Come by the Franklin Visitors Center on Saturday, December 5, at 11:45 am. Storytime returns to the Visitor Center in Downtown Franklin, Tennessee on December 5th at 11:45 am. Bring the whole family and enjoy Santa reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” followed by a special meet n greet. Attendance is limited so get there early to secure your spot!
FiftyForward is proud to present the 5th Annual Viva la Diva Run on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Nissan North America campus in Cool Springs. This cross-generational event celebrates and supports health, wellness and safety programs for girls and women of all ages. Men and boys are encouraged to run in support of the women in their lives. This year we are excited to feature Girls On the Run as our 5K partner.
Proceeds to Benefit FiftyForward Health and Wellness Programs
FiftyForward produces this event to raise proceeds benefiting its health and wellness programs for older adults (50+). In addition, funds raised from Viva la Diva will be used to help older adults access community resources they need to remain living independently. These FiftyForward services and programs include Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Services, Victory over Crime, Conservatorship and Care Management.
About FiftyForward
Founded in 1956, FiftyForward enriches the lives of adults 50+ by providing pathways to health, well-being and lifelong learning. With seven active aging centers offering educational and wellness programs throughout Davidson and Williamson counties, the non-profit organization also features FiftyForward Adult Day Care Services, FiftyForward Meals on Wheels as well as the FiftyForward Care Team offering care assessment and services to homebound adults. FiftyForward Travel offers adventures (near and far) and Senior Center for the Arts and The Larry Keeton Theatre, located in FiftyForward Donelson Station, features performing arts for all ages. Learn more about FiftyForward resources and volunteer opportunities by visiting: www.fiftyforward.org.
Step back in time with the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County when Dickens of a Christmas returns to Franklin’s Main Street December 12-13, 2015.
Sponsored this year by Nissan, the 31st annual free street festival will recreate the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s Victorian architecture as the backdrop. Some 200 musicians, dancers and characters will fill the streets, including several from Charles Dickens’s stories. Expect to see and interact with 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.
“Dickens of a Christmas is the perfect event for our historic Main Street,” said Mary Pearce, executive director of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. “Downtown Franklin always exudes its own special magic, and yet this event adds an extra bit of sparkle. It dovetails perfectly with our preserved Victorian architecture and our commitment to saving and showcasing our historical treasures. As more attention is turned toward downtown Franklin in both the local and national press, we encourage festival goers to dress in Victorian costume and to add to the ambiance as they stroll the streets. Adding even a hat and scarf to modern attire helps set the scene and get everyone in the holiday mood.”
This year’s event will reprise a crowd favorite from last year: it WILL snow at Dickens of a Christmas! Come decked out in holiday style to capture that perfect family picture.
New this year will be the Lucky Scruff Wintery Whisker Revue, a competition among hirsute gentlemen for the finest facial hair. Those taking advantage of No Shave November will want to hang on to their whiskers until the Sunday afternoon competition on the stage at the Public Square. Winners will take home fabulous prizes courtesy of Lucky Scruff, a new store at The Factory specializing in accessories for the bearded gentleman, and all entrants will receive gift cards. The judging will take place at 3pm. To enter this contest, visit the Dickens event page at HistoricFranklin.com.
Favorite Victorian-era activities will return, including sugar plums and roasted chestnuts being sold on the street. Other food vendors will offer heartier old English fare. A variety of musical and dance performances will take place both on the street and on the stage at City Hall. Horse-drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo for children, live artisan demonstrations, and more than 70 vendors offering holiday arts and crafts will line Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenues. Each day will conclude with a town sing of classic Christmas carols. Saturday’s town sing will take place in front of the stage on the Public Square; Sunday’s town sing will be conducted inside the Historic Presbyterian Church at Five Points.
Dickens of a Christmas will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 13. The event is free and open to the public; some attractions will involve a small fee. More information and a schedule of events will be available at www.historicfranklin.com.
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.
armhouse Holiday Pop-up Fair – November 13th – 15th. The #CityFarmhousePopup has been named as one of the top five events to attend in October by Southern Living magazine, and the #1 Flea Market & Antique Show to attend by Romantic Country magazine. Please visit City Farmhouse Holiday Pop-up Fair for more information
Saturday, November 14, 2015
10:00am, 2:00pm & 6:00pm
Jamison Hall in the Factory at Franklin – 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064
The American Girl Fashion Show is a fun-filled event for girls and their families, friends, and favorite dolls! Celebrate the experience of being a girl, whether yesterday or today, through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. Enjoy elegant refreshments, enter to win door prizes, and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history culture, and girls’ individual styles. For tickets and much more please visit American Girl Fashion Show.
armhouse Holiday Pop-up Fair – November 13th – 15th. The #CityFarmhousePopup has been named as one of the top five events to attend in October by Southern Living magazine, and the #1 Flea Market & Antique Show to attend by Romantic Country magazine. Please visit City Farmhouse Holiday Pop-up Fair for more informationGuests will gather to taste wines together that have been perfectly paired with a 5 course menu designed by our Chef, Chase Ingalls and head baker Jen Mello. Chef Chase’s approach to these dinners is to source the highest quality ingredients from our farm partners and create a menu that combines creativity, thoughtful flavor profiles and dishes that are truly inspired by the wine. For tickets and more information please visit Frothy Monkey.
Thursday, Nov 12
Frothy Franklin
Wine Love
This series of dinner pairings is in partnership with The Bottle Shop. Please contact Jennifer Sheets at jenn@frothymonkey.com with any questions.
Usher in the holiday season with an enchanting tour of historic homes and landmarks. The annual Oaklands Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes is slated for December 5, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The tour, sponsored by Oaklands Association will feature beautiful and historic private homes, distinctive churches, and the graceful Oaklands Mansion.
In the late 1860s, the Maneys subdivided and sold much of their front acreage into lots to create a residential neighborhood, originally called “Maney’s Addition,” thought to be Murfreesboro’s first “subdivision.” It later became North Maney Avenue, which intersects present-day Main Street. Advertisements for lots in Maney’s Addition appeared in local newspapers assuring prospective owners free access to the Maneys’ spring. In the late 1880s, after she left Oaklands, Adaline Maney moved into a home in Maney’s Addition known as “Big Holly.” Today that home is the property of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Bell and will be featured on the tour.
Following the old carriage path of the plantation, stops along the holiday tour include the following historic buildings:
These festively adorned historical homes and churches, dressed in holly and evergreen, will transport you to a simpler time. From the veranda of Oaklands Mansion and along the nine block tour, you will hear the music of carolers from local schools. Warm up with a cup of Demos’ famous chicken-n-rice soup or their award-winning banana pudding, on sale at their restaurant office at 503 North Maney Avenue. While at Oaklands, visit Gee-Ma’s food truck for old home cooking and a “meat and three” menu.
“This years’ tour will guide visitors along the old carriage path of the plantation and offer an opportunity to visit homes spanning several decades and various architectural styles,” said James Manning, Executive Director of Oaklands. “Visiting the festively appointed homes on our Candlelight Tour is a popular way to begin the celebration of the holidays.”
The cornerstone of the tour is the grand Oaklands Mansion. Interpreters in period attire will guide you through the history of this gracious home. At its peak, Oaklands was the center of a 1,500 acre plantation and one of the most elegant homes in Rutherford County. Since that time, Oaklands has seen dramatic changes. Following the Civil War, it deteriorated from a majestic mansion to virtual ruins and, in the 1950’s, its very existence was threatened. The mansion was brought back from the brink of destruction, saved from the wrecking ball when a group of concerned ladies created Oaklands Association in 1959. Since that time, the Association has worked tirelessly to restore Oaklands to its original splendor and preserve its unique history.
Today, local residents and visitors alike enjoy the mansion that has been lovingly restored and brought back to its former glory. The proceeds of the Candlelight Tour of Homes go toward the continuing preservation of this historic treasure. Purchase advance tickets (either online at www.OaklandsMansion.org or in the museum shop) by 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 3 and receive a special price of $12.50 for adults. Admission is $15.00 per adult at the door, $5.00 students and children, free for ages 5 and under. Sponsorships for the Tour are still available. On the night of the tour, tickets can be purchased at any home on the tour or at Oaklands’ Museum Shop. Oaklands Association is a non-profit educational organization. For information on becoming a member or a volunteer, please call (615) 893-0022 or email: info@OaklandsMansion.org.
Blue & Gray Days draws hundreds of school children and adult spectators every year. Hosted by both The Carter House and Carnton Plantation, guests will meet Civil War re-enactors and get hands on experience with clothes, trades, and weapons of the past. This living history experience is the perfect field trip and great for families. For additional details or to make field trip reservations, please contact Angell Wallace at (615) 794-0903 or angell@boft.org.
Please note: Friday morning is always reserved specifically for school groups. Open to the general public at 1:30pm on Friday.
Individual Dates & Times: *
Nov 6, 2015: 9 am – 5 pm (Fri)
Nov 7, 2015: 9 am – 5 pm (Sat)
* Event durations are approximate. Please check with the presenting organization or venue to confirm start times and duration.
Blue & Gray Days draws hundreds of school children and adult spectators every year. Hosted by both The Carter House and Carnton Plantation, guests will meet Civil War re-enactors and get hands on experience with clothes, trades, and weapons of the past. This living history experience is the perfect field trip and great for families. For additional details or to make field trip reservations, please contact Angell Wallace at (615) 794-0903 or angell@boft.org.
Please note: Friday morning is always reserved specifically for school groups. Open to the general public at 1:30pm on Friday.
Individual Dates & Times: *
Nov 6, 2015: 9 am – 5 pm (Fri)
Nov 7, 2015: 9 am – 5 pm (Sat)
* Event durations are approximate. Please check with the presenting organization or venue to confirm start times and duration.