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 Franklin held its annual Libertyfest parade Saturday, a week before the Fourth of July. Franklin has a full schedule of events this week including a pet show Monday at 6 p.m at Bandstand Park, the first week of Taste of Talent Jr. at 7 p.m. Wednesday, "Mostly Marches" by the Silver Cornet Band on Thursday at 7 p.m., and Thunder over Franklin on July 4th with music starting a 6 p.m at Riverfront Park followed by fireworks a dusk. 
 
   
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 The annual Blues and Barbecue in Franklin got in with minimal rain showers that popped in an out of the area on Saturday only. The little rain at one point even produced a slight rainbow as the music continued on. The festival's objective, in part is to raise money for music education in Venango County. This year they gave Franklin High School Band a check for $6,500 to be used for scholarships and band needs. The money given was a result of last year's festival earnings from sales of drinks, shirts and donations. Franklin band director Steve Johnston said that two scholarships were going to be awarded from these funds to two students pursuing music education majors in college. Alex Johnston and Travis Shingledecker, seen below with the check mock up from the committee. 
   Hundreds were drawn to Franklin's Juneteenth celebration if Bandstand Park host by Together We Can of Venango County. 
  
“We believe this celebration is more than an event; it is an opportunity for our community to come together, learn from one another, reflect on our shared history, and embrace the values that unite us.”  The organizers of the Bridge Lit Journal, a now annual publication featuring work from primarily local artists and writers, have extend the submission deadline to June 15 according to one of the group’s organizer Phil Terman. He said they have had a decent upsurge of entries late, especially poetry and artworks, but would like to see more prose and short play entries. The publication, which had several bi-annual publications up to 2016 took a brief hiatus that was extended by COVID-19. The group that puts out the journal, Bridge Literary Arts Center, has become very active again in recent years with workshops, readings and alternative events combining art, music and readings. This journal, last published a year ago featured many regional artists and writers including then 14-year-old Meadville artist Leah Hyatt who had three of her mix media pieces accepted. The group is made up of mostly writers so they put out an open call for artists in particular, though they welcome new writers as well. Submissions are open to everyone, though the organizers are particularly interested in Northwest Pennsylvania creators. And they will still accept art and poetry entries. “Given our mission, we encourage writers and artists from or with a connection to Clarion, Venango, Armstrong, Butler, Crawford, Warren, Forest, Lawrence, Jefferson and Mercer counties,” according to the group posting on their website. Though last year several enteries from outside the region were accepted. Guidelines allow for prose and plays under 2,000 words per piece and individuals can submit up to two pieces in these categories. For poetry, writers may send up to three individual poems. Visual artists can also submit up to three pieces in photography, painting, drawing, collage, graphic design, typography, calligraphy, and other media. Individuals are permitted to submit in more than one category. Entries should be emailed to [email protected]. Work should also be accompanied by a brief bio of less than 150 words. There is no fee for applying and artists/writers retain all rights to their work. Accepted artists/writers will receive one free copy of the journal. The 2026 Bridge Literary Arts Journal is expected to be published in September with a launch during the second annual Allegheny River Music & Art Festival and Bridge LitFest in Oil City on September 12. For more information visit: www.bridgeliteraryartscenter.org/journal. |
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