If you have attended a concert or event at Franklin’s DriveHubler.com Amphitheatre at Youngs Creek Park, chances are you have seen Holly Johnston. Johnston, who is Franklin Parks and Recreation events and programs director, announces the concerts from the stage with her ever-present bubbly personality.
Johnston grew up in the small town of Orleans, Indiana, and came to Franklin College to study education with a plan to teach Spanish. Her sophomore year, she changed her major to recreation and physical education. She fell in love with Franklin and decided to stay. She started her career with Franklin Boys and Girls Club as program director. After a few years, she started dating her boss, Chris Johnston, and he told her she needed to find a new job elsewhere.
In April 1997, she began her career with the City of Franklin. Johnston says she absolutely loves her job and the way the staff works so well together. Johnston says that the teamwork of the staff is unique. She describes lunchtime brainstorming with fellow staff members.
“Chip Orner (current parks director) is a great part of this teamwork; he is a genius figuring out how to make things work,” Johnston says.
She also credits the support of the City Council and mayors who value what they have done and continue to do in creating one of the most successful parks departments in the state. Many parks departments do not have the local government support Franklin has, making funding available.
Johnston says it is funny that she has always worked on or near the same street. From the Boys and Girls Club to Franklin Parks and Recreation, she also worked some time at Franklin College as well as the Public Works Department.
Johnston reminisced on the Movies in the Park experience, now held at the amphitheater. When Movies in the Park first began, it was held at Province Park’s Rose Garden.
“We hung a sheet up and used a projector to show the movie. Attendance was around 20 people,” Johnston says.
Last year, four films were shown at the amphitheater with attendance of around 5,000 people. Amphitheater attendance has steadily increased since 2024 at the concerts. Independence Day festivities reached a record 22,000 people in 2025. That number includes people sitting not only in the amphitheater area but also the perimeters.
Along with the amphitheater events, Johnston has overseen Kick a Poo summer camp for kids in the past. She also is involved with Arts at the Amp, Halloween Town, Fall Festival and the Angel Store host for the United Way toy drive. Her job sounds very busy, and she says she loves that part.
“I get my energy from people, watching them enjoy what we create,” Johnston says.
Johnston’s family — husband Chris, son Dane and daughter Delaney — have served as a great support system for her, helping wherever needed.
Johnston says her children have dressed up as the Easter Bunny and Dora the Explorer in the past. Her bosses were always agreeable in allowing her to have tagalong children on the job.
Halloween Town is one of her favorite events. It started 10 years ago with 10 trunks involved in the first year she began overseeing the event. This past year, there were 43 trunks, and the line was more than two hours. That does not deter people, though. A few years ago, Trick the Town was added to Halloween Town’s events. Local businesses offer treats to kids who stop by their business.
Aside from her career, Johnston has remained active in Franklin College. She served six years on the alumni council. Franklin College is like “home” to her family. She and Chris were married at the chapel. She was a Pi Beta Phi at FC and is active in Tri Kappa in Franklin. When the American Cancer Society held Relay for Life in Franklin, she was active for years in that annual fundraiser. Family vacations have remained a top love of hers, as well as spending time with her kids and their sporting events. Johnston is looking forward to her son’s upcoming wedding on Aug. 1.
Johnston credits her mother, Helen, for her love of community. She learned about the behind-the-scenes work, and Johnston says she learned a lot about how to work without recognition from her mother. Johnston says her mother gave her the skill of a planner. Even in college, Johnston was dubbed by her classmates as “the area coordinator.” That title served to foreshadow her career and lifestyle.
“One of these days, I am going to enjoy it. I will sit back and relax,” Johnston says while referring to all the events she assists with today.
