Planning a Party for 35,000

Above, Ed Goddard, chair of Wrentham 350, makes a point Sunday afternoon at the Franklin Historical Museum.

The Second Sunday Speaker Series at the Franklin Historical Museum featured Ed Goddard and Karen Becker of the Wrentham 350 Committee, which is approaching the end of its two-and-a-half year life. They shared their experiences and lessons learned with interested Franklinites, most of whom have leadership roles in town, as well as four people from the Mansfield Historical Society preparing for their town's 250th celebration in 2025. Franklin hits that milestone in 2028.

Goddard, who has been active in Wrentham politics for 20 years, said it is helpful to have a committee that is a mix of 'townies' and newcomers and said their group was fortunate to have all become friends, each very dedicated to the committee mission, right from the start. 

Wrentham 350 was a town committee, kick started with $50, 000 from the state, that ultimately raised nearly a quarter million dollars. 

Goddard and Becker discussed many of the details and some of the challenges they faced and fielded numerous questions from attendees.

And they repeatedly stressed how much excitement the event generated across the business community and residents. Goddard estimated that at least 7000 of the town's 11,000 residents participated in at least one event, most of which were free. Even the 600 person 'Gala' at Lake Pearl coming up in December managed to be fully sponsored.

Becker said residents were so pleased, she has often been asked whether events like the parade could be repeated annually?