Pumpkinfest

Pumpkinfest

Historic Downtown Franklin’s Pumpkinfest presented by Bank of America celebrates everything that is great about fall on Main Street in a free festival from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Children’s activities and art and crafts booths close earlier at 6 p.m.

“Pumpkinfest is a fall tradition in Downtown Franklin that brings everyone out to enjoy our great American Main Street,” said Downtown Franklin Association President Andy Marshall. “From the tiniest child in their first Halloween costume to the world-class barbecue pit master, there’s something for everyone at this event.”

Activities include the following:

• A Memphis Barbecue Network-sanctioned barbeque contest, Franklin’s Battle of the BBQ, for professional and backyard teams. Public tastings of competition pulled pork and ribs available from 3-6 p.m. on Fourth Avenue South in the Heineys and Butts tent, presented by Heineken. Five samples of pulled pork are $5, ribs are $1 a bone. For more info, see www.franklinsbattleofthebbq.com
• More than 70 Arts and crafts booths featuring fall and holiday handmade and unique items will be around the Public Square and East Main Street to First Avenue from 10a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Children’s activities in a new location on Third Avenue North from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Some activities are free; some have a nominal charge, and include Franklin’s Sister City, Carleton Place, Canada, with the Great Pumpkin, pumpkin painting, free games with small prizes, inflatables and sports games.
• A stage of continuous free entertainment from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Main Street and Fifth Avenue, including a decades street party on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. For a schedule of acts, see www.historicfranklin.com
• The all-day Scare-a-Thon five-movie marathon at Franklin Theatre, 419 Main St. The day starts with Casper (PG) 10 a.m., Beetlejuice (PG) 1 p.m., Night of the Living Dead 3:30 p.m. (a free movie, not rated), Nightmare on Elm Street (R) 6 p.m., and The Exorcist (R) 8:30 p.m. Except of the free movie, all movie tickets are $5. For more information or to purchase tickets, see www.franklintheatre.com
• The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Fourth Avenue South, offering 10 samples for $5. The organization is also holding a  Vision Fair during Pumpkinfest at City Hall on the Public Square 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. to give residents an opportunity to have input into creating a shared vision for the future of Franklin.

For more information please call 615-591-8500 or visit www.historicfranklin.com.