The Franklin area will be a hub of activity on February 4 as the city and downtown businesses celebrate the annual Franklin on Ice festival.
Sculptures made from nearly 100 blocks of ice will be scattered throughout Fountain Park as part of the city’s only winter festival. Starting at 10 a.m., visitors can stroll through the park to check out dozens of sculptures created for the event by DiMartino Ice Company of Jeannette.
Sculptures made from nearly 100 blocks of ice will be scattered throughout Fountain Park as part of the city’s only winter festival. Starting at 10 a.m., visitors can stroll through the park to check out dozens of sculptures created for the event by DiMartino Ice Company of Jeannette.
“We will have some beautiful double hearts,” Franklin Fine Arts Council leader Ronnie Beith said about the wintry decorations, some of which she did not want to reveal early. “There are a couple of things that will surprise people. They are different.”
Plans call for the return of the slide for kids. It and other big pieces will be built in the park prior to the festival.
This year’s Franklin on Ice chili cookoff competition and tasting event will be held starting at 1 p.m. at the Grumpy Goat Distillery The FFAC, which provided supplies and support for the event, will also be the beneficiary of the proceeds.
“We are glad to see the cookoff returning again this year and are pleased to partner with Grumpy Goat to make it happen again,” Beith said, adding that anyone interested in participating as a cook should contact the distillery for additional details.
Plans call for the return of the slide for kids. It and other big pieces will be built in the park prior to the festival.
This year’s Franklin on Ice chili cookoff competition and tasting event will be held starting at 1 p.m. at the Grumpy Goat Distillery The FFAC, which provided supplies and support for the event, will also be the beneficiary of the proceeds.
“We are glad to see the cookoff returning again this year and are pleased to partner with Grumpy Goat to make it happen again,” Beith said, adding that anyone interested in participating as a cook should contact the distillery for additional details.
And that is just one of the businesses that will benefit from the annual winter festival. "It's such a major perk during this slow time of the year for the businesses," Beith said of the crowds that typically assemble in the park and around town.
Beith said the ideal temperatures for the event are 30s with no sun, rain or snow and good roads. "I'm just hoping for not hot weather," Beith said.
And it looks like she will get her wish. The 10-day Weather Channel forecast shows Franklin will be mostly cloudy with a few snow showers in the morning highs in the upper 20s.
Saturday evening, several of the sculptures will be lit with colorful lights. The FFAC also decided to leave the park’s holiday lights in place to add to the festive evening atmosphere, this includes the lights hung among the trees, strung around the trunks and spotlighting the weeping cherries.
“Franklin on Ice is oftentimes a favorite among our residents, visitors and business owners because it is a great break from the winter doldrums, brings people downtown, and puts fills the park and the streets with smiling people,” Beith said. “And that’s the mark of a successful event.”
And it looks like she will get her wish. The 10-day Weather Channel forecast shows Franklin will be mostly cloudy with a few snow showers in the morning highs in the upper 20s.
Saturday evening, several of the sculptures will be lit with colorful lights. The FFAC also decided to leave the park’s holiday lights in place to add to the festive evening atmosphere, this includes the lights hung among the trees, strung around the trunks and spotlighting the weeping cherries.
“Franklin on Ice is oftentimes a favorite among our residents, visitors and business owners because it is a great break from the winter doldrums, brings people downtown, and puts fills the park and the streets with smiling people,” Beith said. “And that’s the mark of a successful event.”
Franklin on Ice is popular among amateur and professional photographers and a hotspot for family photos.
The FFAC is encouraging visitors who post their favorite pictures on social media to use the #franklinonice hashtag.
Events in and around the city during Franklin on Ice weekend
(Updated on January 30 to include additional activities.)
The Nature Art Showcase and Sale will hold an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 3 and their main event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, February 4 in the Barrow-Civic Theatre lobby at 1223 Liberty Street. The event is sponsored by the Council of Greenways & Trails.
Misty Lane Farms will offer horse and carriage rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be loading near the corner of Liberty and West Park streets.
As part of the Dine for a Cause fundraiser by the Franklin Retail & Business Association, Pastries by Andrea will be at Something Clever from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Olde Liberty will host a warming station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free hot chocolate, a kids scavenger hunt and $15 tarot card readings.
The Sweetery To Go will hold its grand opening. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. they will be in Fountain Park handing out cards for free cookies and a chance to win proizes at their store at 322 13th Street.
The cast of the Barrow-Civic Youth Theatre's production of The Rainbow Fish Musical will hold craft and story times at 10 and 11 a.m. in the Little Theatre. Attendees will also get a book from the United Way of Venango County. All activities are free and there is no pre-registration required.
The Franklin Public Library at 421 12th Street will celebrate Love Your Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with crafts, a student artwork display, Dr. Seuss themed story times at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., refreshments, and a Cat in the Hat meet and greet. There is no registration requirement, and the event is open to all ages. The library will also be hosting special hours of its ongoing book sale and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Two Mile Run County Park will host a Justus Jaunt Polar Plunge into Justus Lake at 1 p.m. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. It is $25 to do the full plunge and $20 to do the chicken walk toe dip. For more information contact park office at 676-6116.
There will be a chili cookoff competition and tasting event starting at 1 p.m. at the Grumpy Goat Distillery. For a donation of $6 you can taste 15 chili's provided by local business' and individuals and vote for your favorite. All donations go to the Franklin Fine Arts Council.
Caitlyn Masterson will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. at TrAils To Ales II. There will also be a kids’ hot chocolate bar.
Amy's Closet and Sassy's Gifts will offer refreshments and offering free gifts with a purchase all day.
There will be magic shows at Iron Furnace Coffee at 3:45 and 4:30 p.m.
The Oil Valley Jeep group will hold a Starlight Run riding event consisting of a mixture of trails and roads driven on a winter’s night to benefit Two Mile Run Park. This is a Jeep only event with check-in from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Nature Lodge and staging starting at 4:30 p.m. and rides from 5 to 9 p.m. It is $30 to participate in the ride and free to participate in the Jeep light show.
The Barrow-Civic Theatre will host the 6th annual Celebration of Talent Competition at 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Franklin Rotary Club, the competition showcases a variety of talent from 12 contestants of all ages, and the audience determines the winner. Tickets are $17.
American Pie will play from 7 to 10 p.m. at TrAils to Ales II.
Wanango Country Club will hold a Back the 90s party from 7 to 11 p.m. Music by DJ Todd. It is $5. Open to ages 21 and older. Beverage and food will be available.
Max Schang & His Blues Trio will play from 9 p.m. to midnight at FoxTales Pub.
Misty Lane Farms will offer horse and carriage rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be loading near the corner of Liberty and West Park streets.
As part of the Dine for a Cause fundraiser by the Franklin Retail & Business Association, Pastries by Andrea will be at Something Clever from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Olde Liberty will host a warming station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free hot chocolate, a kids scavenger hunt and $15 tarot card readings.
The Sweetery To Go will hold its grand opening. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. they will be in Fountain Park handing out cards for free cookies and a chance to win proizes at their store at 322 13th Street.
The cast of the Barrow-Civic Youth Theatre's production of The Rainbow Fish Musical will hold craft and story times at 10 and 11 a.m. in the Little Theatre. Attendees will also get a book from the United Way of Venango County. All activities are free and there is no pre-registration required.
The Franklin Public Library at 421 12th Street will celebrate Love Your Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with crafts, a student artwork display, Dr. Seuss themed story times at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., refreshments, and a Cat in the Hat meet and greet. There is no registration requirement, and the event is open to all ages. The library will also be hosting special hours of its ongoing book sale and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Two Mile Run County Park will host a Justus Jaunt Polar Plunge into Justus Lake at 1 p.m. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. It is $25 to do the full plunge and $20 to do the chicken walk toe dip. For more information contact park office at 676-6116.
There will be a chili cookoff competition and tasting event starting at 1 p.m. at the Grumpy Goat Distillery. For a donation of $6 you can taste 15 chili's provided by local business' and individuals and vote for your favorite. All donations go to the Franklin Fine Arts Council.
Caitlyn Masterson will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. at TrAils To Ales II. There will also be a kids’ hot chocolate bar.
Amy's Closet and Sassy's Gifts will offer refreshments and offering free gifts with a purchase all day.
There will be magic shows at Iron Furnace Coffee at 3:45 and 4:30 p.m.
The Oil Valley Jeep group will hold a Starlight Run riding event consisting of a mixture of trails and roads driven on a winter’s night to benefit Two Mile Run Park. This is a Jeep only event with check-in from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Nature Lodge and staging starting at 4:30 p.m. and rides from 5 to 9 p.m. It is $30 to participate in the ride and free to participate in the Jeep light show.
The Barrow-Civic Theatre will host the 6th annual Celebration of Talent Competition at 7:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the Franklin Rotary Club, the competition showcases a variety of talent from 12 contestants of all ages, and the audience determines the winner. Tickets are $17.
American Pie will play from 7 to 10 p.m. at TrAils to Ales II.
Wanango Country Club will hold a Back the 90s party from 7 to 11 p.m. Music by DJ Todd. It is $5. Open to ages 21 and older. Beverage and food will be available.
Max Schang & His Blues Trio will play from 9 p.m. to midnight at FoxTales Pub.
 |  |
RSS Feed