FRANKLIN — For nearly 20 years, Franklin has shown that it knows how to do fall. And this year, it is showing that is also knows how to get back up and running after a fall — one created by the pandemic.
On Saturday, the popular Franklin Harvest Festival is returning after a year’s break. And for its 18th iteration, the event promises to be bigger, better and more “autumn”some than ever.
“We are looking forward to an exciting event,” said Lisa Piana,executive director of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, which organizes the festival. “Since the Partnership was not able to have the festival in 2020, we expect it will be quite a celebration this year.”
Festivities take place downtown from noon to 5 p.m. along Main Street, Dean Avenue, West Central Street, and Depot Street, as well as the parking area behind Rockland Bank.
“This event has been a Franklin favorite for 17 years and our volunteers have put in many hours to ensure a safe and exciting event,” Piana said via email, adding that the organizers hope “everyone will come out to have fun and support all our local businesses and restaurants.”
“It’s gonna be an amazing Franklin celebration,” she said.
The festival will feature live musical, dance and theatrical entertainment, shop specials, artwork by local artists and information from community organizations. More than 160 vendors, crafters and food booths are participating.
“The Franklin Downtown Partnership is so pleased to be running our 18th Harvest Festival this year,” said Scott Martin, chairman of the Harvest Festival Committee, via a release about the event. “We have so many great local businesses and organizations that have served our community during challenging times, and we encourage everyone to come out and support them while enjoying a great fall day outdoors.”
Harvest Festival Highlights
Among the highlights will be live music by Ben Gardner’s Boat, which is state Rep. Jeffrey Roy’s band, as well as The Driftwoods, a Beach Boys tribute band.
Also performing during the festival will be Franklin’s favorite guitar-playing, singing music educator, Jamie Barrett, in addition to thespians from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and the Franklin Performing Arts Company.
The Franklin Historical Museum will host a photo display of farming in Franklin as far back as 100 years.
The Franklin Art Association will have an art show in the Rockland Trust Annex on Main Street that will feature art, photography, a scholarship raffle and small works and greeting cards for sale.
The Franklin Fire Department will display an antique ladder truck while mascot Sparky greets children.
Stop by the Dean Bank booth on Main Street for seasonal cider doughnuts and cider. Proceeds from those sales go to the FDP to help run the festival.
Other offerings will be available in the food court behind Rockland Trust Bank, including traditional Fenway Italian sausage, hot dogs, BBQ chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, chicken fingers, French fries, sweet potato fries, fried dough, fried Oreos, fresh squeezed lemonade, and ice cream.
Masking guidance
The Franklin Health Department is recommending that everyone who is not vaccinated, wear a mask at the Harvest Festival. Anyone who is immunocompromised should also wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status. Anyone with COVID symptoms should stay at home.
“A big thank you goes out to Dean Bank for providing ‘Dancing on Dean’ with two local bands, to Rockland Trust for the use of their parking lots, and to our many sponsors for their support,” Piana said.
The rain date for the Harvest Festival is Sunday.
Harvest Festival performance schedule
The Harvest Festival includes two performance stages:
STAGE 1: Dean Bank Stage at Dean Avenue & Main Street
12 p.m.: Ben Gardner’s Boat, featuring state Rep. Jeffrey Roy
5 p.m.: The Driftwoods (a Beach Boys tribute band)
STAGE 2: Intermission Stage by the Intermission Cafe
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Jamie Barrett, guitar and vocals
Barrett will be preceded and followed with performances by students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and performers from the Franklin Performing Arts Company. The latter will feature Mary Poppins Pop-ups, celebrating the upcoming performances of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins”
