Big Summer Ahead For Downtown Framingham, DFI Predicts

FRAMINGHAM, MA — As coronavirus cases in the area dwindle, downtown Framingham businesses are hoping for a blockbuster return this summer.

In the coming months, residents can look forward to new downtown events, two new dining options, the return of a festival and a restaurant promotion that will offer big prizes.

Downtown Framingham Inc. (DFI) Director Anthony Lucivero said the summer season will begin in the coming weeks with a new promotion called Framingham Restaurant Rush 2021. Diners will get passports and collect stickers for each restaurant they visit. At the end of the summer, those passports will be entered into a raffle to win prizes, including a vacation.

(The Framingham City Council has also declared June "restaurant month," which urges residents to get out and explore local cuisine.)

There will also be two new options for diners. Sam Sushi Art & Music will open soon in the building formerly occupied by Sofa Café. The Downtown Creamery, which emerged last summer, got approval to open in April, and will be ready this summer, Lucivero said.

Lucivero is also planning to organize outdoor events around the downtown common along Park Street. He wants to bring outdoor yoga and possibly outdoor movies to the common. The city is hosting a series of outdoor concerts this summer near downtown at the Centre Common along Edgell Road — and Lucivero hopes concertgoers will make a stop downtown before or after the events.

To end the summer, DFI is bringing back the two-day Oktoberfest festival. It was last held in 2019, but was cancelled last fall due to the pandemic.

"It's a great time to be downtown," Lucivero said.

For updates on events, openings and more, visit the Downtown Framingham Inc. Facebook page.