Franklin Day Festivities Enjoyed on Saturday

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Jennifer Jean Miller in Entertainment/Arts, Lifestyles, Local Business, News Sections, Non-Profit Corner, People in the News, Spotlight // 0 Comments

A view of some of the activities at Franklin Day. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

FRANKLIN BOROUGH, NJ – Franklin residents and those visiting Franklin had the opportunity to enjoy activities and fun in Franklin from the early daytime, until after dark.

Franklin Borough celebrated its annual Franklin Day event on Saturday, July 12 at the Franklin Pond, with fun, food, and festivities.

Many local groups, such as Cub Scout Pack 90, and the Girl Scouts, offered some fair type fare to enjoy, like funnel cake, and deep-fried Girl Scout cookies. Grilled specialties and favorites including Pierogies, were also on the menu at this annual tradition.The Bodhi Tree was one of the vendors on location, serving up iced coffees and tea specialties.

Side by side scouts selling some fair fare. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Activities galore took place during the day, including dancing, the Little Miss and Miss Franklin contest, a car show, a pie-eating contest, and many more. A bounce house and climbing wall were additionally present for children to show off their acrobatic and daredevil skills. One of the newest attractions this year was the mechanical bull, which many took a go at. Some walked around with their faces painted, while carrying around balloon art creations that a clown in a colorful purple wig spent time making for the children. Spongebob walked around and greeted the youngsters, as well as danced with them on the basketball court. Some of the kids dunked some hoops, while others rode their scooters around, as other spontaneous activities.

Some of the vintages autos at the car show. Photo courtesy of the Franklin Recreation Committee.

One of the dancing activities during the daytime. Photo courtesy of Franklin Recreation.

Spongebob dancing among some of the youngsters at the event. Photo courtesy of Franklin Recreation.

Pie-eating participants lunge into whipped-cream filled concoctions. Photo courtesy of Franklin Recreation.

Three young ladies who participated for the crown. Photo courtesy of Franklin Recreation.

Contestants lined up. Photo courtesy of Franklin Recreation.

Organizations like the Franklin Historical Society, the Franklin Presbyterian Church, HEALS Rescue, the Wallkill Valley Elite, and many more, had tables at the event.

The day concluded with a spectacular fireworks display, which locals say is unrivaled in the county in terms of fireworks.

Mayor Paul Crowley attended Franklin Day, visiting the booths and stopping to speak to residents. He said many residents tend to arrive later in the day with their families, to enjoy dinner and then stay for the fireworks.

Crowley was correct, as the attendance swelled as dusk settled in the park area.

“The weather was perfect,” said Joe Martinez, who is part of Franklin Borough’s Recreation Committee. “It’s fun, we’ve got a lot of people this year. It gets better every year.”

A light session of sprinkles dropped on the area as the skies darkened, then stopped, and the group readied for the fireworks display. The fireworks boomed into the sky at about 9:30 p.m., and the lights went down in the park for all to enjoy, as the moon, shrouded partially in clouds, cast an orange glow over the park. The crowd cheered at the start of the massive fireworks extravaganza, and throughout the spectacular show.

A child climbs high above the festivities. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The sun begins to set as children jump in the bounce house and families relax. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A clown delivers smiles and balloon art animals. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Dark falls on Franklin just before the fireworks’ display. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Thank you to the Recreation Committee for allowing us to publish some photos below, mixed in with ours. We have also included our photos and video of some highlights from last night’s beautiful fireworks display.

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