Harvest Festival October 13

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is planning downtown Franklin’s Harvest Festival for Saturday, October 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In case of rain the event will take place on Sunday, October 14. 

Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic for the event which will feature music, entertainers, delicious foods, crafts, give-aways, sidewalk sales and more. For the first time, the Harvest Festival will also host a Fall Craft Beer & Wine Tent. 

In mid-August, the Partnership will post a link to register online through the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org. Booths are free to 2018 FDP business members and $125 for non-members. The registration deadline for participants is September 20. Downtown business owners need to send in a registration to secure store-front space. A late charge of $35 will be added to registration forms received after September 20, and no registrations will be accepted after September 30. Booth space is expected to sell-out prior to the deadline so businesses are encouraged to sign up during August if they want to secure a booth. 

“Traditionally, the Harvest Festival has been our biggest FDP event,” said FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana. “We expect this year will also be incredibly popular and we’re excited to bring such a vibrant event to downtown Franklin.”

Sponsors are needed to help support the Harvest Festival. Sponsorship forms are posted on the FDP website. Alternatively, business owners can contact the FDP office. Questions about the Harvest Festival should be directed to Scott Martin, chair of the Harvest Festival, at fdpharvestfest@gmail.com.

FDP General Meeting June 14

Join us Thursday for the last FDP general meeting until September. The Campanella Room is located on the first floor of the Dean College Campus Center across from the Dining Center. 

2018 Strawberry Stroll

The 16th annual Strawberry Stroll was the best one ever! Thousands of people flooded Main Street in downtown Franklin to visit 100 vendors, and enjoy musical entertainment, activities, and of course, strawberry shortcake!

Thank you to the co-chairs of the Strawberry Stroll Committee Beth Wierling and Jen Hurst, as well as the many volunteers who donated their time and energy to make the event successful!

Many thanks to the Franklin DPW for their help in setting up this event and the Franklin Police Department for directing traffic and keeping everyone safe!

Also, thanks to the wonderful musicians who kept adults and children entertained throughout the evening!

The Strawberry Stroll would not be possible without sponsorships by area businesses. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of these sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor: 

Dean Bank

Gold Sponsor: 

Dean College

Silver Sponsors:

Atria-Franklin

Franklin Cultural Council

Keefe Insurance

Bronze Sponsors:

Chestnut Dental

DCU

Franklin Ford

Glen Meadow Apartments

Middlesex Savings Bank

Teen Revolution

Friends Sponsors:

Franklin Central Pizza

Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center

Renewal by Andersen

Tom Fricker Heating & A/C, Inc.

See many more photos on our Facebook page! View the 2018 Strawberry Stroll photo album! 

Highlights of the 2018 Strawberry Stroll

Wondering what's in store at the Strawberry Stroll? Check out the highlights here. Better yet, join us in downtown Franklin from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight, Friday, June 8! 

Traffic and Handicap Parking

Please note that on Friday, June 8, Main Street, Dean Avenue and Depot Street in downtown Franklin will be closed to vehicular traffic for the Strawberry Stroll from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parking on Main Street will be closed from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be handicap parking available at the Dean Bank parking lot during the Strawberry Stroll on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This will give seniors and others with mobility issues only a short walk to the strawberry shortcake tent in front of Dean Bank. We will have plenty of chairs and tables as well.
Also, there will be room for senior buses to drop off seniors in the Dean Bank parking lot off Dean Avenue. Please keep in mind that Main Street will be closed so buses will need to enter off Dean Avenue.

We hope you'll join us for the Strawberry Stroll on Friday, June 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.!

Strawberry Stroll June 8

Please help the Franklin Downtown Partnership promote this event by telling your friends!

Thank you again to all our wonderful sponsors!

Beautification Time Change!

Due to the predicted inclement weather on Saturday morning, we are changing the planting time to Friday evening, May 18, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Anyone with a truck willing to help is encouraged to meet us at Fairmount Farm on Lincoln Street to transport plants to downtown at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Thank you all in advance for your help with this project!

Questions? Please contact Beautification Committee Chair Eileen Mason, 508-330-4234.

New FDP Sign

Thanks to Signs by Cam for installing our new FDP sign and ladybug!

Volunteers Wanted for May 19 Downtown Beautification Day

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club’s annual Beautification Day in downtown Franklin and the Town Common has been scheduled for Saturday, May 19.

Dozens of volunteers are needed to help plant the flowers and greenery on the downtown bridge and in barrels in front of businesses. The event will go on rain or shine.

Community service hours are available to high school sports teams, scout groups and students needing volunteer opportunities. A new feature this year is that residents who volunteer for Beautification Day can obtain a free, one-year, resident membership ($25 value) to the Franklin Downtown Partnership. Membership offers discounts to a variety of businesses and a subscription to the Partnership’s newsletter.

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