Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Largest Harvest Festival Planned for October 13

Get ready for Franklin’s largest-ever fall festival at the16th annual Franklin Downtown Partnership Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.!
Nearly 7,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Harvest Festival which will feature great local entertainment, kids’ activities, artisans and crafters, fall-themed giveaways, and delicious food from local restaurants. In case of rain, the Harvest Festival will take place on Sunday, October 14.
The event will be held on Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, and Depot Street in downtown Franklin, as well as the large parking area behind Rockland Bank. This year, the always popular Harvest Festival promises to be the largest one-day event the Partnership has ever produced.
More than 160 vendors, crafters, exhibitors and groups will participate in this celebration of the arrival of autumn! Main Street, and portions of Dean and Depot Streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic.
“The Harvest Festival is our opportunity to invite people to gather in downtown and have fun experiencing the local businesses throughout our community that are unique to this area,” said Scott Martin, vice president of the Franklin Downtown Partnership and event chairperson. “The mix of activities and entertainment we have for this year’s festival will make this community event special for all ages, while showcasing the wonderful shopping and dining opportunities in downtown.”
There will be an abundance of entertainment at the Harvest Festival. Dean Bank will run its second Dancing on Dean event with two bands: The Noyz and Ben Gardner’s Boat Band (featuring State Rep. Jeff Roy). Other musicians performing at the Harvest Festival include Jamie Barrett and Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) students who will be on a stage behind FSPA. MyFM 101.3 will broadcast live from Main Street during the event.
Adults and children alike with enjoy the activities at the Franklin Fire Department and the Franklin Historical Museum. The Fire Department will host an open house at its headquarters with demonstrations and Touch-a-Truck. The Franklin Historical Museum invites people to make scarecrows and bring them to the museum lawn for display the day of the Harvest Festival - be creative, be fun! The Museum will be handing out cider and pumpkin cookies.
Local restaurants will offer a variety of foods, including pizza, burgers, Italian sausages, chicken, chocolate and more! The Partnership food tent, donated by Dean Bank, will feature cider, donuts, kettle corn and other fun food. Dean Bank is also hosting a beer and wine tent in its parking lot behind the Bank.
There will be plenty of activities to keep children occupied and happy at the Harvest Festival. The Children’s Area, sponsored by the Bernon Family Branch YMCA and located behind Rockland Trust, will feature an inflatable obstacle course, a fall-themed train ride, games and an opportunity to meet local businesses who cater to families and children. Additionally, there will be a roving clown creating balloon animals.
“This event has grown tremendously throughout the years, and we expect this year will be our largest yet,” said Franklin Downtown Partnership Executive Director Lisa Piana. “It’s a fun event that celebrates our community and the fall season. We invite everyone to come downtown and enjoy the local businesses, restaurants and wonderful entertainment. As always, we are indebted to our local business sponsors who make this event possible!”
Silver sponsors for the Harvest Festival are Dean Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank and Rockland Trust.
Bronze sponsors are Acadia Dental, Atria - Franklin, Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Franklin Ford, Glen Meadow Apartments, Keefe Insurance and Orangetheory Fitness - Medway.
Friends sponsors are Beaux Regards Photographic Art, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Fenton Financial Group, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Cultural District, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, Franklin Historical Museum, LeafFilter, MyFM 101.3, Renewal by Andersen, Rescom Exteriors, Simon’s Furniture, and Tom Fricker Complete Heating & Cooling, LLC.
The Children’s Area Sponsor is the Bernon Family Branch YMCA.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of 250 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.