Pumpkinfest
24th Annual PumpkinFest!
The Town of Franklin presents the 24th Annual PumpkinFest
featuring the World Famous Pumpkin Roll • Saturday, October 17, 2020
Vendor Applications are now available for the 24th Annual PumpkinFest to be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020. Applications maybe be downloaded below and are in PDF format.
– Arts & Crafts Application Download (PDF)
– Food Vendor Application Download (PDF)
– Non-Profit Application Download (PDF)
Get ready to let the good times roll during Franklin, North Carolina’s 24th Annual PumpkinFest! This street festival and celebration of Autumn is pure familiy fun! Children and adults alike will have a blast taking part in traditional and some very non-traditional fall festivities during Western North Carolina’s premier autumn festival.
PumpkinFest rolls into action on Saturday, October 17th and Historic Downtown Franklin, North Carolina is full tilt with everything pumpkin. Bring your pumpkin (or purchase one downtown) and sign up early for the World Famous Pumpkin Roll. The Costume Parade and Contest is another highlight of the day as well as the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest. And don’t miss out on more than 80 vendors including mountain arts & crafts along with great food! Don’t miss our annual special attractions and more!. PumpkinFest runs from 9am to 4pm and is held rain or shine in Franklin, NC.
More information can be obtained by calling 828-524-2516 or drop us an email at [email protected]. You can also follow PumpkinFest on Facebook to keep posted on the latest information!
- Published in Festivals
6 reasons why nothing beats spending Fall in Franklin North Carolina
Fall in Franklin North Carolina is truly a sight to behold.
Here are 6 reasons why Fall in Franklin North Carolina is something you should not miss!
1) Experience the Wonders of Nature!
There is nothing quite like Fall in the mountains of Western North Carolina and Macon County has some of the best spots around to see the electric colors of the season.
2) Navigate the winding mountain highways.
Fewer sights are more remarkable than those found along U.S. 64 connecting Franklin and Highlands or those found along Wayah Road connecting Franklin and Nantahala.
3) Enjoy the last purely agricultural fair in North Carolina!
You might not find carnival rides and games at the annual Macon County Agricultural Fair, but as the last purely agricultural fair in the state, the annual event is nothing shy of a good time for the whole family.
4) Compete in the world famous Pumpkin Roll down Frogtown.
Its tough to pin down the best part of Franklin’s annual PumpkinFest. Who can chose between the Pumpkin Pie eating contest, the costume parade and contest down main street featuring the most darling princesses and adorable clowns, or the World Famous Pumpkin Roll that launches pumpkins 100 yards down Phillip Street’s steep incline. Whatever your vice, this annual Fall festival has a little taste of everything.
5) Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches
All Fall long local farmers such as Deal Farms have fresh picked harvests like apples and pumpkins and just when the cool crisp air begins to tingle your skin, the corn field is carved out in a maze for a fun day of adventure.
6) Race in the cool mountain air.
All year long Franklin has a busy schedule of foot races planned ranging from 80s themed 8ks to benefit for the Shriner’s Hospital to 5ks downs main street while sporting a kilt for the annual Father’s Day weekend Braveheart run, but there is just something about the Fall weather that makes races a little more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a longer distance run, check out the annual Conquer the Mountain half Marathon on November 7 or if you want to get funky, put on your best turkey costume and race along the Greenway for the annual Cold Turkey 5k on Thanksgiving morning.
Photos provided by Eric Haggart of Timeless Moments Imaging. Timeless Moments Imaging is Franklin, NC photographer specializing in weddings, engagements, family photos and stunning scenic portraits in and around Macon County.
- Published in About Franklin, Special Events
Treasures and Secrets
Calling Franklin, North Carolina the Gem of the Appalachians maybe a bit cliché, as the word play has been used far too many times in reference to her abundant mineral deposits; however, cliché aside, I’m in the camp believing she is the gem of the Appalachians. It’s not solely for her mineral offerings; in fact, those offerings pale in comparison to the true rarities, treasures and secrets that lie and have lain beneath the dark soil of Franklin, adding greatly to Franklin’s mystique and reputation. A fine example of Franklin’s being a vault of secrets occurred in the hot summer months of 1898. Attempting to beat the Southern heat, several teenagers were swimming in the Little Tennessee River, nearest the edge of the ancient Nikwasi Mound. One child called out, after careful examination of something he’d seen sticking out of the earthen bank along the river, “Guys, I think I’ve found a skull!” The other teens, with wide eyes, and having found some sticks to dig with, began digging around the alleged skull. After several hours, and after running home for shovels, the teens placed on display their finds. Three entire, and intact human skeletons. Two of the skeletons were nothing but bone; however, the third was still wrapped in a rotting garment of some type. Not only that, a portion of a leather strap still crossed the chest of the skeleton and a piece of what appeared to be a hat still clung to his boney forehead. More shocking still, upon the strap and the hat were two different pieces of metal, both with a still-visible, carved name.
“His name was Danyl Crayne!” One of the kids called out.
The skeletal remains were carefully locked away until the year 1919, when a collector purchased them. His research and the later research of others identified Crayne as having been a Lieutenant in the British Army during the French and Indian War era. He’d been pronounced missing in action, after telling his men that he alone was going to speak with the Cherokee chief at Nikwasi.
The scenes that played out in the 1760s during and after the bloody French and Indian War were often set in Franklin, and many natives and Europeans lost their lives along Franklin’s winding rivers and deep in her vast wilds.
About the author:
Gregg Clark is a native of Macon County, North Carolina. He holds a BA in Professional Writing and a Master’s Degree in teaching English. He’s currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Executive Leadership at Lincoln Memorial University. He teaches English and History at Macon Middle School and he and his wife, herself a third-grade teacher at Iotla Valley Elementary, own and operate Where Shadows Walk, Historic Ghost Tours of Western North Carolina. They have three wonderful children: Erika, Aaron and Shade. Clark currently operates tours in Franklin, Bryson City and Sylva, North Carolina. 2016 will find tours in Highlands and Waynesville as well.
- Published in About Franklin, Outdoor Activities
Franklin chef hosting cooking classes in August
Have you ever visited a restaurant and devoured such savory treats that you just had to meet the chef in hopes of stealing some of his secrets? Well, here is your chance!
Throughout August, Ken Naron, Master Chef at The Bowery, one of Main Street’s newest restaurants, will be hosting cooking classes at the Historic Cowee School, just a short drive from Franklin.
During the classes, you will get to learn some of the south’s greatest recipes handcrafted by Chef Ken Naron of The Bowery. Chef Ken will be firing up the kitchen every Tuesday evening during the month of August to serve up some delicious flavors from the Great Smoky Mountains to the swamps of Louisiana, all while using locally grown foods from the Cowee Farmers Market.
Chef Ken and his sous chef will be working individually with class participants to learn how to create each weekly recipe with food ingredients from the Cowee Farmers Market NC. Each week you will go with Chef Ken through the market, picking out the food ingredients you will need to create a southern classic. After you browse through the market for your meal supplies, you will then return to the Cowee School kitchen, where the real fun begins.
Once you finish your southern style meal, Chef Ken and his sous chef will then have you sit down and present to you your creation. Every student will receive a copy of each week’s recipe to be able to recreate the treats for their families and friends.
Cost for the class is $70 per class (includes all food) (Students are encouraged to sign up the week before each class: Example- 7/28 for 8/4 class) or you may purchase all 4 classes for $250 (includes all food for each class). For info about the series, please email: [email protected].
This blog was written by Dave Linn with Bringing It 2 Life Productions. Dave works to promote local events in and around the Franklin area.
- Published in About Franklin
Summer in Franklin
Now is the time to visit Franklin
Summers in Franklin are nothing short of extraordinary. From miles of winding hiking trails to conquer, to crisp, refreshing waterfalls to cool down in, the natural wonders of Macon County will never cease to amaze you.
August is a bustling time of year for Franklin, with outdoor adventure waiting to be vanquished and annual festivals full of mountain music and delicious treats just begging to be devoured. There are few things better in life than taking a break for the everyday under a shade tree along the Little Tennessee River. The second week in August is a special time in Franklin because its time for the annual Mountain High BBQ Festival filled with cooking competitions, car shows, and great southern tunes.
Let your senses come alive with a splash of traditional southern bbq specialties while you enjoy some good old fashion bluegrass. The Mountain High BBQ festival is just one of the unique treasures on the calendar for Franklin this summer, proving time and time again that this small western North Carolina town can pack a big punch of entertainment for people of all ages.
Before the bbq even has time to cool down, it will soon be time for the leaves perched atop the trees of Macon County to begin the ultimate color show for fall. Seemingly setting the mountains on fire with rich oranges and deep reds, as the leaves start to change colors in Franklin, you are able to experience the true beauty and unmatched dissipation of the change in seasons.
Whether you want to go off the grid along the Appalachian Trail, or go back to your childhood with some delectable southern cooking, right now is the time to drop what you are doing, and Discover Franklin.
- Published in About Franklin