Art for Inspiration

2:36 pm | Monday, Oct 10th
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Get Inspired at the upcoming 11th annual Art for Inspiration Fine Art Show and Sale on Saturday, November 12 from 6-9p.m. and Sunday, November 13 from 9:30a.m.-1p.m at St. Matthew Church. This free event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music, good food and shop for original art. Christmas is just around the corner. More than 30 artists will showcase their work in oils, watercolor, jewelry and photography.

Franklin artist Shari Lacy headlines the art show with many returning favorites including Kris Marks, Lisa McReynolds, Carol Wiel, Viveca Zettersten and Thalia Kahl. Also, we are excited about our newcomers Zoilita Monica, Suzanne Lynch, Tracy Yarbrough and Inez Negri. Complimentary childcare is provided for Saturday’s 21 and older wine and cheese opening. On Sunday, families are welcome to come enjoy the beautiful artwork and sample coffee and pastries. Additional information is available at www.stmatthewtn.org and at www.facebook.com/stmatthewchurchandschool.

FiftyForward hosts 11th Annual Martin Masters Event

12:39 pm | Friday, Oct 7th
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For one weekend, the FiftyForward Martin Center will be transformed into an art gallery displaying more than 500 original works of art by more than 40 local and regional professional artists. The eleventh annual Martin Masters event, a fine art sale and exhibit will be held October 14 and 15 located at 960 Heritage Way off Concord Road in Brentwood, Tennessee. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. with plenty of parking accessibility. Parking is accessible and free of charge.

 

If you’ve never been inside FiftyForward Martin Center, here’s an opportunity to indulge your artistic side and enjoy the rustic stone and wood beauty of the center. Art enthusiasts will have the first opportunity to purchase art and meet the participating artists, including featured artist J.J. Sneed.

 

The Opening Reception, Friday October14 from 5 to 8:00pm, attendees will enjoy lively music, food and wine sponsored by Grapevine Wine & Spirits and G Catering. The fine arts show and sale continues Saturday, October 15 from 10am to 4pm.  Free admission.

 

Martin Masters Fine Arts Show and sale continues to grow as it brings very talented artists and our community together. This year’s fine art sale promises an amazing selection of original art including paintings, sculpture, pottery and hand crafted jewelry in all price ranges and styles.  The opportunity to visit with the artists makes selecting artwork a very personal and unique experience,” said Sherry Coss, Associate Director, FiftyForward Martin Center.

 

This year’s featured artist, J. J. Sneed, was born in Oklahoma and has been a self-taught artist for most of his art career.  His paintings are filled with vivid colors and simple shapes.  The end results of each painting reflects a fun whimsical style. Thanks to his fourth grade teacher who saw potential in his artistic creativity and was willing to invest in him by purchasing a beginners art kit and giving it to him.

 

Artist quote: “I love to read a good book but I would much rather be painting instead, because each painting tells a story and I get the be the author” J. J. Sneed

 

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the FiftyForward Martin Center’s annual fund, providing financial support to further expand the Martin Center’s fine arts program, as well as other services including fitness, health and wellness, volunteerism, and lifelong learning.

 

Established in 1956, FiftyForward enriches the lives of adults 50+ by providing pathways to health, well-being and lifelong learning. For more information about FiftyForward programs and services, please contact Susan Sizemore, FiftyForward Communications Director, at (615) 743-3411 or visit www.fiftyforward.org.

For more information about the Martin Masters Fine Art Show and Sale, call (615) 376-0102 or go to www.themartincentertn.org

 

Featured Guest: J. J. Sneed

Artist to include:

  • Beth Affolter
  • Frank Baggett
  • Barbara Bays
  • John Cannon
  • Lauren Dunn
  • Ginny Elder
  • John Fisher
  • Kathy Goodhart
  • Nan Gurley
  • Sharon Haas
  • Jann Harrison
  • Stephanie Helmey
  • Bitsy Hughes
  • Joan Jannaman
  • Ron Kegarise
  • Shari Lacy
  • Leslie Lindecker
  • Lisa McReynolds
  • Joanne Miller
  • Paige Morehead
  • Sherri Parrish
  • Sarah Reeves
  • Jade Reynolds
  • Lorna Sanders
  • Jacqueline Saporiti
  • Tony Scott
  • Midge Simpson
  • Dot Small
  • Beverly Basham Smith
  • Jill Smith
  • Streater Spencer
  • David Ward
  • Ron York

 Introducing:

  • Al Sherick – Pottery
  • Steve Kaczmarczyk – Sculpture
  • Paula Barnett – Hand Crafted Jewerly

 

Spooks & Coupes

4:20 pm | Monday, Oct 3rd
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Williamson County Parks and Recreation presents Spooks and Coupes, a community Halloween event, on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. This annual event will feature over 30 classic cars (coupes) with trunks full of treats! Families and kids alike are encouraged to wear their costumes as they trick-or-treat along the trail behind the recreation center. Enter the Mad Hatter’s Maze and meet your favorite characters from Alice in Wonderland! Make something ghoulish in the Halloween craft tent or bounce on the inflatables. There will be free entertainment throughout the evening, plus free rides on the D&H Railroad trackless train! If you get hungry, delicious food truck concessions will be for sale (add’l cost).

 

Spooks & Coupes is one night only, Saturday, October 15 and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This family event is open to the public, and admission is $6 per person (cash, at the gate). Children one year and younger are admitted free. Groups are welcome, and the trail area is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call the Franklin Recreation Complex at (615) 790-5719, ext. 2010.

Spooks & Coupes is sponsored by Carbine and Associates, Williams Medical Supply, Maury Fence Supply Inc., C&I Design, The Print Authority, Puckett’s, Appleton Learning/N Genius Tutoring, Franklin Pool and Spas, Southern Athletic Fields and Wal-Mart.

 

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; following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or Instagram at @willcoparksandrec or on Pinterest or YouTube.

Pilgrimage: This Weekend in Franklin

1:38 pm | Thursday, Sep 22nd
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THE EXPERIENCE OF PILGRIMAGE MUSIC & CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Like most great ideas, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was inspired by friendship, history, and the desire to create a meaningful experience. Two years ago, Musician and Franklin, TN resident Kevin Griffin was on a September morning jog through The Park at Harlinsdale, a century-old horse farm recently purchased by the City of Franklin. Kevin was so taken by the rolling hills, natural amphitheaters, and breathtaking vistas of the 230-acre farm, he envisioned it as a natural fit for a music festival venue. Considering Franklin’s place, Kevin wanted people to understand the beauty and rustic quality of Middle Tennessee in the fall, and with the blessing of the City, began to dream up a music festival to do it justice.

Partnered with lifelong buddies W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan, the trio aspired to highlight the diversity and community spirit of the New Orleans Jazz Fest, tailoring the best elements to Franklin– a richly historic town just 20 minutes south of Nashville. Like Jazz Fest, Pilgrimage will take place during the day, and offer a diverse yet renowned lineup of rock and roll, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, indie, gospel and more. Performing on patina-clad stages reflecting the area’s aesthetic, many bands will “crank it down” and give a partly acoustic set specifically tailored to the day. Moreover, the fest will boast “Pilgri-mashups,” pairing artists together for special one-time collaborations on stage. The Little Pilgrims Stage will be more than a kids’ play area; it will feature a line-up of talented young musicians in their own right, to inspire and entertain kids and adults alike.

The region’s best food and drink will be on display at the Kitchen and Sippin’ stages at scheduled times throughout the weekend, and carefully selected food and merchant vendors will be featured in the Bazaar. When performances wrap at 8pm each day, guests can conveniently head back into the heart of downtown Franklin, within walking distance from the Park at Harlinsdale, to imbibe the best of the town’s restaurants, shops, and great weekend lineup of nighttime shows.

Ultimately, Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival invites folks of all ages on a journey to experience a myriad of musical styles, a bevy of food and beverages, and the rich regional spirit of Franklin, TN.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

HOTELS AND INNS

  • Stay tuned for a full list of inns and hotels in and around Franklin.

FESTIVAL INFO

  • In the coming weeks we will be releasing news and updates with festival details, stage info, festival services and maps. Please check back for the latest as you plan your pilgrimage.

PARKING

  • Parking will be available during the festival. Designated parking areas can be found on our parking page. As parking is limited and we highly encourage eco-friendly practices – walking, biking, canoeing, and carpooling – are encouraged!

PARKING & VIP PARKING PASSES

  • General admission parking passes are available for purchase. VIP parking passes will be sold with the VIP packages.

PARKING MAPS & UPDATES

  • Check out our parking map on our parking page for more details.

IN TOWN PARKING

  • Legal street parking and city owned parking garages are also options for festival parking. All parking codes will be strictly enforced including ticketing and towing.

ABOUT US

THE PILGRIMAGE FOUNDATION

  • The Pilgrimage Foundation is a Tennessee-based 501(c)(3), whose mission is to honor the diverse music and culture of Franklin by providing resources to the City of Franklin to aid improvement projects at Harlinsdale Farm and the community at large.

Touch a Truck Comes to Thompson’s Station

1:26 pm | Thursday, Sep 22nd
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Don’t forget to mark your calendar and attend Williamson County Parks and Recreation’s annual “Touch a Truck”! This free family friendly event will be held on Saturday, October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot of Thompson Station Church, 2604 Thompson Station Road and Columbia Pike. Kids of all ages will have the opportunity to look at, climb on and sound all the bells and whistles on nearly 30 different kinds of large scale construction and public service vehicles.

 

Kids can paint a toy vehicle to take home at the free craft tent, and families will enjoy a variety of entertainers on the performance stage, including musicians, magicians, and dancers! There will be free face painting and a raffle tent giving away lots of great prizes for the whole family, including cool items such as motorized kid’s vehicles and more! This is a great, hands-on opportunity for children and adults to explore all types of BIG vehicles. This event is for all ages to enjoy! Admission to the event is free; though cost is incurred for concessions from on-site food trucks. Rides on the D&H Railroad trackless train are just $1. Sponsors: The Children’s Academy and Sport Clips.  Supporters: Premier Chiropractic, Lil’ Sluggers (LPG Sports Academy), Merle Norman, Hibbett Sports, Captain D’s, Dreams Do Come True and McDonald’s. Concessions: Moe Better, Kona Ice, D’s Kettle Corn.

 

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For more information, contact Whitney Osborne at the Longview Recreation Center, (615) 302-0971, ext. 2214.

 

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; following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or Instagram at @willcoparksandrec or on Pinterest or YouTube.

Heritage Ball 2016

9:01 pm | Wednesday, Sep 14th
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The Heritage Ball will begin at 6pm with cocktails and a silent auction, followed at 7:45 by dinner, a live auction, and dancing until midnight. Al Paris and the Heartbreakers are back by popular demand!

For over four decades, the Heritage Ball has helped support the revitalization and historic preservation of Downtown Franklin and Williamson County. The longest running black tie affair in Williamson County has become a tradition within families, friends and businesses who appreciate the work of the Foundation and a lovely evening under the stars.

Producing the Heritage Ball 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.

 

Passport to the World

8:57 pm | Wednesday, Sep 14th
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Passport to the World is presented by Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County Tennessee, Inc., whose mission is to BUILD global relationships, to SHARE cultural and educational experiences, and to INSPIRE economic growth within our community.Join us for Sunday, September 18,

Join us for Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Williamson County Public Library.

This event is presented by Charles Li. The presentation will also include a taste of authentic Chinese culinary delights from Lucky Bamboo Restaurant, China Town Restaurant, and Corner Asian Bistro. Come learn about Chinese culture! Information will be presented on the people, traditions and folklore of China.

Williamson County Fair Recap

8:43 pm | Wednesday, Sep 14th
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Crowds young and old flocked to the AgExpo Park from August 5-13 for the 2016 Williamson County Fair, with the “Barnyard Mardi Gras” themed event offering something for everyone. And while a rainy August provided some logistical challenges, the 12th annual Fair set a number of records while making a significant impact on the community.

 

The Fair proved to be successful in many ways again this year, including a considerable increase in the number of competitive entries. With over 6,600 total entries across multiple categories, 43 winners placed in the top three and earned a cash premium. Categories including the quilt, sheep and cattle shows saw a record number of entries, with over 300 head of each shown as part of the livestock exhibits.

 

Despite battling rain and the forecast of bad weather, attendance remained relatively steady.

 

“Our traffic counts were down a bit due to the rain and forecast of rain throughout the Fair, but we’re very pleased with the event overall,” Fair Board Chairman Rogers Anderson said. “Every year, we try to introduce new features, and adding the online sales and accepting credit cards at the gates made the experience that much more convenient for our visitors. New and expanded partnerships with Page, Ravenwood and Centennial high schools helped the ticket booths, ride entries and parking system run smoothly.

 

“We especially want to thank our volunteers, vendors, the business community and an army of volunteers for their generous support of the Fair. Another way we highlight giving back to the community is our annual ‘Pay It Forward Night, Benefitting GraceWorks Ministries,’” Anderson said.  “Williamson County residents and visitors brought in over 6,000 pounds of donations, including various canned foods and household items, such as diapers and laundry detergent. These donations helped to fill a huge need for GraceWorks and the people they serve. Once again, the willingness of our Fair visitors to step up and support their neighbors reminds us of what a special place we live in.”

 

GraceWorks Food Pantry Coordinator Phil Rutledge said the donations are much needed, particularly at this time of year.

“This will fill in many of the empty shelves we have and allow us to provide nutritious baskets of food to our neighbors in need,” Rutledge said.

 

The Williamson County Fair will return August 4-12, 2017 and Anderson said the Fair Board is looking for community-minded individuals who might have a desire to serve in a leadership capacity.

 

“Many of our committee chairs have been fulfilling their roles for the past 12 years, and we welcome folks who want to become more involved as an event chairman in a number of different areas,” Anderson said.
For more information, visit www.williamsoncountyfair.org.

Homes Sales, Prices Remain High in July for Williamson County Housing Market

2:57 pm | Monday, Aug 22nd
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Desirability of community keeps market active despite rise in median sales price Williamson County’s housing market experienced record-high sales activity in July 2016. The total number of closed home sales for the month was 612, an increase of 1.3 percent from the same period last year. This represents a new record-high total of home sales for the month of July, eclipsing the previous monthly high of 604 in July 2015.

The median sales price for a single-family home rose 9.1 percent to $452,706 in July 2016 from $415,000 for the same period last year. Year-to-date home sales in Williams on County are 3,265, representing a 3.2 percent increase over the 3,164 closings for the same period last year.
“With a thriving economy, active job market, strong school system and low crime rates, the desirability for homeownership in Williamson County remains extremely high,” said David Logan, President of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS®. “Confidence in our community continues to draw buyers to Williamson County and that has kept our residential market very active despite higher median sales prices.”
“At the start of 2016’s third quarter, it is clear the real estate market in Williamson County is healthy and growing. The high number of pending sales is a solid indication the positive market trends should continue,” added Logan.
Total available residential inventory in Williamson County stood at 1,744 units at the end of July, indicating less than a three-months supply of available homes. A six-month supply is considered to be a balanced market. For the month of July, available inventory declined for both single-family homes and condominiums. Single-family home inventory declined 5.2 percent from 1,799 in 2015 to 1,705 listed homes in 2016, while condo inventory fell 26.6 percent from 94 in 2015 to 69 listings in 2016.
“Throughout the summer, we’ve seen a steady decline in inventory matched by consistent growth in prices as buyer demand for homes in Williamson County remains high,” said Logan. “The level of available homes in our market has created a sense of urgency among some buyers, which has led to multiple offer situations that are benefiting sellers in the form of higher home values and steady price appreciation.”
“REALTORS® would love to see more single family homes ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 develop in our community,” acknowledged Logan.
“For the first-time home buyer, families with young school-aged children and future residents with incomes in the $50,000 to $75,000 range, single-family homes are extremely necessary to continue to contribute to the vibrant community that is Williamson County.”

Family Food & Film Nite

2:49 pm | Monday, Aug 22nd
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The parking lot at the Longview Recreation Center in Spring Hill will become a drive-in movie on Saturday, August 27 for the first annual Family Food & Film Nite.  Enjoy a night of free fun watching “Inside Out” while you feast on awesome eats from food trucks including Padrino’s Pops, Et Voila Bistro & Bakery and D’s Kettle Corn (cost incurred for all concessions). Watch the movie from your vehicle (limited) or on the lawn (bring your own chairs or blankets).

 

Family Food & Film Nite will be from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk.  The Longview Recreation Center at Spring Hill is located at 2909 Commonwealth Dr.

No reservations are needed for this community event. For more information, call (615) 302-0971, ext. 2214.

 

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; following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or Instagram at @willcoparksandrec or on Pinterest or YouTube.

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