Fireworks, rides, music — Franklin's July 4 Festival has fun for everyone
FRANKLIN — Ready for sparks to fly? Thursday marks the kickoff of Franklin’s annual Fourth of July Festival, a five-day event that offers carnival rides, good food and music.
The festival is organized by the Franklin July Fourth Coalition and its co-leaders, Paul Kortick and Joe Carmignani. The two men have run the coalition and organized the town's July 4 celebration since 2017.
“What’s nice about the event is it’s a nice pause in our lives to just enjoy the moment,” said Kortick.
The festival will be held on the Franklin Common, in front of St. Mary Parish.
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Mo Bounce, a funk and R&B band, returns to open the festival. The Jesse Liam Band — a father-and-son duo from Rhode Island — closes out the festival on Monday.
Each day, New England-based musicians will perform, but Saturday is the main attraction — the second annual Blues Festival.
Starting at noon, attendees can enjoy performances by Franklin’s own Padula Trio plus One and round out the night with the headliner, Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, who have been playing together for 35 years.
“These musicians are pretty well regarded in the blues scene and we’re really happy to have them here in Franklin,” Carmignani said.
A couple of additional food trucks will stop in specifically for the Blues Festival.
All entertainment is free, but Carmignani and Kortick encourage donations as the volunteer-run event relies on that and sponsorships. To donate, visit their website — www.franklin4th.com — or through Venmo, people can find QR codes at the Franklin Common.
Saturday is a big day because the fireworks show takes place at 10 p.m. at Franklin High School. Carmignani said another good place to watch the fireworks is the Horace Mann Middle School, as the fireworks soar some 400 feet into the air.
This is the first year since COVID-19 — three years — that the festival will offer fireworks. Kortick said this is partially because it rained last year, but this year “we’re hoping for good weather.”
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Kortick cited great community support as part of the event's success. In addition to individual donations, several local businesses and organizations are sponsoring the event.
“We are funded through donations from the businesses, the community, and we also get some donations from the carnival itself. That’s what keeps this event afloat,” Kortick said.
There are four levels of sponsorship: platinum (with a $1,000 donation), followed by gold ($500), silver ($250) and bronze ($100).
Depending on the level of donation, Carmignani said sponsors will have their information published on the coalition’s website, their organization’s name will be on a letter the coalition sends to residents, banners will be hung throughout town, and sponsors will be announced throughout the day.
Fiesta Shows will provide all rides and operate a couple of food booths. The carnival will officially open at 6 p.m. Thursday — to ride, guests must purchase tickets at the venue. While ticket prices aren't finalized, there will be $30 wristbands available to purchase from noon to 5 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday, which allows for access to unlimited rides for a given day.
Several organizations — such as Temple Etz Chaim and the Franklin Democrats — will cater carnival treats such as pretzels, root beer floats, pizza and fried dough.
“It’s nice to see everyone come together to enjoy the celebration — see kids get excited when they go on a ride or have cotton candy. That’s gold right there,” Kortick said.
This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Franklin Fourth of July event features rides, food trucks, blues fest
