Williamson County Fair Wins Big!

3:36 pm | Wednesday, Feb 24th

The Williamson County Fair has been recognized as among the best anywhere in several categories, according to its peers at the state and international levels. The non-profit organization that operates the Fair each August recently won 10 separate awards from the Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) and the International Association of Fairs & Expos (IAFE), respectively. This year’s Williamson County Fair is set for August 5 -13 at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park.

In the IAFE Competitive Exhibits category, Williamson County’s Fair won the first-place “Best of Division” award for a Quilt Block Challenge that took place over two consecutive years – where dozens of participants created a community quilt by sewing quilt blocks using coordinating fabric swatches distributed at the 2014 County Fair. Quilts Chair Connie Little and Creative Arts Chair Beth DiMaggio led an effort to convert the more than 40 blocks into a one-of-a-kind quilt that was raffled off at the 2015 Fair. Those proceeds were used to purchase display cases for the Creative Arts Room at the Ag Expo.

“This quilt project was two years in the making, and really encompassed everything our Fair is about – history, local culture, artistic talent, community education and fun,” said Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, chair of the Fair Board. “It was another example of the way fairgoers are introduced to the people and processes that are part of daily life in rural Williamson County, whether it’s agriculture or arts and crafts.”

On the state level, first-place awards in the AAA Division included promotional merchandise for a branded mason jar and the top prize for a scrapbook that documented all aspects of the Fair. Organizers earned second-place honors for the official Fair program and a pieced quilt designed and created by Kathy Kurlya, and third place for the website www.WilliamsonCountyFair.org.

At the International Association of Fairs & Exhibits Convention in Las Vegas, representatives of the Fair Board accepted the first-place trophy, as well as second-place awards for a unique and competitive participatory contest (sandwich cookie stacking) and a magazine ad. Third-place awards were for the Fair’s mobile website and newspaper ad.

“As a non-profit organization, the Fair is entirely a volunteer effort produced by people who care about our county, and want to preserve its history and culture and share it with others,” Anderson said. “The midway and the food and music and other great elements make it something we look forward to all year long.”

This is the 12^th anniversary for the Williamson County Fair, which began its modern iteration in 2005. Directed by a Board of 25 area leaders and supported by 1,800 volunteers, numerous sponsors, its home county and surrounding communities, the Fair has grown each summer and now hosts approximately 200,000 attendees over the nine-day run. For more information, visit www.WilliamsonCountyFair.org.

Light Up The Night

3:46 pm | Tuesday, Feb 23rd

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Local Art Crawl Shines A Light On 5th Year Of Williamson County Art And Culture

The Franklin Art Scene is continuing its 5th anniversary celebration on Friday, March 4 by shining a light on Williamson County art and culture with complimentary glowsticks, in addition to a wide range of local artisans.

Coordinated by the Downtown Franklin Association, the free event will feature 14 participating sites dispersed in and around downtown—including the Second South District and Bridge Street, as well as up and down Columbia Avenue.

The first 100 patrons at each location will receive glowsticks to wear throughout the night’s festivities, which will take place from 6-9 p.m. March’s “Light Up The Night” theme is one of many unique perks that regulars will see throughout the year, as the Franklin Art Scene prepares to celebrate its five year anniversary in September.

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to enter their photos from the night into a social media contest for the chance to have their name and shot featured on the Franklin Art Scene and Downtown Franklin Association’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Those who use the hashtags #ArtSceneGlow and #FranklinArtScene with their event photos will be eligible for selection.

Friday’s locations are slated to offer a sweeping variety of magnificent work, ranging from mixed-media pieces and handcrafted jewelry to turned wood and original paintings, including:

Boutique MMM, at 238 Public Square, is showcasing the works of Denise Michelle who enjoys creating true to life paintings while exploring traditional, as well as creative approaches to portraiture, still life and landscapes.

Franklin Glassblowing Studio, located at 1143 Columbia Avenue, will display artistry in motion as creator Jose Santisteban demonstrates the fascinating art of glassblowing.

Gallery 202, at 202 Second Avenue South, will host self-taught artist Mike Hooper. With work varying in a range of mediums – from paper and wood to paper mache sculptures – he most often categorizes his pieces as folk, impressionist or surrealist art.
Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 5th Avenue and Main Street, will feature the works of Tom Zigler—a life-long painter whose work captures a variety of things, primarily the outdoors and wildlife.

Hope Church, located at 1820 Downs Boulevard, will host Jo Sanders, an artisan who strives to create paintings that evoke emotion through color and energy.

Parks Realty, located at 415 Main Street, is showcasing the works of Essence DeVonne, whose subject matters and mediums range from hand-carved pop art cartoons to abstract butterflies.

The Visitor Center, at 400 Main Street will host Gretchen Adreon, who has drawn much of her inspiration from her father who was a sign muralist in Chicago. After exhibiting and selling her work to a number of clients in New York City, she relocated to Nashville where she continues to pursue her artistic path.

The Williamson County Archives, located at 611 West Main Street is featuring the works of Michalle Sessions, a Franklin local who has been painting and drawing ever since she can remember, and strives to bring creativity to the world each day.

Many of the galleries and working studios serve complimentary refreshments during the evening, and some offer live music. Free trolley rides provided by the Heritage Foundation circulate among all the stops, and patrons can jump on and off at will from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition to an online map and QR code, a Franklin Art Scene smartphone application is now available on Google Play. The download gives users up-to-date information on the upcoming art crawl and its locations.

For more information on indvidual sites and artists, visit www.facebook.com/franklinartscene.com. To download maps and applications, visit www.franklinartscene.com.

Franklin Synergy Plans Nolensville Branch

8:27 pm | Thursday, Dec 31st

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Franklin Synergy Bank filed an application with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions to open a branch at 7177 Nolensville Pike, Suite A-3, Nolensville, TN 37135.

“Nolensville is an exciting location for our twelfth Franklin Synergy Bank office,” noted Chairman and CEO Richard Herrington. “This is another step in our organic growth and we are eager to take this logical step in establishing a branch in this thriving community.”

The Nolensville Franklin Synergy Bank location will be the bank’s seventh office in Williamson County. Franklin Synergy also operates five branches in Rutherford County.

Visit us, today!

6:45 pm | Thursday, Dec 31st

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There are about 69,000 people living in Franklin, TN. There are almost 200,000 people living in Williamson County. Williamson County is filled with cute places to stay. As a local, I was pleasantly suprised to find 65 rental options just in Franklin, TN. If you have the chance to visit us, check out our local hotels, b&b’s and VRBO rentals. There is something for everyone.

If you only have an hour or two to visit us, stop by the Visitor’s Center in historic downtown Franklin (just off Fourth Avenue North). They will tell you about our historic sites like Carnton and Lotz or a guided walking tour (or the self-guided tour ) of the historic downtown district. For all of your shopping needs downtown offers a quaint shopping experience while others might enjoy the mall experience at CoolSprings Galleria, middle TNs largest shopping mall.

Save the Carter Outbuildings

6:29 pm | Thursday, Dec 31st

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A century and a half ago November 30 became an indelible part of Franklin’s history. Since 1951 when The Carter House was saved and subsequently opened to the public, there have been many people and groups that have worked to preserve this important story. They have done so through battlefield reclamation, the care of historic structures, and telling the stories of thousands of Americans who were impacted by the Battle of Franklin.

For decades we have been building toward the future – and the future is now.

The Battle of Franklin Trust, in conjunction with Franklin’s Charge, is embarking on a campaign to preserve the Carter outbuildings – the farm office, smokehouse, and slave cabin. Help us achieve our goal to repair the historic buildings, open them to the public, and broaden our daily presentation of the battle, the Carter family, and slavery.

Click here to support the Carter House Outbuildings!

Click here to support Carter Hill Battlefield Park!

Free Family Open Houses

9:10 pm | Monday, Dec 14th

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Williamson County Parks and Recreation (WCPR) is pleased to invite the public to four free open houses on Saturday, January 9. The Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd.; the Longview Recreation Center at Spring Hill, 2909 Commonwealth Dr.; the Fairview Recreation Complex, 2714 Fairview Blvd.; and the Williamson County Recreation Complex at Nolensville, 7250 Nolensville Rd. will each host open houses and tours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

During the open houses, all scheduled group fitness classes, including aerobics, indoor cycling and Aqua Fitness are free. Tours will be offered, and there will be children’s ‘make-it, take-it’ art activities. Meet the instructors from our art, dance, seniors and therapeutics classes.

Staff will be on hand to provide information about WCPR’s new 2016 pricing and pass program, which includes new ‘standard’ and ‘premium’ rates, as well as online purchases of passes. Learn how to set up your family’s profile in our new booking system.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams, classes and events. For program registration, pass purchasing or additional information, visit www.wcparksandrec.com. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County Parks and Recreation on Facebook or following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or on Pinterest.

Dickens of a Christmas

11:00 am | Sunday, Dec 13th

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Downtown Franklin, Dickens of a Christmas

Each year, Main Street recalls the spirit of Christmases past when the Heritage Foundation throws its annual Dickens of a Christmas celebration! This year the event marks its 31st anniversary, and will feature both time-honored activities that have become perennial favorites, as well as a few new traditions in the making.

Franklin’s Main Street–and its beautiful Victorian architecture–will be decked out for the holiday season. Some 200 characters, dancers and entertainers in the street, including several from Charles Dickens’s stories interacting with the public. Expect to see the nefarious Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim Cratchit with his parents from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children.

What to Expect

Sugar plums and roasted chestnuts being sold on the street, much like they were during the Victorian era.
Street vendors selling old English fare, including bangers and mash (grilled sausages & mashed potatoes); Somerset Sausage Rolls (sausage-filled pastries); shepherd’s pies; fish ‘n chips; and Yorkshire “toasties” (spicy sausage, hamburger and cheese mixture on rye bread).
A variety of musical performances
Horse-drawn carriage rides on the Public Square.
A holiday arts and crafts bazaar.
A town sing of classic Christmas carols on the Public Square.
A costume contest, and so much more!

Visit website to learn more!

Producing Dickens of a Christmas 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.

Dickens of a Christmas

10:00 am | Saturday, Dec 12th

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Downtown Franklin, Dickens of a Christmas

What to Expect

Sugar plums and roasted chestnuts being sold on the street, much like they were during the Victorian era.
Street vendors selling old English fare, including bangers and mash (grilled sausages & mashed potatoes); Somerset Sausage Rolls (sausage-filled pastries); shepherd’s pies; fish ‘n chips; and Yorkshire “toasties” (spicy sausage, hamburger and cheese mixture on rye bread).
A variety of musical performances
Horse-drawn carriage rides on the Public Square.
A holiday arts and crafts bazaar.
A town sing of classic Christmas carols on the Public Square.
A costume contest, and so much more!

Visit website to learn more!

Sheryl Crow donates $20K

8:51 pm | Monday, Dec 7th

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Nearly 5,000 shoppers flooded Williamson County over the weekend to attend the City Farmhouse Holiday Pop-Up Fair at The Factory at Franklin, an antiques and vintage market that featured 35 vendors across the country – one of them being Sheryl Crow, who donated proceeds from the event to a non-profit close to her heart.

Through their purchases at the City Farmhouse Pop-up, shoppers – who were represented by states up and down the East Coast, and everywhere in between – helped bring in more than $20,000 for the World Food Program U.S.A., an organization that Crow has supported for years.

The Nashville-based celebrity, who says City Farmhouse is “her favorite spot to shop for antiques,” offered a range of goods from her personal stash to shoppers over the three-day event, selling everything from antique and vintage pieces to parts of her art collection and other home decor items.

“Our first holiday pop-up market was a huge success, and we are so thankful to Sheryl for jumping in for a good cause. People came to Franklin from all over to see her and shop the show,” said Kim Leggett, organizer of the City Farmhouse Pop-up Fairs. “Many of the vendors have said this is one of their best shows they’ve ever had.”

Coordinated by Kim and David Leggett, this is the first City Farmhouse Pop-up Fair that the pair has hosted at The Factory at Franklin, a former warehouse that is also home to their popular brick-and-mortar antiques store (also named City Farmhouse).

Kim says the experience was so enjoyable at The Factory at Franklin – for both guests and vendors – that they plan to have all future City Farmhouse Pop-up Fairs at the venue on Franklin Road, just a mile from the heart of downtown Franklin.

“There’s such a cool energy happening at The Factory right now with all the new shops and restaurants, and it’s the perfect space to host an event like this,” said Kim Leggett, organizer of the City Farmhouse Pop-up Fair. “We’re so excited about this show that we’re already planning the next one in June!”

A special Holiday Pop-up preview party kicked off the market on Friday night, and allowed ticket holders to sip ‘n’ shop the show while listening to a live performance by Nashville’s own Jamie Higdon. On Saturday and Sunday, the fun continued as the pop-up shoppers paid a $10 ticket to browse the hand-selected vendors’ booths, full of antique goods, seasonal wares and a range of timely gift items. In addition to selling her wares for charity, Crow also hosted two autograph sessions over the weekend for fans.

Those who missed the opportunity to enjoy the 2015 City Farmhouse Holiday Pop-up Fair need not worry: the Leggetts are already coordinating the next series for next year, and plan to announce 2016 dates in the coming months.

To learn more about City Farmhouse and their pop-up events, go to www.cityfarmhousefranklin.com.

More about City Farmhouse

City Farmhouse is a lifestyle brand that offers modern farmhouse style for urban & rural living. The brand is driven by Kim and David Leggett, a duo who’ve been “pickers” for more than 20 years, and whose trained eye and vivacious personalities have earned them national acclaim – from individuals interested in following popular vintage trends to interior designers.

To learn more about City Farmhouse brand, the City Farmhouse brick-and-mortar store in Franklin, Tenn., and the City Farmhouse Pop-up Fairs, go to www.cityfarmhousefranklin.com.

Photo credit: @alissasaylorphotography @alissasaylor

Mens Basketball Leagues

8:44 pm | Monday, Dec 7th

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The Athletics Division of Williamson County Parks and Recreation announces open registration for 2016 adult winter D1/D2 basketball leagues at Academy Park Gym, 114 Everbright Ave. in Franklin. The D1 and D2 leagues begin on Sundays in January.

The league fee is $475 per team and registration is online at www.wcparksandrec.com (code # 5791). Leagues will play a round robin format followed by a single elimination tournament. League registration ends January 4. For more information, contact Chris Gravlee at (615) 370-3471, ext. 2114.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams, classes and events. For more information about the facilities and programs of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.wcparksandrec.com, or call (615) 790-5719, ext. 2010. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County Parks and Recreation on Facebook.