This from Focus on Franklin Web page ” ”
March 2011 also offers a historic event which could be called a ‘Taste of Franklin’. To be held on the last weekend in March, 25th to the 27th, it is not to be missed as there is something for everyone. This year there is an emphasis on the town’s food and produce with two food festivals, one on the football oval to highlight the Saturday Water and Light Show, and the other to conclude the weekend at each of the café/restaurants throughout the town. It is particularly relevant this year as the town is celebrating 175 years. Founded in 1836 as “the Settlement”, (with a name change to Franklin in 1850), the area thrived due to the fertile soils. These provided sustenance, and hence, a capacity for settlers to earn a livelihood. Many varieties of produce, fruit in particular, gained economic importance and a local, interstate and international reputation.

Friday 25th March opens the weekend’s activities at historic buildings throughout the town. There will be an art show, a jewellery exhibition and sculpture in the gardens of the Church Studio (previously the Methodist Church), exhibition at the Navy Museum (the old Commercial Bank of Australia) and the ‘Bowmont Centre’ display. Known locally as ‘The Bowmont’, the substantial building housed the first bank in the Valley (the Commercial Bank of Tasmania from 1906) and then became the first Public Hospital in the 1940’s, taking on a large maternity role. Three to four thousand babies were delivered within the maternity ward, which many mothers recall “being next to the bank vault”. 2009 marked the first get-together of “Bowmont Babies”, mothers, staff and families and to celebrate this, a new publication describes the history and local stories. Friday evening kicks off the weekend entertainment with a historic, maritime-themed Ball with the Hobart Swing Band.

Saturday is the ‘Main Event’ and begins with a family history-writing workshop by author and journalist Patrick Cornish. “I call the session Histories and Mysteries” he said. “It’s about encouraging writers and would-be writers to collect and connect with people who may be in their own families or simply someone else they have got to know.” Patrick, author of a book entitled Century, about the lives of West Australians across the whole 20th century, wrote a memoir of his father that was a “resume with wrinkles”. “With him, as with everyone, there was always a mystery element, but you can have great fun tracking down what is at least partly true.”

Throughout the Saturday Franklin will host Egg Island Canal wooden boat tours, various displays, an apple bake based on the fruit heritage of the area, music, and a history ‘walk and talk’ – just some of the interesting activities offered as part of the “175” celebrations. The day concludes with children’s games and a water and light show, showcasing the natural beauty of the Huon River, with floating lights, candles and brightly-lit boats providing a spectacular mobile display.

The ‘Taste of Franklin’ winds up on Sunday with a Growers Market, action and music throughout the town. Exhibitions continue and food venues offer their wares and wine tasting as a lead up to ‘O-Shen’ reggae in the Palais, part of the internationally-known Tasmanian event “10 Days on the Island”. This concludes the weekend’s activities.

Congratulations to Jess and Jas winners of the Homelands Sponsored prizes presented at the Grand opening at Cygent Town Hall on Friday night.
Homelands property were proud to be part of such a wondeful community event in support of local artists and talent!