FRANKLIN
The City of Franklin has the opportunity to host and be a part of a potential festival in the year 2017. Several people are coming together in hopes of creating an event, Blackwater River Fest, put on by Franklin City and Southampton and Isle of Wight counties.

The goal is to showcase what each of these localities has to offer to the rest of the state. If all goes as planned, this event would fall on Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30.

“There isn’t any other event around here during that time,” Scott Seddon of Franklin said.

Seddon, along with Stephanie Cowart of VFW Post 4411 and Ray Smith of Franklin Cruz In, came up with the idea and are helping to organize and make it happen.

“We hope this well be one of the best spring festivals in Hampton Roads,” Seddon added.

The idea is that Saturday, it would be held at Barrett’s Landing and the Boat Landing in downtown Franklin. Organizers are hoping to have a fishing tournament, 5K run/walk, bike tour, kayaks, cornhole tournaments, music, a wall climb, rubber duck race, cardboard boat race, local vendors and local artists.

On Sunday, the event would be held at the Franklin Airport. This day would include kite design and flying (first children who come get free kites), professional kite flying demonstrations, plane demonstrations, races for children, dunk booth, bounce house, local vendors, paper plane competition and music.

There will be a meeting this Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Fred’s Restaurant. There will be representatives from all three localities present. Anyone who has any ideas for the event or would like to be a volunteer, should plan to attend.