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Franklin lights up the holidays with 'biggest crowd' ever

11/18/2023

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"This is the biggest crowd I've ever seen here," Franklin's mayor Doug Baker declared after Saturday night's Light Up Night electric parade.

Along the parade route, spectators were four rows deep or more on both sides of Liberty Street. They were entertained by nearly 60 units including  a colorful combination of floats, performance groups and decorated vehicles. 

Santa made his highly anticipated appearance at the end of the parade and was greeted by several loud cheers from the hundreds of folks watching near the judging stand. 

After the parade was over Pat Dolecki, president of the Franklin Fine Arts Council and interim events and marketing coordinator.said she was glad the parade went well but was ready for the main event of the evening. "'I'm ready for the light up of the tree." she said adding that she has her fingers crossed that it goes off without a hitch and is a nice tree for the people attending.
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Baker led the countdown to the lighting of the big tree in front of the courthouse, which was donated by Dixie McEntire, who was also on hand for the celebration. 

Thousands of people gathered near the 12th Street intersection as the street lights went dark and the tree lights came on. It was followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over Fountain Park.
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"In 2023, we lost our greatest resource and dear friend, Ronnie Beith. Her spirit has been with us ever since and we hope we are making her proud," Dolecki posted on Facebook following the holiday kick-off. 
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Prior to the parade, several holiday-related events were held throughout downtown. HOLeY Jeans gave a short concert to open the Christmas Tree Extravaganza in the Barrow-Civic Theatre lobby. There are 55 trees on display, each decorated by a different agency, business, group or school. 

Outside, Santa met with visitors on Liberty Street, and Nathaniel Licht, Rachael Mellor, Tammi Dahl and a few special guests sang at the judge's platform.  
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"It's a blessing and an absolute honor for my kind of first event on the staff to be such an amazing Light Up Night," said James Shreffler, the new events and marketing coordinator. "Many hands, many hands make this happen."
Light Up Night is only the start of the holiday celebrating in Franklin. Here is a list of some of the upcoming events. 

The Silver Cornet Band will give its annual Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m. on November 25 at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. The price of admission is a donation of a non-perishable food item. 

The annual Blues at the Barrow will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 25 also at the Barrow. 

The city will hold "A Christmas Walk in the Park in Foutain Park starting December 2. That is the same day as the Old Fashion Christmas event hosted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the Franklin Retail and Business Association. Jeffery Michael Lloyd returns to the Barrow for a performance that night. 

Community members will join their voices in marking the holiday with performances of "The Messiah" on December 15 and 16 at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. 

Franklin Preservation is bringing back its annual Holiday Home Tour event on December 16 and 17. It will start at St. John's Episcopal Church, where a holiday market will be set up. 

The Franklin High School will host its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. on December 20. In conjunction with the concert, the school's art department will hold a sale and auction to raise funds for the Legacy Project. 

And, of course, ongoing throughout the season are the Christmas Tree Extravaganza at the Barrow, the beautfully decorated downtown windows, and the Santa mailbox at the Fountain Park gazebo. 
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Light Up Night "Fairy-Tale Christmas" parade winners:

Overall Winner: Victory Elementary

Division 1: Churches/Schools
1st Central Elementary
2nd Christ United Methodist Church
3rd Venango Technology Center

Division 2: Business/Industry/Retail
1st Milestone Pediatric Therapy
2nd Next Step Therapy
3rd King of Spades Landscaping

Division 3: Service Organizations
1st Clarion/Venango Dairy Princess
2nd Venango County Suicide Prevention Task Force
3rd Two Mile Run County Park
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Division 4: Small Vehicles/Walkers
1st Will's Christmas Blow ups
2nd Jeanne-Jamming Jeep
3rd Petersons Pool & Spa
Below are more scenes from Franklin's Light Up Night.
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SLIDESHOW: Girls dominate football team on volleyball court

11/16/2023

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As could've been predicted, the team who has spent years learning the craft of volleyball passing, digging, setting and spiking beat the team who plays football pretty easily in a fun end of the season fundraiser for the Red and Black All-Sports Booster Club.

​It was a fun night in Franklin.
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The tree is in town which means its almost Light Up Night

11/11/2023

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The weather might have felt like early fall but it was all Christmas in Franklin on Friday as the city's annual tree arrived, signaling the coming Light Up Night holiday kick off is nearly here.

The more than 30-foot tall evergreen made its trek from Buttermilk Hill in the balmy 50 degree morning temperatures and was decorated in the sunny breeze of the afternoon in front of the courthouse - a stark contrast to last year's bone chilling weather.

This year's Christmas centerpiece was donated by Dixie McEntire. Getting the tree on location and into place were Klapec Trucking Company, Paul Bunyan Tree Specialists, Sunbelt Rental Equipment, ITC, Inc. and a large team of helpers.
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Once the tree was up. Several volunteers strung up hundreds of lights as others assembled and placed the star on the top. Earlier in the fall, lights were wrapped around several trees in Fountain Park. On Friday, additional folks decorating the gazebo at the the corner of Liberty and West Park streets. The final touch will be string the lights between the poles along Liberty Street once again. 

It will be a festive look to downtown as the popular Light Up Night activities get underway.  

There are a few early events planned for Friday, November 17. The Barrow-Civic Theatre will host Branson Country Christmas for a 2 p.m. show, which features an all-star cast of Branson's top entertainers with new music, new jokes and a tribute to veterans for the first half of the show. 

The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Wine & Spirits Walk will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on November 17 in businesses throughout downtown. Tickets are still available and can be ordered by calling 814-432-5823.
The schedule for Light Up Night on Saturday, November 18, includes:
  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Cookie Walk, Franklin Public Library. 
  • 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. — “A Fairy Tale Christmas” youth theatre, Barrow-Civic Little Theatre. 
  • 1:30 p.m., — HOLey Jeans Christmas concert, Barrow-Civic Theatre lobby.  
  • 2 p.m. — Christmas Tree Extravaganza opens, Barrow-Civic Theatre lobby.
  • 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Santa Claus and his elves, Edward Jones foyer, Liberty Street. 
  • 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. — Natt Licht, Tammi Dahl and Rachael Mellor holiday performance, judges stand on Liberty Street.
  • 6 p.m. —  A Fairytale Christmas Light Up Night parade, Liberty Street.
  • Following the parade — Lighting of the Christmas tree and Pyrotecnico fireworks.
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Get tickets online at Barrow-Civic Theatre website or by calling the box office at 814-437-3440
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James and friends take a peachy ride in Franklin

11/6/2023

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A colorful songfest, a bloomer flagged sea-faring fruit, lessons on acceptance, bug crawly cuteness, insights on teamwork and overcoming toxicity through finding your own tribe and a scared, blind slitherer whose friends have their back are all part what is happening on stage at Franklin High School this week with the production of "James and The Giant Peach."
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Students from Franklin and Rocky Grove have spent the last couple of months learning how to be singing bugs, perfecting evil step-sister type antagonists, and building a giant orange vessel surrounded by fake waves and floating clouds.
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This week all that work comes to a dramatic conclusion in the form of a full-scale musical. 

"You can see this fun and zany story - one that’s perfect for the entire family - three times," said musical director Sarah Gilbert.

Shows will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Franklin High School auditorium. 
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Ashton Shingledecker (FHS) plays the role of James Henry Trotter. 

His two cruel, and nasty aunts, Spiker & Sponge, are played by Madolyn Williams (FHS) and Kendal Fonzo (FHS). 
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The insects James befriends along his journey are played by: 
Grasshopper - Kyel Harry (RGHS) 
Ladybug - Alexis McVay (FHS) 
Earthworm - Halle Curry (FHS) 
Centipede - Nate Boley (RGHS)
Spider - Cadence Collins (FHS).

Marcela Beverari will play the role of Ladahlord - a character who brings the magic to James' experiences. 
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Ensemble members of the cast are:
  • Ella Bodien (FHS)
  • Joslynn Davis (FHS)
  • Quinlyn Karns (FHS)
  • Alexis Rodemoyer (FHS)
  • Marissa Rodgers (FHS)
  • Andrew Schwab (RGHS),
  • Madi Stewart (FHS)
  • Hayleigh Walter (RGHS)
  • Sydney Watts (FHS). 

The show is directed and choreographed by Sarah Gilbert.

Other members of the production team are Sarah Dawson, music direction; Darla Creighton, costumes; and Tim Gilbert, Darrellyn Freeman and Brian Creighton, set design.

Ticket are on sale online at https://our.show/jamesandthegiantpeachfhs. Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.  Tickets at the door are $14 for adults and  $10 for students. 
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Photo of the day: A ride on a wild peach nears... stay tuned

11/6/2023

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The combine Franklin and Rocky Grove theater and music kids are nearly ready for opening night  for "James and the Giant Peach" at Franklin High School.

​The cast and crew have been working on the project all fall and this week will be the final tech week with opening night of Thursday.

The show will run three consecutive nights with all shows beginning at 7 p.m.
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"You can see this fun and zany story - one that’s perfect for the entire family - three times," said musical director Sarah Gilbert.

The ensemble cast consists of ninth through 12th graders at both Franklin and Rocky Grove High Schools.

Ashton Shingledecker (FHS) will be playing the role of James Henry Trotter. 
His two mean, cruel, and nasty aunts, Spiker & Sponge, will be played by Madolyn Williams (FHS) and Kendal Fonzo (FHS). 
​
The insects that James meets along his journey are as follows: 
Grasshopper - Kyel Harry (RGHS) 
Ladybug - Alexis McVay (FHS) 
Earthworm - Halle Curry (FHS) 
Centipede - Nate Boley (RGHS)
Spider - Cadence Collins (FHS) 
Marcela Beverari will play the role of Ladahlord - a character that takes the entire audience on the magical journey that James experiences. 
Ensemble members will be featured in several roles. They include Ella Bodien (FHS), Joslynn Davis (FHS), Quinlyn Karns (FHS), Alexis Rodemoyer (FHS), Marissa Rodgers (FHS), Andrew Schwab (RGHS), Madi Stewart (FHS), Hayleigh Walter (RGHS), Sydney Watts (FHS). 

Ticket are on sale online at https://our.show/jamesandthegiantpeachfhs
Advance tickets prices are $12 for adults, $8 for students.
At the door ticket prices are $14 for adults, $10 for students. 

James & the Giant Peach is directed/choreographed by Sarah Gilbert with pit conducting by Sarah Dawson. 
The production will see costumes from Darla Creighton and set from Tim Gilbert, Darrellyn Freeman, and Brian Creighton. 
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Rocky Grove talent show is 'Bandelicious'

11/1/2023

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Students from Rocky Grove High School held the first of two performances of their annual fall talent show on Wednesday night.

​This year's show is called "Camp Bandelicious" and features a series of original skits written by the students with the assistance of show director Jodi Hoover. 

A second show will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at the high school auditorium. Admission is $5. 

Serving as counselors and campers for the evening are Katie Beggs, Nate Boley, Kaileigh Coon, Kyel Harry, Riley Heffernan, Brooke Kistler, Andrew Schwab, Hayleigh Walter, Bishop Williams and Kye Winslow.

The show also includes musical performances by Iris Miranda, Katie Beggs, Kyel Harry, Ethan Knapp, Will Ion and the school's Select Choir.
There is dancing by the Rocky Grove football cheerleaders, Cyerria Walter, Ethan and Izzy Baker, and Rocky Grove members of the Knightettes.
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More photos from the performances below.
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