Franklin gathers to celebrate independence
Published 9:40 pm Monday, July 17, 2023
A group takes in the fireworks at Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration, and they were joined by many, many more people down the street at Barrett’s Landing Park and in the surrounding parking lots. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Jim Anderson poses next to his 1978 Ford F-150 that has been in his family for 44 years. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Lenwood Freeman gives a thumbs up as he presents his 2023 Chevrolet Corvette. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left, Bobby Lester, Linda Lester, David Lester, Megan Lester and Kyson Lester pause for a photo on South Main Street, which was closed off during part of Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Miguel StaMaria relaxes in his 2022 Polaris Slingshot with Susan StaMaria at the Franklin Cruise-In that was part of the city’s Fourth of July event. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Greeting the camera with smiles during Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration are, from left, Maria Diaz, Veronica Villanueva and Nathan Villanueva. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Getting a photo with the “Bumblebee” car from “Transformers” are, from left, Cheryl Simpson, J.C. White and Kelsi White. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton County Sheriff Josh A. Wyche Sr. joins Craig Reid for a photo during Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Billy Piersa showcases his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible that he has owned since 1985. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Raiford Baker stands for a photo with his 1963 ½ Ford Galaxie 500 XL that he has owned for about one-and-a-half years. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Resting on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Transformers Special Edition that Roy “Buddy” Butler was presenting at the Franklin Cruise-In on Wednesday, June 28, is a similar, miniaturized version of the vehicle. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Roy “Buddy” Butler gave those attending Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration a taste of the movies by bringing his 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Transformers Special Edition. The model was used to play the character of “Bumblebee” in a “Transformers” film. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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Downtown Franklin was the place to be Wednesday, June 28, as the city and Blackwater Community Events co-hosted Franklin’s 2023 Independence Day Celebration, which drew a large crowd to see classic cars, hear good music, eat free food and take in impressive fireworks.
Remarkable specialty vehicles lined South Main Street for a stretch and populated the city parking lot at the corner of South Main Street and East 1st Avenue in front of the fire station for the weekly Franklin Cruise-In. The cruise-in’s organizer, Mike Smith, estimated that well more than 125 specialty vehicles were on hand.
The Franklin Farmers Market operated just down the street, The Franklin Experience Inc. provided free hot dogs and watermelon while supplies lasted, and The Embers brought Barrett’s Landing to life later on in the evening, leading all the way up to the fireworks.
Franklin City Manager Amanda C. Jarratt said, “The City of Franklin Independence Day Celebration was a smashing success and wonderful kickoff to the holiday weekend. We are thankful to the various financial sponsors, volunteers and city employees that made the event possible. We had wonderful attendance at the Franklin Cruise-In, The Embers concert and the fireworks display. We look forward to next year’s celebration.”
“I was really impressed with the turnout,” Franklin Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchins said. “It was so many people. It was just awesome to see everybody come together.”
“As I sat back and I looked around at everybody, it was kind of a reminder to me as to why people do what they do,” he added. “Like myself being the mayor, as I looked around, it just gave me a good feeling to see the support of so many people out there, and I feel like good things are happening. So it’s not just about the celebration of the Fourth of July, but every day is a gift and a special occasion, so we have to just celebrate all things.”
He noted that it takes a lot of people to make the Independence Day Celebration happen.
“You’ve got the Franklin Cruise-In, you’ve got The Franklin Experience, all the staff members, all the sponsors that put up (funding), police, fire, city manager, City Council and all the volunteers — it’s just a big group effort,” he said.
Weather permitting, the Franklin Cruise-In is held every Wednesday evening from spring through early fall, and organizers of the Independence Day Celebration wanted to pair the cruise-in with the celebration but did not want to hold the celebration Wednesday, July 5, after the holiday was actually over. This prompted the Fourth of July event to come six days early this year.
“That was the biggest reason this year and getting the booking from the fireworks people to coordinate with what we can do,” Cutchins said, referring to the early date for the event. “But next year I feel like it will be a lot closer to the fourth, so a possibility might be the third. We’re going to work on it and see what we can do.”
Cutchins said he and fellow organizers wondered if the early nature of the celebration this year was going to affect attendance in a negative way, “but obviously it did not.”
