20th Annual Pumpkinfest
Historic Downtown Franklin’s 20th annual Pumpkinfest Saturday, Oct. 28, fills Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenues with all things fall-related–pumpkins, Halloween costumes, activities for children, two stages of entertainment, a chili cook-off, hayrides and fall arts/crafts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Main Street.
Presented by First Tennessee and Publix Supermarkets and produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, the Downtown Franklin Association and the City of Franklin, Pumpkinfest activities include The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off on Fourth Avenue North, the People’s Church children’s area on Third Avenue South, arts and crafts area around the Public Square and All Things Pumpkin stage on Main Street near Fifth Avenue.
Streets will be lined with festival food, kids in costumes and wonderful holiday and fall arts and crafts.
Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-Off.
The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off lets the public decide who makes the best chili in town. Their giant tent will be at the intersection of 4th Avenue South and Main Street and they will be offering chili tastings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $6 a tray with 2-ounce tastings from each competitor. Tasters get to vote for their favorite chili.
Local restaurants and community groups competing include:
-Thompson’s Station Grill
– Franklin Special School District
– Henpeck Market
– Mickey Roo’s Texas Barbecue
– Monell’s at Franklin’s Historic Jail
– Providence Farm
– Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant
– The Red Pony
– St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
– TMA Group—Franklin Trolleys
– SLC Homebuilding
Awards will be given in the categories of Best Chili, Best Booth Design, and People’s Choice.
On Fourth Avenue South, just opposite the chili tent, you can take a horse-drawn hayride for $1 person.
The People’s Church
The People’s Church provides a children’s carnival on 3rd Avenue South with lots of fun and free activities for kids from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be two moonwalk inflatables, rock slide, obstacle course, ponies, and lots of games. There will be an area for toddlers, “Preschool Park.” Face-painting, fashion nails and thumb-print art will be available and of course lots and lots of candy for all.
On the old Williamson County Courthouse stage on the Public Square there will be child-friendly entertainment from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. including puppet shows, music, and lots of great talent! Look for your favorite character roaming up and down to greet children and photo opportunities.
Around the Public Square
Fall and holiday arts, crafts & gift items fill the Public Square, along with treats from sponsors Publix SuperMarkets, First Tennessee, the Heritage Foundation and Williamson Medical Center. Some of the favorite artists from other downtown festivals, including charcoal portrait artist Bill Logan, will be at work near the monument. There’ll also be a great variety of potters, jewelers, sculptors, woodworkers and other crafters.
All Things Pumpkin
At the Five Points end of Main Street is the “All Things Pumpkin” area with another stage scheduled with music from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a costume contest from 3:30 to 5 p.m., and a final music act from 5 to 6 p.m.
Costume contestants may check-in prior to 3:30 p.m. at the All Things Pumpkin tent near Franklin Cinema and pay $1 entry fee. Contestants are in three categories by age: 0-5 years; 6-12 years and 13 and up. Cash prizes are awarded in each category of $25, $15 and $10 for first, second and third places.
Franklin’s Sister Cities Board will be showing The Great Pumpkin raised in Franklin’s Sister City of Carleton Place, Canada, and transported to Franklin by Carleton Place Mayor Paul Dumage. The public is invited to buy a $1 guess at the weight of the great gourd. The closest guess wins $100.
Children are invited to paint a pumpkin in this area to take home for $1.
Pumpkinfest is sponsored by First Tennessee, Publix Supermarkets, the City of Franklin, The People’s Church, Fox 17, MY30, CW58, Williamson A.M./The Tennessean, Battle Ground Academy, General’s Retreat, Williamson Medical Center, the Adam Group, Franklin Tomorrow and the Sister Cities Board of Franklin; and produced by the Heritage Foundation and the Downtown Franklin Association.
“Pumpkinfest is a great partnership of local organizations and companies that put together a really fun, fall, family-oriented event,” said Downtown Franklin Association president Ed Cagle.
Pumpkinfest is open to the public with free admission. For more information please call 591-8500 or visit www.historicfranklin.com.
