Franklin 4th Celebrates 33rd Year

J.D. O’Gara
Issue Date: 
June, 2016
Article Body: 

The Franklin July 4th Coalition boasts its sole mission as to preserve the town’s annual Independence Day tradition, and the show must go on again for the 33rd year. An all-volunteer group is once again making the privately-funded Franklin July 4th Celebration a reality.
Franklin will celebrate our Nation’s birthday in style, with a five-day celebration beginning on Thursday, June 30th and ending on Monday, July 4th. The festivities will also include vendors, a children’s parade, various musical bands, a larger parade and a laser show.
In the past, Warren Revell has said that the celebration, including events on the common, probably costs from $80,000 to $100,000, with $35,000 to $40,000 to put on the parade. None of this comes from town coffers.
Amusement proceeds help defray the cost, and the organizers do send out a mailer to all residents of the town, about 12,400, asking for donations. Many residents genereously give, as do sponsors. This year’s sponsors include:
Garelick Farms
Ranieri Supply Co.
Middlesex Bank
Franklin Newcomers Club
Rockland Bank
Ficco’s Bowladrome
Dean  Bank
Grove St. Towing & Tire
The Milford Daily News
The Massachusetts
Cultural Council
The food booths also defray some of the cost, while raising money for local nonprofits. No two booths sell the same food.
Many hands make light work, and the Franklin 4th of July Coalition still needs volunteers (in two-hour shifts). All volunteers will receive a 4th of July T-shirt and will receive community service hours. Many departments of the town do participate in making this a successful event, including the Town of Franklin, the Franklin Town Counsel, the Franklin Police Department, the Franklin  Fire Department, and the Franklin DPW.
To learn more, or to volunteer, visit www.july4thfranklinma.com and download a volunteer application form.
The large parade will take place on July 3rd at 2 p.m. All civic and veterans organizations are invited to participate. In addition, organizers are also seeking float entries and antique/classic cars. If you would like to participate, please call (508) 942-1940  with your intentions or email  mass701dlw@msn.com.
Thursday, June 30th
6 – 10 p.m. Amusements & Food Booths
7 – 10 p.m. Phantom Band
Friday, July 1st
6 – 10 p.m. Amusements & Food Booths
7 – 10 p.m. Groove Dr. Band
Saturday, July 2nd
Noon – 10 p.m. Amusements & Food Booths
Noon Children’s Parade
1 – 2 p.m. Vics and Sticks (family entertainment)
2 – 3 p.m. Flippo the Clown
3 – 4 p.m. Elsa & Anna
from FROZEN
7 – 10 p.m. Corvairs
(Oldies Band)
10 p.m. LASER LIGHT SHOW with music and 3D glasses
Sunday, July 3rd
1 – 10 p.m. Amusements & Food Booths
2 - 3:30 p.m. PARADE
7 – 10 p.m. ZOD Band
Monday, July 4th
12 – 7 p.m. Amusements &
Food Booths
1 – 5 p.m. TBA