The Franklin Fine Arts Council (FFAC) capped off another extraordinary year in 2024, delivering a dynamic lineup of events that brought the community together through music, art and family-friendly fun. With more than 52 events on the calendar, Franklin continues to shine as an “Always Eventful” destination.
This calendar is the result of a thriving community effort. Volunteers, businesses, sponsors and board members came together in a powerful show of teamwork to keep Franklin vibrant and relevant. The 2024 FFAC board includes: Pat Dolecki, Amy Ivell, Robin Shields-Holtzman, Areta Mong, Rachelle Surrena, Ashley Smith, Nancy Lindsey, Cheryl Brickner, Matt Beith, Chris Latchaw, Mary Dickson, Darrellyn Freeman, Kristy Moore, Jay Poindexter, Jillian Harry and Jess Carroll. Special recognition goes to James Shreffler, who continued in his role as the City’s Events and Marketing Coordinator.
Franklin’s recipe for success is a spirit of cooperation that unites the City with the FFAC, the Franklin Retail and Business Association, the Franklin Industrial & Commercial Development Authority (FICDA), the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce and Franklin Moving Forward. This partnership, along with steadfast support from local businesses, industries and service organizations such as Franklin Elks, Moose, Rotary and Kiwanis, fuels the town’s energy and excitement.
From vibrant entertainment to children’s activities, a bustling farmers/curb market and a variety of year-round events, Franklin truly offers something for everyone. Highlighting the area’s beautiful waterways and trails while boosting downtown businesses, this collective effort enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Here’s to another year of unforgettable memories in Franklin!
Two gorgeous parks lie at the heart of Franklin, providing a perfect backdrop for the City’s most cherished events. Leading the 2024 calendar was Franklin On Ice, an annual spectacle held the first full weekend in February. Crowds marveled as the DiMartino ice carvers transformed plain blocks of ice into jaw-dropping creations with live carving. Unseasonably warm weather, however, required City workers to dismantle the sculptures for safety once their bases began to melt just a couple days following the event.
Downtown shops and restaurants welcomed frosty spectators with hot cocoa and cozy atmospheres, while the Grumpy Goat Distillery hosted its annual Chili Cook-Off, where Franklin’s chili connoisseurs showcased their mouthwatering recipes. Horse-drawn carriage rides returned with the sponsorship by Village Auto and were free to the public. Magic shows at the Barrow-Civic Theatre filled the audience with wonderment and laughter.
As winter wound down, Franklin geared up for an exciting summer, kicking off with the Bill Beith Memorial Golf Tournament on June 10 at Wanango Country Club. Created by Ronnie Beith to honor her late husband, the event marked its 16th year, raising funds for downtown events with the help of sponsors, volunteers, and Tournament Coordinator Stephanie Felmlee.
Summer mornings came alive with the Franklin Curb Market, where local farmers, artisans and bakers gathered at the 12th Street Island every Wednesday and Saturday from May to October. Shoppers found fresh produce, homemade treats, and warm smiles. Meanwhile, evenings sizzled with the Friday Night Alfresco Patio Series at Bella Cucina and Benjamin’s Roadhouse, featuring local musicians and past Taste of Talent winners serenading diners from June through August.
The Taste of Talent vocal competition highlighted summer, drawing hundreds to Bandstand Park on Wednesday nights. With 3,411 votes cast over six performances, Aiden Quinn of Sligo claimed the $1,000 grand prize, sponsored by New Directions Community Credit Union. Food vendors added to the festive atmosphere with their delicious offerings.
The music continued with Thursday Night Concerts at Bandstand Park, including seven performances by the all-volunteer Silver Cornet Band, alongside acts like Max Schang Band and Pine Valley Boys. August’s final concert was a touching tribute to Ronnie Beith, featuring Encore performing her favorite tunes.
Franklin’s Liberty Fest Parade launched a week of Independence Day celebrations. Despite a few raindrops, the parade was a success, followed by a Kids Ice Cream Social and a free concert in Bandstand Park. The beloved Penny Carnival, created by the Beiths to provide magical, low-cost fun, delighted children with games, relays, and even appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick.
July 4th ended with a dazzling fireworks display over Riverfront Park. Families gathered early to claim prime viewing spots, enjoying music by Rochester’s Public Water Supply and fair-food favorites from local vendors. As darkness fell, the sky lit up in a brilliant explosion of color, perfectly capping the day.
The summer concluded with the Rock in River Festival, a unique stone-skipping competition at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River. Participants of all ages traveled from across North America and beyond to test their skills. This year had the most international competitors ever! Rain arrived late in the event but didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors or judges. Each contestant had six attempts, with the highest skip count determining the winners. Here is a look at the winners:
The Youth Division: #1 Carter Barrett 28 Skips Franklin, PA
#2 Chase Barrett 23 Skips Franklin, PA
#3 Trevor Dart 19 Skips Lindley, NY
The Amateur Division: #1 Conner Transky 31 Skips Columbus, OH
#2 Logan Campola 28 & 27 Skips Painesville, OH
#3 Ryan Kelly 28 & 13 Skips Baden, PA
The Pro Division: #1 Keisuke Hashimoto 43 Skips Oyama, Japan
#2 Drew Quayle 40 Skips Hamilton, Ontario
#3 Andy Severns 38 Skips Tidioute, PA
And Accumulative Total Winner 195
Winners of Franklin’s Rock in River Festival received certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, along with the event’s beloved traditional prize: a half or full pound of fudge. People might wonder, “Why travel so far for fudge?” Contestants come for more than the sweets—they come for the competition, camaraderie, and the timeless joy of skipping stones across a river.
As summer faded, Franklin turned its attention to the holiday season. September and October were bustling with preparations — cleaning and replacing Christmas lights, crafting new strands and searching for the perfect 35-foot Christmas tree. Doug and Maria McGee of Utica offered their 39-foot spruce, chosen by Franklin’s very own “Mr. Christmas,” Dan Weiland. “It’s a beautiful tree. I don’t think it has a bad side,” Dan declared.
On Nov. 15, the Christmas Tree Express team of Paul Bunyan Tree Service and Klapec Trucking transported the tree to Franklin, placing it before the Venango County Courthouse. With equipment from Sunbelt Rental and ITC operator Jeff Lukonic, the tree was decorated with the help of volunteers, including Areta Mong, Mike and Sue McCann, Chris Latchaw, Bob Spagnol, and Dan Weiland. The result? A dazzling display featuring 18 strands of lights, with 650 twinkle lights and 1,650 colorful LEDs.
The glowing tree became the centerpiece of Light Up Night, where the 2024 Electric Light Parade delighted spectators with its “Songs of the Season” theme. Featuring 73 creative units and pre-show performances by Dreamscape Vocalists, the evening ended with Pyrotecnico’s breathtaking musical fireworks display. The night was magical — a true Franklin hallmark.
Franklin’s charm in December is like a scene from a Christmas movie, with twinkling lights on Liberty Street, festive window displays, the Santa Express and Christmas Walk in the Park. The effort behind this magic wouldn’t be possible without sponsors, volunteers and the City’s dedicated staff. The FFAC extends heartfelt thanks to major sponsors such as the Edward V. and Jesse L. Peters Charitable Trust, Mike and Joyce Hughes, UPMC Northwest, Komatsu and the Franklin Kiwanis Club, among many others.
The Events and Marketing Office worked tirelessly to promote annual traditions like the Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt, Downtown Trick-or-Treat and the Pink Splash for the Cure. Meanwhile, community organizations enriched the town with festivals like the May Garden Mart, Franklin Blues & Barbecue and the iconic Applefest.
Looking ahead to 2025, Franklin Fine Arts Council is continuing its membership drive, inviting the public to contribute to programs that nurture the arts and events. In 2024, the Legacy Arts Program, led by FHS art teacher and FFAC board member Darrelyn Freeman, left its mark. Senior students selected local artworks to grace Franklin High School’s corridors, ensuring a lasting legacy for future classes.
Franklin’s cultural treasures await exploration. Enjoy performances at the Barrow-Civic Theatre, marvel at the Tiffany windows in St. John’s Episcopal Church, or immerse yourself in history at the Venango County Historical Society. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the top-rated Allegheny River Trail and Sandy Creek Trail, with rentals available through Outdoor Allegheny River Services.
For more information about Franklin’s events and attractions, visit www.franklinpa.gov or follow Franklin, PA Events/Marketing on Facebook. There’s always something to discover in Franklin—your “Hallmark” picture-perfect destination!
The Franklin Events and Marketing Department is located at Franklin City Hall, 430 13th Street, Franklin, PA, 16323, and can be reached by contacting James Shreffler at 814-437-1129, ext. 1123 or events@franklinpa.gov.
