Old Franklin Day

Save the Date, Bring Your Friends –Old Franklin Day Is August 29th!

Here are a dozen good reasons to mark your calendars for Saturday, August 29th from 9 am to 3 pm for Old Franklin Day! 

1. Start the Day with a Free Pancake Breakfast!

The Community Bible Church at 89 Center Street has the welcome mat out on Old Franklin Day with its annual free pancake breakfast starting at 7 am!  Thirsty later? They’ll have free root beer floats for you in the afternoon, too!

2. Shop Local

Finished breakfast at the church?  Old Franklin Day festivities are just a short 2-block walk away!  Come meet the many local artisans, vendors, performers and community organizations participating.   Shop ‘til you drop for vintage items, artwork, artisanal glass, woodcraft, home décor, clothing, jewelry, accessories and more. Delicious locally made maple syrup products, jams, handcrafted chocolates and other treats will be available for sale.

3. Party with the Bands

Ready to boogie? Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Tom Morgan and Erna Morgan McReynolds Charitable Foundation, there will be great live music:

• The Dirt Road Express Band will entertain you with country western and rock favorites from 10 am to noon.
• Back by demand, Off the Record Band will be performing rock and country  classics from 1 pm to 3 pm.

4. NEW – Vintage Base Ball Game on Franklin Central School Sports Field!

Come one, come all to see the Polecats aka the Hamden 9 play against the Kingston Guards in an unforgettable vintage base ball game, beginning at 12 noon on the Franklin Central School lowerlevel sports field!

5. Kids’ Play Activities PLUS A Dunk Tank!

In addition to our popular Bounce House, face painting, balloon art, glitter tattoos, and games for the kids, we will have a dunk tank this year!  Locals and surrounding community residents are sure to be familiar with the “dunkees” who are  participating. Proceeds from the dunk tank go to the Franklin Recreation Commission, which runs the Franklin Community Pool and children’s sports, including T-Ball, slow pitch baseball and soccer.

6. Get Yum Eats

You won’t go hungry at our food court in the Fire Department lot on Main Street. Ty’s Taco-Ria will be on site with a choice of scrumptious menu items. Gunner’s Grub (formerly the S&S Food Truck)) will have their famous Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, mile high fries and more. AJ’s Smokin’ BBQ will have ribs, pulled pork, brisket and sides. Catskill Momos will have an array of delicious Asian dumplings.  The American Legion will be selling their famous barbecued chicken halves. Wash it down with awesome concoctions from Ye Olde Bubble Tea and More or a brewski from the Bittersweet Farm Brewery truck. The Open Doors Methodist Church is cooking up their signature hot dogs. The Tulip and the Rose restaurant on Main Street will be open. Good Taste Epicurean Market & Wine and Liquor Shop at 438 Main Street is hosting a complimentary wine and cheese tasting. There is seating at the Fire Department lot, in the Legion hall, and in front of Franklin Stage Company and Franklin Central School.  Enjoy a great lunch or snack on site or get your goodies to go!

7. Come Early to St. Paul’s Famous Pie Sale

The pie bakers at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will be baking homemade apple, cherry, blueberry, peach, strawberry rhubarb and much more for the traditional pie sale fundraiser, which starts under the big tent on the church lawn at 9 am. Pull up a chair, greet friends and neighbors and have a slice with a cuppa joe!  Grab some pies to take home for the weekend. Last year, the St. Paul’s pie bakers baked and sold over 250 pies. Go early — pies sell out quickly!

8. Learn More About Community Organizations

Visit the Franklin Rotary Club table to learn more about Rotary’s youth exchange and leadership, educational and environmental programs and how you can get involved. Learn more about the Franklin Community Education Foundation’s programs over homemade lemonade.  The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Greater Franklin Food Pantry will have information on community programs and resources. The Ouleout Valley Cemetery will be fundraising with T-shirt sales and other items. Check out the Franklin-Treadwell Community Conversation to learn more about their community activities.

9. Don’t Miss the Library Book Sale

The Franklin Free Library on Main Street is having their annual pop-up book sale – a great opportunity to bag your summer and fall reads!

10. Get Deals at Town-Wide Lawn Sales

Don’t miss the town-wide lawn sales – you may find the deal of a lifetime! Maps will be available on Facebook and at the event.

11. Walk Around the Village

The Village of Franklin is on the National Register of Historic Places, with many lovely homes from the Victorian and Edwardian eras and 3 beautiful churches. Take a stroll in the Village to enjoy the architecture and visit our local shops. The Franklin Railroad and Community Museum will be open with historical exhibits and activities in their parking lot.

12. Franklin Central School All-Class Reunion

Franklin Central School alumni from any graduating year, along with guests, are invited to party under the tent on the St. Paul’s Church lawn from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Enjoy a delicious reunion dinner and catch up with classmates! BYOB on premises. Contact kljohns@citlink.net or 607-434-7120 to reserve by mid-August.

Contact Connie Martin at ofd@franklinny.org or 201-414-1684 with any questions. Watch Facebook and this webpage for updates.