Dickens of a Christmas

4:15 pm | Saturday, Nov 1st
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Dickens of a Christmas brings entertaining weekend to Historic Downtown Franklin

This year will mark the 30th year to celebrate Dickens of a Christmas in Historic Downtown Franklin!  Each second weekend in December, we travel back 150 years in time to a Main Street from the time of Charles Dickens, and the tradition continues this year Dec. 13-14, 2014, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Dickens of a Christmas is a free street festival, is open to the public, and is expected to attract some 50,000 visitors over the weekend.

Produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County and Downtown Franklin Association, Dickens of a Christmas is often listed as a  Top 20 event in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

More than 250 volunteers participate in the event as characters from Dickens’s stories, vendors or street performers. Show up any time over the course of the weekend, and you’re sure to meet Ebenezer Scrooge, his unfortunate partner Marley (the ghost in chains), little Tiny Tim Cratchit and his family, and many more, including Father Christmas.

In addition to more than two dozen street performers, there are many scheduled performances throughout the event.

Other activities include:

  • Horse-drawn carriage rides around the Public Square for $2 per person.John Fraser, Historic Franklin Book_small
  • A holiday bazaar arts & crafts area encircles Franklin’s charming Public Square.
  • Dancers and street musicians on Main Street throughout the event. Violinists, hand bell choirs, harpists, carolers and even a water harmonica player all add to the entertaining street scene.
  • Costumed characters from Dickens’s stories interacting with visitors on the street. Scrooge bellows his “Bah! Humbug” while the Cratchit family parades the streets with Tiny Tim. Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future make regular appearances. Urchins under the direction of the nefarious Fagin from Dickens’s Oliver pester English Bobbies (who are actually Franklin Police Officers on duty in costume). Father and Mother Christmas delight children.
  • Victorian treats abound, from authentic fish ‘n’ chips to turkey legs, roasted nuts, kettle corn, roasted corn, roasted pork, sausages and sugar plums.
  • Everyone is invited to join the Town Sing starting at the Public Square at 4:30 p.m. Sunday with candles ($1 donation requested) and song sheets.Dickens of a Christmas is free and open to the public, presented by The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association, which seeks to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.
  • Getting there: From Interstate 65, take Exit 65 and head west toward Franklin for three miles on Highway 96/Murfreesboro Road/Third Avenue South, which runs into the Public Square at the heart of the festival. Turn right or left at Church Street as you approach the Square to access either of the two free parking garages on Fourth Avenue South or Second Avenue South. Additional on-street free parking is available.

For information on corporate sponsorships or general info on Dickens of a Christmas, contact Krista Dial at kdial@historicfranklin.com.

To apply for street or stage performance opportunities at Dickens of a Christmas, complete this online application.

Incident at Fort Granger

2:16 pm | Friday, Oct 31st
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Franklin’s Pull-Tight Players are working together with the Franklin City Parks Department to present a special free one-day-only performance of “Incident at Fort Granger,” on November 8, at 3:00 p.m., at the Eastern Flank Events Facility next to Carnton Plantation.  The play will be performed on the back porch.  Attendees should bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on, and they are advised to dress warmly.  It is recommended for adults and children age 10 and older.  Refreshments will not be available for sale.  Visitors are allowed to bring their own, although no alcohol is allowed in City Parks.

The play is about an hour and a half long, without an intermission.  It will end shortly before sunset.  In the event of inclement weather, the play will be performed inside the building.  This is being done as one of the town’s Sesquicentennial events commemorating the Battle of Franklin.

The incident, well known to historians and Franklin natives, occurred on June 8, 1863, shortly after the Union fort was built.  Two Confederates, disguised as Union officers, came to Fort Granger for a reason still being debated, but were discovered and tried as spies.

The play, written by former Franklin resident Bob Holladay, was well researched and much of the dialogue was taken from newspapers and official records of the trial.  Directed by Peggy Macpherson, the cast features Vince Cusomato, Jeanne Drone, Ron Geagan and Nelson Bryan as the four Watchers.  Union soldiers are played by Jim Anderson, John Fraser, Jerry Sharber, Stan Ferguson, Jake Cannon, Jonathan Wilson, Hanes Sparkman, Mike Foster, Bill Jones and Mark Hyssong.  The two visitors to the fort are played by Preston Crook and Hunter Mason. Several re-enactors led by Mike Hoover, Captain of the 1st Tennessee Infantry, Company D, will be in the cast as Union guards and also as Confederate ambushers.

This play has been performed many times by the Pull-Tight Players since 1998.  It was first performed on the Public Square during Franklin’s Bicentennial.  Most of the cast have performed in it multiple times — sometimes in different roles.  It has been done  on the Pull-Tight stage, outdoors at Carnton Plantation, in Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, and, by special invitation, on the lawn of Tudor Place in Georgetown, Washington DC (the ancestral home of one of the  two Confederates).  Last year, on the 150th anniversary of the incident, the play was performed on the grounds of Fort Granger.

For more information, go to www.franklin150.com.

Halloween Costumes

3:27 pm | Wednesday, Oct 15th
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Trick or Treat!!  We’ve combed through several pics to bring you some of the cutest Halloween costume ideas for October 31.

Do you have a fabulous costume idea?  Send us a pic, and it may make it on this page.  Email: Contact@old.oldfranklinis.jlbdev.com with the subject line: Halloween Costumes

Curious about the origins of Halloween costumes and trick or treating?  Check out the latest from Wikipedia:

“In parts of Ireland, Scotland, Mann and Wales, the festival also included guising and mumming.[24] This involved people going from house to house in costume (or in disguise) reciting songs in exchange for food.[24] Guising at the festival goes back at least as far as the 18th century.[24] It may have come from the Christian custom of souling (see below) or it may have a Celtic origin, with the costumes being a means of imitating, or disguising oneself from, the spirits/fairies. In some places, young people dressed as the opposite gender.[24] In parts of Wales, men went about dressed as fearsome beings called gwrachod.[24] In parts of southern Ireland, the guisers included a hobby horse – a man dressed as a Láir Bhán (white mare) would lead youths house-to-house collecting food; by giving them food, the household could expect good fortune from the ‘Muck Olla’.[25] Elsewhere in Europe, mumming and hobby horses were a part of other festivals. However, they may have been “particularly appropriate to a night upon which supernatural beings were said to be abroad and could be imitated or warded off by human wanderers”.[24] When “imitating malignant spirits it was a very short step from guising to playing pranks”.[24] The guisers commonly played pranks in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands.[24] Guising and playing pranks at Halloween spread to England in the 20th century.”[24]

$150,000 for the Battlefield

2:30 pm | Tuesday, Oct 14th
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Once part of the Carter family garden, the Lovell property was caught in the midst of the some of the most furious fighting during the Battle of Franklin. It is currently home to the Flower Shop and Williamson County CASA, both of which will relocate elsewhere in Franklin after the purchase. On May 27, The Battle of Franklin Trust and Franklin’s Charge jointly entered into a contract and agreed to raise $2.8 million in one year to complete the purchase of the property. Encompassing 1.6 acres, the land will become part of the 20-acre Carter’s Hill Battlefield Park.

Local developer Calvin Lehew recently committed to lead the fundraising charge with a $50,000 donation.  At least five other donors have contributed amounts of at least $5,000 each and the Trust aims to raise the remaining $75,000 on or before Oct. 16.

This signature kickoff event will be held at The Carter House on Thursday, Oct.16 from 4 to 7 p.m.  Funds raised will be allocated entirely toward the Lovell property project.  The property is perhaps the most important piece of Civil War battlefield in American that has yet to be preserved.  It is also a crucial component of the Carter’s Hill Park that is emerging along Columbia Pike.

During the $150,000 For The Battlefield event, donation and pledge tables will be set up around the historic site for guests to contribute to the cause. To reach its goal, the Trust will need at least 300 individuals or organizations to each make a minimum $250 donation, but any larger contribution is welcome.  Pledges may be made as long as they are fulfilled by May 31, 2015.
“This one of a kind event is an opportunity for the local community to engage in battlefield preservation and make a profound impact,” said Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric A. Jacobson. “Saving this property is a legacy that future generations, both here in Franklin and across the country, will appreciate for generations to come.”

The Carter House is located at 1140 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 3

Trick or Treat at the Mansion

2:22 pm | Tuesday, Oct 14th
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Trick-or-Treating at the “Old Maney Mansion”

At the dead-end of North Maney Avenue you’ll find a tree-lined drive to the most famous mansion in Murfreesboro! The iron gates are open and the mansion, normally locked and secured, is ready to greet you on this rare night! Bring your little ghosts and goblins to the doors of the dimly lit Oaklands Mansion to offer their most haunting greeting. As the doors creak open to reveal the grand stair hall, and the family in mourning, you’ll see that this isn’t like any “haunted” house you’ve visited.

Victorian families stopped the clocks, shuttered the windows and draped their mirrors in black when a loved one died.  Before the time of funeral homes, the family’s parlor was the scene of their funerals and wakes.  Just like any home on Halloween, you can’t go in, at least not tonight.  Through the doors, you’ll see just enough of the inside of this sprawling Italianate mansion to wet your appetite to return for a full tour!

James Manning, Executive Director of Oaklands Historic House Museum said, “This is a unique opportunity to introduce kids to Oaklands in a new and exciting way! You’ll be helping to make special memories for them that will last a lifetime”!

By 1860, Oaklands was one of the most elegant homes in Middle Tennessee and situated on an over 1,500 acre plantation! Following the Civil War, it deteriorated from a majestic mansion to virtual ruins and, in the 1950’s, its very existence was threatened. Thankfully, the mansion was saved from the wrecking ball when a group of concerned ladies created Oaklands Association in 1959.   Since then, the generosity of the community has provided for the restoration of Oaklands to its original splendor! By preserving the mansion and grounds, its unique history can be shared time and time again!

Trick-or-Treating at the “Old Maney Mansion” is free, open to the public and will take place at the doors of Oaklands Mansion at 900 N. Maney Avenue in Murfreesboro, TN on October 31, 2014, from 4:00p.m. until all candy is given away!

For more information, contact Oaklands Historic House Museum at (615) 893-0022 or email info@oaklandsmuseum.org

Event Details
Start date: October 31, 2014
Start time: 4:00 pm

Grand Ol’ Chili Cook-off

12:00 am | Tuesday, Oct 14th
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The transformation of the Leiper’s Fork Chili Cook off into the GRAND OL’ CHILI COOKOFF was inspired by the musical environment of this community and general area. The idea is to create a festival type event that beckons the community and visitors to gather together to make new friendships and reunite with people in a festive atmosphere.

www.GrandOlChiliCookoff.com

An adorable mascot has been added to the event, and his name is GrandPeppey. He is a red hot Grandfather looking chili pepper who plays the guitar as well as conveys the message that our festival will be full of music and fun! This Forktober Fund Raising event has a lofty goal to raise $40,000 for the Leiper’s Fork Community Fund.

Located in the Pow Wow Field adjacent to Floyd Rd at 4121 Old Hillsboro Rd, ticket prices for the 13th Annual Chili Cookoff are $8 Adults – Kids 8 and under: FREE – Family Pak $25 includes 2 adults (16 and up) + 2 children (9-15). Tickets will be sold at the gate, which opens at 10am.

Features include: Live music from 3 bands, dancing, clogging, chili tasting, kids zone with blow up structures, mechanical bull, food vendors, artisan market vendors, prizes, costumes, unique scenes in various booths, Grand Ol’ Chili Stage, Hank Williams Sr impersonator and free parking! All proceeds go to the Leiper’s Fork Community Fund.

The Leiper’s Fork Community Fund helps a variety of people and merchants in the Leiper’s Fork Area. Helping families that fall on hard times and need groceries or help pay an electric bill is one of the uses of this fund. Another aspect of the fund is to contribute to the Hillsboro Kids Christmas gifts donations. And it is used to help bring free events to the community in an effort to help the merchants increase their foot traffic and ultimately their sales.

Expanding relief efforts in our area is an important mission as we want to make sure people have a safe place to live and food to eat. Tornadoes, floods, hail storms and other types of extreme weather have hit our area hard over the last 6 years, destroying homes and property and putting people in an unexpected state of shock and poverty. Establishing a substantial community fund will allow us to locally provide meals and relief supplies to the people affected right away. Helping each other in our community in times of need is an important aspect of rural living.  It’s important to meet immediate needs such as food, water, cleaning supplies, hygiene items and blankets.

How to Help: Those who would like to help people affected by extreme weather disasters and other crises can make a donation to the Heritage Foundation earmarked for the Leiper’s Fork Community Fund.

MISSION STATEMENT:  To raise money in order to support the Leiper’s Fork Community fund which assists individuals and families within the community during difficult times.  Financial assistance includes payment of household bills, groceries and provides Christmas presents for families in need.  The purpose of the Grand Ol’ Chili Cookoff is to raise money and also to bring community members and visitors to the town for an old-fashioned fall festival. This event exemplifies the creative and all-inclusive atmosphere unique to Leiper’s Fork.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Lavana Deal, Lavana@grandolchilicookoff.com W: 615-791-9860   C: 615-478-8262

Brewsboro Fest

7:51 pm | Friday, Oct 3rd
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The Fourth Annual Brewsboro Fest has been scheduled for Saturday, October 11th at The Avenue® Murfreesboro. The event will be held from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm and is expecting a sell-out crowd of 2,500. A portion of the ticket sales will go to benefit the Murfreesboro Young Professionals.

Attendees will receive a souvenir mug and will be able to sample brews from local, regional, national, and imported breweries. Attendees will be able to purchase and enjoy food from local restaurants: Boutique Burger Bar, Humpty’s, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Nashville Street Taco and Batey Farms.

Live music begins at 2:00 pm and will run through the event with local artist Mize and the Drive and DJ Tim Battle.

Free parking will be available at The Avenue® Murfreesboro near the Belk store.

Attendees will have multiple ticket-buying options. To purchase tickets in person, stop by Nissan of Murfreesboro on Memorial Boulevard or Humidor / Liquid Smoke on the town square. Tickets are also available online at BrewsboroFest.com. General Admissions tickets are $30.00 (plus tax) in advance but may be purchased at the event for $40.00 (plus tax) if it has not sold out. VIP tickets are available for $40 (plus tax) in advance and includes an early admission into the event. Admission to the event includes all beer samples and a souvenir mug. Hotel packages are also available and include a stay at the Embassy Suites on Saturday night plus two tickets to the event.

“We are very excited to bring Brewsboro Fest back to Murfreesboro again this year,” says Event Director, Candace Price. “We’ve received such great feedback from the attendees, brewers and sponsors over the last couple of years and look forward to another great event.”

More Brewsboro information can be found on Twitter @Brewsboro or online at BrewsboroFest.com or Facebook.com/Brewsboro.

Battle of Franklin

3:52 pm | Monday, Sep 29th
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Tickets are ONLY being sold in advance! Click here to purchase your tickets!

On November 15 & 16, re-enactors from all over the country will recreate two different scenarios from the 1864 Battle of Franklin. A different scene will be depicted each day and admission is charged separately for each day.

Saturday, November 15: The Columbia Pike Sector and Fighting Near the Carter House
Sunday, November 16: A. P. Stewart’s Advance Against the Federal Left Flank
The re-enactment will be held on Eastern Flank Battlefield Park, adjacent to Carnton Plantation, and will involve strictly infantry and artillery.
The re-enactors will encamp on the grounds just south of Carnton and approximately 8-10 sutlers will set up in close proximity to the soldiers’ camps. Parking for spectators will be available on-site. Additional parking will be available off-site and free trolley service will be provided to transport spectators to and from the re-enactment. Food and drink will be available to purchase on-site.
Admission per Day:
$10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 – 12, free for children 5 & under

Giving Back

3:35 pm | Monday, Sep 29th
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On November 15, Franklin, TN will remember the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin.  There will be re-enactors from all over the country on November 15, and 16, bringing history to life.  JLB Works is excited about this community event and has donated all Eastern Flank Battlefield design with the signs around town commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin.

In addition to their support of the Battle of Franklin’s Charge, JLB Works supports many local non-profits such as Hard Bargain, the Boys and Girls Club of Williamson County, Leadership Franklin, the Franklin Theatre, Community Housing, and CASA.

JLB donates a portion of its income to CASA to help children in need.  JLB’s owner Ken Royer said,

“Because we live and work in the Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, TN area, it’s important to our staff to support local nonprofit organizations with their design, Web and communications needs. We understand that many organizations can’t afford to pay typical corporate prices, but we recognize how important it is for these groups to get the word out.”

Helping non-profits “get the word out” is exactly what JLB Works aims to do whether that is through email marketing, web design, branding, or copywriting.  JLB Works is dedicated to helping the community.  To learn more about JLB Works, visit www.jlbworks.com.

Pumpkinfest

3:08 pm | Monday, Sep 29th
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Franklin’s favorite fall celebration is returning to Main Street this month, and this time it’s bigger and better than ever.

The 31st annual Pumpkinfest will take place on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., bringing a full day of free entertainment to families in the area. Presented by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County, the festival will stretch along Main Street from First to Fifth avenues, and will also include portions of Third and Fourth avenues. Attendees can expect a day of live music, various contests, an array of arts and crafts booths, a chili cook-off and much more.

In addition, The Great Pumpkin will be making an appearance at Pumpkinfest after traveling across the country from Franklin’s sister city, Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada. Festivalgoers will have the chance to participate in a “Guess the Weight” contest where one lucky winner will take home a $50 gift certificate to Stroud’s Barbecue.

“Everybody in Franklin looks forward to Pumpkinfest each year,” said René Evans, the Heritage Foundation’s Festival Vendor Relations Manager. “We always try to mix things up by bringing new and exciting entertainment to the festival, and fresh vendors and artisans—but at the same time, we look forward to revisiting annual favorites as well.”

Other activities at this year’s Pumpkinfest include:

  • Two stages offering continuous entertainment from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

o   The Bethel University stage at City Hall will feature five performance groups from Bethel’s Renaissance program: two bluegrass bands, a Southern gospel quartet, a 15-voice group and a 55-member choir.

o   The School of Rock stage at Five Points will feature a variety of local performance schools and regional groups.

o   Then at 5 p.m. on the School of Rock stage, The People’s Church will present the Battle of the Bands, a competition between four teenage bands—the winner will go home with a cash prize of $500. For band audition information, email Danielle at dberg@thepeopleschurch.org.

  • Children’s activities will be located on Third Avenue South, and will include pumpkin painting, free games with small prizes offered by several local non-profits, pony and train rides, inflatables and more.
  • A separate area of attractions for older children will be available on Fourth Avenue North, and will feature bungee jumping, a mechanical bull and a spider web mountain.
  • More than 80 arts and crafts booths will feature unique, handcrafted wares that complement fall and the holiday season including jewelry, food and home décor items. Booths will be open along Main Street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Over a dozen food vendors will be selling traditional street festival favorites like corn dogs and hot dogs, barbecue, funnel cakes and kettle corn, as well as fresh bagels, gourmet coffee, fish tacos and jambalaya.
  • A community swing dance will commence at 4:45 p.m. on the Public Square to the sounds of 5 Points Swing. Unsure of your swing dance skills?  Local dancers will be there to warm you up with brief instructions before the band starts up.
  • The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-Off will feature 15 teams competing for the 12th annual title. A $10 ticket includes a 2 oz. sample from each team, and beer will be available for purchase in conjunction with the Chili Cook-Off. The tent will be located on Third Avenue South, between City Hall and the Courthouse, where competitors will be serving from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
  • An extreme pumpkin carving contest will feature the Leiper’s Fork Carving Club and their work. The public will have a chance to vote on their favorite carved pumpkin, plus the opportunity to purchase one via silent auction.
  • Children, adults and even pets can compete in four categories during the annual costume contest. The categories are: pets; children, ages 0-2; 3-5; 6-11; 12+ and groups. Registration is limited to the first 40 entrants in each category and includes a $2 entry fee. Those who wish to participate can sign-up from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. near the Bethel University Renaissance stage at City Hall. Competition will begin at 2 p.m.
  • Offsite parking will be available at both Harlinsdale Park and The People’s Church, with trolley rides to downtown for $1 per person each way, which will run from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Pets and strollers are not permitted on the trolleys.

Pumpkinfest is produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association. The annual October festival is just one of the many activities presented by the non-profit group, which was founded in 1967 to protect and preserve Williamson County’s historic, architectural and geographic resources. For more information, call 615-591-8500 or visit www.historicfranklin.com.sion, the Downtown Franklin Association.

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