!

Happy New Year! 

It's hard to believe we're already a few weeks into 2018 but we've already survived the Bomb Cyclone, record cold temperatures and a few snow days. 

This week's warm up has us positively optimistic that 2018 will be a good year, and we're busy planning events, speakers, networking opportunities and other ways to collaborate and create.  

The official schedule will be out soon; in the meantime, here are some event and meeting dates to whet your appetite.

Strawberry Stroll Recap, Thank Yous and Photos

WOW - what a sweet Strawberry Stroll!

What an afternoon it was -- Mother Nature was incredibly kind to us yesterday and the sun came out early for our 15th annual Strawberry Stroll! It was the largest spring event we've had with more than 70 vendors and huge crowds. 

Hundreds came out to spend time with friends and neighbors in downtown Franklin, enjoying music and dancing, playing games, meeting new business owners, sampling goodies from local restaurants and shops, and devouring the Partnership's Strawberry Shortcakes, which sold out in only two short hours. 

Thank you to our event organizers Beth Wierling and Jennifer Hurst for the many hours spent coordinating the Stroll! 

Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors! As our events continue to grow each year we count on our sponsors more than ever. The Franklin Downtown Partnership continues to provide these types of community events because of this support.

Platinum Sponsor Dean Bank

Past FDP President Nicole Fortier returned for the afternoon's festivities!

Gold Sponsor Dean College - Thank you for providing the sliced and sugared strawberries and the biscuits!

Bronze Sponsors Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Franklin Ford, Keefe Insurance, and Middlesex Savings Bank.

Friends Sponsors Atria Franklin, Envoy Mortgage, Flynn|Wirkus|Young Attorneys, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, Garelick, Historical Museum and Cultural District, Jane's Frames, LeafFilter, My FM Media, Rescom Exteriors, Simon's Furniture, and Tom Fricker Heating & A/C Inc. 

A dozen volunteers helped with planning, set-up and clean-up, vendor directing, tent erecting, and question answering - thank you all! 

We'd like to thank the Franklin Police Department for expertly diverting and directing traffic and keeping all of us safe to enjoy the event. 

Thanks, too, to the Franklin Department of Public Works for the street sweeping, cones, bins, and more. 

Oteri & Son Funeral Home loaned us chairs so guests could enjoy Strawberry Shortcakes while sitting if they wanted to - thank you!

And many thanks to the Red Devils Car Club for showing off those beautiful classic cars at the Historical Museum and BLACK BOX parking lots. 

We have many more photos to see on our Facebook page!

Parking Alert for Main Street

No Parking on Main Street after 12 p.m. today

There will be no parking on Main Street after Noon today to allow for set-up for the Strawberry Stroll. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic at 2 p.m. and will re-open after the event.

Between 12 and 2 p.m., only vendors will be allowed onto Main Street to drop off display materials, after which they will move their vehicles. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

The forecasters are saying the SUN will come out on Thursday! 
Just in time for our Strawberry Stroll that afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m.

Police will close down Main Street for the event, so plan accordingly.

See you there!