FRANKLIN, Ind. – Festival Country Indiana has approved $45,000 in grant funding for two projects in Franklin—the development of a walking tour app and the creation of a downtown game plaza. The Festival Country Indiana Board of Directors approved the two new projects at their October meeting.
Franklin’s Public Art Advisory Commission received $5,000 for web application software that creates 10 self-guided walking tours, including a public art tour, a history tour, an architecture tour, and a haunted tour. The grant money will also fund the installation of signs at prominent tour stops.
“Since the software we plan to use is customizable, we have the freedom to update and create new tours, so visitors to Franklin will want to return to the area and experience the tours again and again,” said Dana Monson, staff member of the Public Art Advisory Commission and community development specialist for the city of Franklin.
Discover Downtown Franklin received $40,000 to build a fenced, outdoor game plaza, named Festival Country Fun Plaza, located in front of Toodleydoo Toys on Jefferson Street in Franklin. The new space will encourage outdoor recreation and will be open to the public. The plaza will feature semi-permanent concrete games like cornhole, Connect 4, foosball, and game tables for children and adults.
“An essential part of creating a holistic downtown area is offering green spaces and public gathering spaces,” said Kenneth Kosky, executive director of Festival Country. “While this plaza accomplishes that, it also provides another fun destination for visitors and community members.”
Grant funds are still available this year. Applicants must be a nonprofit or a government entity, and the proposed projects must support tourism that brings new festivals, events, projects, and attractions to the county or significantly improve existing ones. Additionally, applicants are highly encouraged to present their proposals before the board.
Festival Country will offer a new grant category in 2026 to organizations planning events aligned with America’s 250th anniversary celebration. Go to festivalcountryindiana.com/grants for details and requirements.
Festival Country Indiana, the official destination organization for the communities of Johnson County, invites you to visit festivalcountryindiana.com to learn more.
