I remember that very first Main Street Festival, back in the spring of 1984. The bright balloons and Pepsi trailers with the little paper cups of icy fountain drinks, the music and vendors lining the streets with their arts and crafts… these visions are still so distinctly painted in my mind.
Just like the years I spent raising my own children in downtown Franklin—both now in college—the bounce houses, petting zoos, face painters, and kettle corn are all indelible memories.
And while the number of booths and the crowd sizes are bigger than they were years ago, the essence of the Main Street Festival remains the same: small-town America as it should be.
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Franklin has become known for its street festivals—Pumpkinfest and Dickens of a Christmas are holiday traditions like no other—but the Main Street Festival is the granddaddy of them all. Presented by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and typically held the last full weekend in April, the heart of downtown Franklin is closed to vehicular traffic from First to Fifth Avenues.
Up and down Main Street, around the Public Square, and along adjacent blocks, 150+ artisans and curated vendors ply their wares from pop-up tent booths. Here, you’ll find everything from boutique clothing to handmade soaps, turned wood and fired pottery, fine art framed for purchase, birdhouses and whirligigs and whatever else you might imagine. There’s blacksmith and leather work, needlepoint and tie dye, dog treats and beef jerky. You get the picture—a lagniappe of color and intrigue, perfect for a sunshine stroll.
Then there’s the food, with dozens of food and beverage purveyors on hand. Ace’s Kettle Korn is always a multisensory staple, with their giant pot constantly stirring out the addictively sweet and salty popped kernels. Other mainstays include Buffalo Bill’s Sausage on a Stick, Ellie’s Old Fashioned Donuts, and the refillable, copper-colored steins of root beer at Wild Bill’s Soda. Whether you’re after pizza or barbecue, street tacos or lobster rolls, hot dogs or ice cream, you’re bound to find what you’re craving.
In the entertainment department, families love the KidZone. Age-appropriate games (think inflatable basketball, ball crawls, and other carnival favorites), hands-on crafts, face painting, and other fun activities are all there waiting. And for the fur children, PetZone offers a fenced-in play area, a watering station, vendors featuring pet products, and even animals for adoption from the Williamson County Animal Center.
For mom and dad, the Beer Garden and Whiskey Lounge on the Square are a respite, as well as the place to sample authentic beers from Bavarian Bierhaus and spirits from Leiper’s Fork Distillery. Meanwhile, bands and performances run back-to-back on the Main Stage. In fact, music can be found spread across the festival, on the Acoustic Stage and activations throughout. Don’t be surprised to walk up on a world-class bluegrass band playing in the back of an old pickup truck.
And on Spring Street, by St. Philip Catholic Church, at any given time, you’re liable to see a mural being painted, a sidewalk chalk artist at work, and interactive art-centric displays and games being enjoyed by young and old. There, throughout the weekend, the Danza Azteca Quetzalli troupe showcases the colorful tradition of Mexican folkloric dance, complete with elaborate headdresses and pulsing drums.
On top of it all, the celebrated merchants and restaurants that call downtown Franklin home every day are open for business, with many offering weekend specials, expanded seating areas, and other fun surprises for Festival days.
Pro tip: The ca. 1937 Franklin Theatre is an excellent place to cool off and relax for a moment. Concessions are open, volunteers offer tours, and cartoons are playing on the big screen. Plus this year, the Atlanta Braves caravan will be out front, with posters, giveaways, and more.
Four decades later, I still look forward to Main Street Festival. Our little town has grown into a global destination, and this weekend promises to be a big one. Be sure to plan ahead for parking, and consider utilizing Franklin Transit shuttles for $1 a ride from Franklin High School and The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. Check williamsonheritage.org for details.
The 42nd Annual Main Street Festival will be held April 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
