The Downtown Franklin Association is preparing for the city’s largest event of the year.

The Fall Festival, which will be held Friday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Oct. 2, in the past has brought in crowds of more than 15,000. Festival organizers estimate record-breaking attendance this year after returning to the traditional two-day format.

Friday night’s Block Party will feature Shaggin’ on the Beach with Jay Jenkins, and the main attraction will be The TFC Band. In years past, the fireworks have been incredible, and they are expected to be better this year.

Saturday will feature the traditional Street Scene. Main Street will be closed from Elm Street to Fourth Avenue, where craft and food vendors, street entertainment, and children’s activities and games will be featured. The Mustang Club of Tidewater will return with its annual car show.

Sponsors are sought for the festival. Five levels of sponsorships are available.

A Friendship sponsorship, for example, includes public recognition during the event and a ticket to the catered Sponsor Tent at the Block Party. The cost is $50.

A Silver sponsorship, which costs $500, also includes the business name and logo in all printed advertisements, a 4-foot by 10–foot banner on the perimeter fence Friday night, a 10- by 20-foot booth in the downtown on Saturday and six tickets to the catered Sponsor Tent.

A Gold sponsorship for $1,500 also includes radio ads to announce your company as a Gold sponsor, product display opportunity during the Friday night Block Party and eight tickets to the catered Sponsor Tent.

For more information, call Downtown Franklin Association at 562-6900. Friday, Sept. 10, is the deadline to sign up to be a sponsor.

• East Pavilion nursing home has had two intergenerational programs this summer with Young Leaders Club in Franklin, which is sponsored by the Atlas Group.

The first program involved 12 youth playing Bingo with residents.

The second activity was a summer dance party with snow cones and disc jockey Christian Pearson from Coast To Coast Entertainment.

GWEN ALBERS is managing editor of The Tidewater News. Her e-mail address is gwen.albers@tidewaternews.com.