Festival Country to Bring a Public Game Plaza and Walking Tour App to Franklin
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 the web application software to create 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 stops for each tour.
“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.
“The walking tours will create an immersive experience for the users,” said Kenneth Kosky, executive director of Festival Country. “An additional feature of the software includes pre-recorded video options, so artists whose art is along the art tour can explain their background and their inspiration for each art piece.”
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, such as cornhole, connect four, foosball and game tables for children and adults.
“Toodleydoo Toys is a well-known and established business, and we are confident that partnering with the toy store to create this plaza will encourage foot traffic to businesses on the west side of the city,” said Danny Causey, executive director of Discover Downtown Franklin.
“An essential part of creating a holistic downtown area is offering green spaces and public gathering spaces,” said Kosky. “While this plaza accomplishes that, it also provides another fun destination for visitors and community members.”
Grant funds are still available this year. Grant applicants are required to be a nonprofit or a government entity, and the proposed projects must support new tourism by bringing new festivals, events, projects and attractions to the county or by significantly improving 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. Visit festivalcountryindiana.com/grants for details and requirements.
Festival Country Indiana is the official destination organization for the communities of Johnson County. Visit festivalcountryindiana.com to learn more.
