FRANKLIN, TN — Spring is back, and so is the Heritage Foundation’s Main Street Festival, presented by First Tennessee Bank. The free popular spring celebration returns April 28-29, 2018, to downtown Franklin and is expected to draw a crowd of about 130,000 to historic Main Street for a fun-filled weekend of music, arts and crafts, food, and a fun filled kid’s zone.
“We’re very excited to present The Heritage Foundation’s 35th Annual Main Street Festival,” said Heritage Foundation Director of Festivals & Events Teryl O’Connor. “Main Street Festival is one of Franklin’s favorite spring traditions and we are thrilled to showcase our beautiful historic district and Main Street. We are so grateful to First Tennessee Bank for their longstanding support of The Heritage Foundation’s Main Street Festival. We would not be able to produce free street festivals in Franklin without the generous support of our sponsors.”
This year, live music will take place in three areas: The GUITAR CENTER STAGE on the Public Square, Music Corner located inside the Mantra Beer Tent and the music stage on the corner of First Avenue and Main Street. A performance schedule is available on the Main Street Festival event page at www.williamsonheritage.org. We are excited to announce the “Wannabeatles” tribute band and the “Faithfully” tribute band will be performing on the Guitar Center Stage located on the public square Saturday. Please check our website for performance times.
Come join us for “Worship on the Square” on the Guitar Center Stage at the Public Square. Worship will begin at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, April 29th.
DARK HORSE INSTITUTE and the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County are pleased to announce the first annual Battle of the Bands at this year’s Main Street Festival. This will be held from Noon until 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 29, 2018. Guests will enjoy performances by the best high school-aged contemporary musicians in Williamson County as they compete for more than $10,000.00 in prizes.
The centerpiece of Main Street Festival is the juried arts and crafts show featuring more than 150 artisans and crafters with handmade wares. Vendors will feature jewelry, pottery, furniture, woodworking, leatherwork, photography and more from First to Fifth Avenues and 3rd Avenue South. No street festival is complete without food. This year, more than twenty-five vendors will offer an international assortment of food including original corn roast, barbeque, Greek food, Mexican cuisine, Italian ice and old fashioned soda. You can find wonderful food options on Third Avenue North, Fourth Avenue North/South and the Public Square. And as always, kettle corn, hot dogs, and funnel cakes will be offered. The Mantra beer garden located down Fourth Avenue South will feature a variety of beer along with Next Gen offering up some refreshing Sangria.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association, and their missions, respectively: to protect and preserve the architectural, geographical and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County, and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of Downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.
Main Street Festival activities will run Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
For more information on the event call 615-591-8500 or email Teryl O’Connor at toconnor@williamsonheritage.org.
