Pumpkinfest 2016

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Franklin’s favorite celebration of fall returns October 29 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Presented by Bank of America, the festival stretches along Main Street and its avenues and offers tons of festive fun for families.

Check out the lineup of things-to-do at Pumpkinfest:

Church of the City Kids’ Zone
Third Avenue South will be transformed into a full block of free children’s activities from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Bouncy houses, pony rides, face painting, games, a dedicated preschool area, and much more will keep the small fry entertained for hours.

HomeTown Pet Costume Contests
Costume contests for both humans and pets will take place on the stage on the Public Square.  More details will be coming soon!

Live Entertainment
Two stages will feature full lineups of music and dance performances.  In addition to the stage on the Public Square, this year a second stage will be located on Main Street at First Avenue, near Landmark Booksellers.  The ConSoulers will take the First Avenue stage at 4 p.m. for a two-hour street dance.  Additional stage lineups will be posted soon.

Arts and Crafts Vendors
More than 80 artists and crafts people with handmade wares will line Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenues.  Don’t miss the unique shopping opportunities.

Street Festival Food
Old favorites like corn dogs, funnel cakes, fried catfish, and chicken tenders will join some newer offerings in two dedicated food zones:  around the Public Square, and on Fourth Avenue South.

Chili Cook Off
The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook Off will take place on Third Avenue North.  For more information, click here.

The Great Pumpkin
Franklin’s Sister City, Carleton Place, Canada, is again growing our Great Pumpkin.  Stop by its location on the Public Square and guess its weight for a chance at a fabulous prize.

Grave Matters:  The Stories Behind the Stones
After dark, Franklin’s historic cemeteries will come to life with first-person stories of some of the folks buried there. For more information, click here.

Photo Ops
Be sure to bring the camera!  Photo ops will abound!

Parking
In addition to the parking in and around the downtown area, parking and shuttle service will be available from Church of the City and Harlinsdale Farm for $1 per person each way.  No pets, non-folding strollers, or food or drink except bottled water is allowed on the trolleys.

Producing Pumpkinfest is just one of the many activities of The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County. Since 1967 the non-profit group has been dedicated to protecting and preserving Williamson County’s historic, architectural and geographic resources; in short, saving the places that matter.

Carnton Sunset Concert Series – 7 Bridges Band

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Carnton Plantation serves as a unique venue for friends and families to relax and listen to some of the area’s most talented musicians. The gates open at 4:30 pm and the music lasts from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased either in advance or at the door. Guests are welcome to pack picnic dinners or take advantage of on-site food and beverage vendors.

For more information please visit Carnton Sunset Concert Series.

Back to School Fair

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Williamson Parent Back to School Fair

Discover area after-school activities and enrichment opportunities, see the latest in fall fashion for kids, enjoy demonstrations from local arts programs, win prizes and more at CoolSprings Galleria.
FREE EVENT

Cirque du Soleil – Varekai

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This Cirque installment at Bridgestone Arena pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to wherever.

GALLAGHER’S “JOKES ON YOU” COMEDY TOUR

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GALLAGHER’S “JOKES ON YOU” COMEDY TOUR FEATURING GALLAGHER, ARTIE FLETCHER, AND BOB NELSON on Tuesday, August 25th, 2015 at the Franklin Theatre.  The show starts at 8:00pm.  Doors open one hour before the show.

A Gallagher concert is an unforgettable experience. He is a keen and original observer of human nature and the American “scene”. “My humor makes people think,” Gallagher says. “I want people to look more closely at this country and their lives to see the humor and absurdity in it all …I don’t have to make it up, the truth is funny enough.”

For more information and tickets please visit The Franklin Theatre.

16th Annual Jokers & Jackpots Gala

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Jokers & Jackpots Annual Gala Franklin TNBridges Domestic Violence Center will host its 16th Annual Jokers & Jackpots Gala art deco style on Saturday, August 22 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in Jamison Hall at The Factory at Franklin. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Roaring 20s fashion. Women of Williamson, formerly Soroptimist International of Franklin, is the presenting sponsor. Other supporters include the First Tennessee Foundation, Molly Maids, Williamson Medical Center, and over 10 additional local businesses.

For more information please visit Jokers & Jackpots.

July 2015 Home Sales Statistics

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Updates from the WCAR:It’s been a month to celebrate for Williamson County on multiple levels. Not only have we seen record highs in home closings and median price, but REALTORS® are encouraged by the outpouring of support that led to the retention of Dr. Mike Looney as superintendent for Williamson County Schools. We believe there is a direct correlation between strong schools and economic development. The retention of Dr. Looney ensures continued stability for our children’s education and our community.In addition to the 7.8% year-over-year closings increase, median price continues to climb. The $415,000 median price for July 2015 is up 3.8% from 2014. This signals the eighth month in a row where the median price has exceeded $400,000 for Williamson County.Inventory remains low for the county as the housing market attempts to keep pace with demand. Subtracting the pending properties from the active properties reveals 1,232 actual available homes, or roughly a two month supply.  Right now there are fewer homes available, selling faster and for higher prices than they have since before the Great Recession. For those homeowners considering selling, this is a great time to enter the market. There is virtually no competition and demand is high. For buyers, the low inventory means finding the right home for the right price is difficult. Buyers are encouraged to consult REALTORS® who have the connections and experience to find deals before they hit the market and to negotiate aggressively.

Congrats to the Franklin Fire Chief

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From the City of Franklin:

Franklin Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek has successfully completed the process that awards him the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO).  The Commission on Professional Credentialing met recently to officially confer the re-designation upon Garzarek.  He is one of only 1,080 CFOs worldwide.

The CFO designation program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in several measured components.  These include experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competencies.

Garzarek received his original designation in 2012.  To maintain the designation, individuals need to show they have continued to develop as a CFO in four areas – professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement.

A Board of Review consisting of members of the fire and emergency services profession, academia and municipal agencies review each application and recommends successful candidates for designation to the Commission.

Garzarek has been Franklin’s Fire Chief since 2004.

BOFT Lecture Series

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Lecture Series: “The Founders, the Evolution of America, and the Road to Civil War”
The Battle of Franklin Trust will kick off its free lecture series on Aug. 20 at 6 pm in the Fleming Center at Carnton. CEO Eric Jacobson and Franklin Civil War Roundtable founder Greg Wade will lead a discussion, entitled “The Founders, the Evolution of America, and the Road to Civil War.” The lecture is free and open to the public and will last about 60 minutes. Reservations are not required, although attendees are encouraged to arrive early as seating is limited to 100. For more information, contact Brittany Mayfield at (615) 794-0903 or brittany@boft.org.

Raise the Roofs

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More than a dozen restaurants, an acclaimed local songwriter, one-of-a-kind artwork and plenty of equestrian-themed entertainment will greet attendees at the Fourth Annual “Raise the Roofs” on Saturday, August 15th at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm.