Franklin’s annual downtown Light-Up Night kicks off this Saturday.
As one of Franklin’s mainstay events, Franklin events coordinator Ronnie Beith hopes the night will attract thousands to the area, similar to the annual Franklin Applefest.
“If we have good weather we will have thousands of people here. It varies from year to year, but we usually have thousands of people that attend,” Beith said.
The celebration kicks off early in the morning where locals and visitors alike will be able to peruse the downtown businesses that will set up shop with Christmas decorations and events specifically for Light-Up Night.
“If they want to do some Christmas shopping or want to get some food, the restaurants are all there with great food for the folks that are coming in,” Beith said.
Adults will be able to participate in wine tasting gatherings at various locations as they shop the downtown area and should a cold snap occur, they will also be able to find free hot chocolate and refreshments, Beith said.
It won’t all be for adults though, as Jones Party Magic of Franklin will be setting up shop as well, she added.
“Weather permitting, we’ll have some fun things for the kids to do,” Beith said.
One of the bigger attractions in the Christmas Tree Extravaganza held in the Barrow-Civic Theatre. Visitors will be able to look at and vote for a selection of more than 50 trees.
“It’s a big treat for everyone,” she said.
The town will also be paid a visit from Santa Claus, Beith said, who will be arriving to the Barrow-Civic Theatre in a Franklin Fire Department fire truck.
The Oil Region Alliance will announce the Grab The Trails business winners at 5 p.m., where the winning business receives a grant of $5,000.
And one of the biggest attractions, the Electric Lights Parade on Liberty Street, will roll through town just as the sun goes down at 6 p.m.
Beith estimated that as many as 55 organizations and floats will be in the parade this year.
This year’s Christmas tree, which sits in front of the Venango County Courthouse, will be on display and fully lighted Saturday.
Beith said the reception to the massive tree last year was so positive that they found an even bigger one this year, measuring at an impressive 45 feet tall.
The tree and the festivities are an effort by a multitude of businesses and volunteers who donate their time to help liven up Franklin during the holidays.
“We have so much help getting ready for this night and for the holidays. It’s really a labor of love from hundreds of people involved in making it a special night,” she said. “It’s Franklin’s finest night, it really is.”
Light-Up Night schedule
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – fall craft bazaar at The Caring Place
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – downtown stores open
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – free hot chocolate, coffee at Olde Liberty/Galleria
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – wine tasting at Hatched
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – $5 tours at DeBence Antique Music World
Noon to 4 p.m. – Cookie Walk at Franklin Public Library; $5 per dozen
1 to 9 p.m. – Christmas Tree Extravaganza at the Barrow-Civic Theatre; caroling from 3 to 5 p.m.
3 to 6 p.m. -Free cookies, cocoa, cupcake decorating at The Franklin
4 to 5:30 p.m. – Santa Claus at the Barrow-Civic’s Little Theatre
4 to 6 p.m. – wine sampling at Barrow-Civic Theatre
4 p.m. – Living Nativity, refreshments and public restrooms at First Presbyterian Church
4:15 p.m. – interactive inflatable entertainment, at 12th Street, weather permitting
5 p.m. – Grab the Trails Business Winners announced, Liberty Street.
5:15 p.m. – Performing Arts Academy Dancers Pre-Show
6 p.m. – Electric Lights Parade, Liberty Street, followed by the tree lighting ceremony and fireworks in Fountain Park.
