By Judith Dorato O’Gara

Lisa Piana, Executive Director of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, was a vendor 23 years ago, when the first Annual Franklin Harvest Festival took place. She’s now been involved the town’s largest event for 22 years. This year’s event, bigger than ever, will boast over 130 vendors, live music, fun kids’ activities, unique hand-made artwork and crafts, merch and services from local businesses, and opportunities to meet local nonprofits. Thousands from Franklin and beyond attend the festival, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, 12 noon to 5 p.m. (rain date Sun. Sept. 28.) For the first time, the festival will expand down Main Street to Dean College and the Franklin Library, with Dean College opening up its grounds. 

“It was always our vision to be able to (expand) for years,” says Piana, who says local response to the Strawberry Stroll expansion this year was very positive. Also, “Dean College’s opening up its campus for the Harvest Festival is a game changer,” she adds.

This year’s event will include:

• Live music performances at the corner of Main St. and Dean Ave. From Noon-2 p.m., 8-person soft-rock band Critical Mass (donating its stipend to Franklin Food Pantry), then from 3-5 p.m., The Padula Family Band, with FSPA.

• Radio station MyFM will broadcast live from Main St. near the Little Shop of Olive Oils.

• Special interactive exhibits. See science in action with the Children’s Museum of Franklin; get the kids moving at the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Gaga Pit; and play literary lawn games at the Franklin Library.

• Dean College’s Dean Hall front lawn will offer a kid-friendly $5 train ride, fall foods, and music from their student radio station Power 88.3 FM. 

• The Franklin Historical Museum will provide free popcorn and mid-century film clips from Franklin’s Chilson Collection as well as kazoos, cookies and water for Karaoke, Kazoos and Cookies, a “joyful noise” fest directed by Dennis Ferguson at 3 p.m. 

• Sparky the Fire Dog will be at Franklin Fire Station, with a Touch-a-Truck.

• Among many food options, Dean Bank’s booth will sell cider donuts, cider, popcorn and hot chocolate, with proceeds supporting the festival. Local shops and eateries will offer other special fall-themed treats.

“The Harvest Festival is the ideal time to socialize, relax, and enjoy the community spirit,” said Scott Martin, President of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Harvest Festival Chair, who encourages attendees to linger and explore shops and dining even after the festival.

The Franklin Harvest Festival has nearly doubled in size since it began, says Piana, as has the Partnership itself, which boasts about 350 members, a big leap from 25 in 2002. 

“Looking back at how much Scott Martin has done in the 10 years as the (festival) chair, it has grown so much,” says Piana.

Martin, Sr. Executive Director of the Hockomock Area YMCA, estimates FDP membership stood at about 70 when he came aboard as chair. He became a member as a business owner in 2005.

“I wanted to connect with the community,” says Martin, impressed by how the Harvest Festival and Strawberry Stroll could bring people to his front door. “More and more of the Partnership members want to be part of it. It brings foot traffic downtown and introduces people to their neighbors. It really shows the town of Franklin with that classic New England feel. You’ve got your downtown storefronts, and as you continue on your walk, you’re seeing a college campus and a historic library, really the best New England has to offer.”

This year will include more interactive events and restaurants featured in the parking lot where Little Shop of Olive Oils is located. “We’re calling it ‘Food Alley,’” says Piana, who also thanks the town DPW and Franklin Police Department for their important contributions.

“I love our name,” says Piana, “because the Franklin Downtown Partnership partners with everyone.”

The Franklin Harvest Festival, she says, “relies on two very important things, volunteers and sponsors. It literally takes a village.” She lauds dedicated volunteers like Pandora Carlucci and Roberta Trahan, who coordinate other volunteers (always needed festival day) and map out booth space, limited this year to Franklin businesses due to the space available.

Piana can’t say enough how generous sponsors make this huge event possible. “We are so grateful their support,” says Piana. At press time, sponsors included:

Platinum – Dean Bank, G & C Plumbing & Heating, Local Town Pages Franklin

Gold – Camford Property Group, Inc., Dean College, Hockomock YMCA, Middlesex Savings Bank

Silver – Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc., Glen Meadow Apartments-Schochet Cos., Notturno Home Services, Rockland Trust Bank, The Enclave of Franklin.

Bronze – Chestnut Dental Associates, Connell Roofing, Inc., DCU-Digital Federal Credit Union, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Elizabeth’s Bagels, Fenton Financial Group, Keefe Insurance, Kumon of Franklin, MyFM, The Nautilus Center for Mental Health, Simon’s Furniture, Turtle 2 Properties, Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, P.C.

For festival updates, follow Franklin Downtown Partnership on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on The Franklin Downtown Partnership, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, visit www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.