Franklin events reflect vibrance of spring
Published 8:00 am Friday, May 10, 2024
From left, Alicia Peters, James Pekala and Preston Peters hold on as they fly through the air on the Cliff Hanger ride at the Franklin Fun Fair Carnival located along Armory Drive in front of Walmart on Saturday, April 20. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Bill Peters and Debra Peters watch as members of their family fly through the air on the Cliff Hanger ride at the Franklin Fun Fair Carnival. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Andrew Casper is jubilant as he flies to the bottom of the slide at the Franklin Fun Fair Carnival on Saturday, April 20. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pausing for a photo on Main Street during the Franklin Spring Fest are, from left, Willie Turner, Mya Williams, Qiana Turner and Madison Turner. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From front to back, Bentley Bailey, April King and Kristi Connor enjoy a stroll through the Franklin Spring Fest on Saturday afternoon, April 20. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are, from left, Jayce Martin, Ty Satchell and Angie Satchell. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are Cameron Grassman and T.J. Grassman. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are Beth Turner, left, and Cindy Council. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left are A’mari Stokley, Kenyon Freeman, Sumayah Freeman and Trinity Freeman. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left, Tim Parrish, Russ Biss and Edward Coggsdale represent The Gideons International at the Franklin Spring Fest. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left are Dejon Jenkins, Taylor Jenkins and Catherine Robinson. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured at the Franklin Spring Fest are, from left, Zymari Rawles, Jai Brown and Zion Brown. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Adrianna Casper records her daughter Leighla Casper as she flies down the slide. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left are Janey Whitehouse, Kayla Whitehouse and Henry Whitehouse VII. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are, from left, front row, Brooklyn Schwartz, Pacino Jackson; back row, Joyce Joyner, Sophia Longoria, Ginairo Jackson and Reina Jackson. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left are Nathaly Romero, Magly Romero and Mayra Romero. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are Melanie Utley and Leah Utley. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are Valeria Combs and Michael Combs. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are, from left, front row, Khy’laia Johnson, Travian Eley; back row, Tony Harris, Aletha Harris and Shadisha Anderson. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pictured are, from left, in front, Avery Carr; back row, David Poley, Pat Poley, Sandy Miller and Scott Miller. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
City staff and elected officials were in agreement that the 2024 Franklin Spring Fest and Franklin Fun Fair Carnival were unqualified successes.
Franklin Director of Tourism A’Risha Jones described Saturday, April 20, as “a fantastic day” for the Spring Fest and the Franklin Farmers Market’s seasonal grand opening. Both events took place along Main Street in downtown Franklin.
Jones noted that an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 patrons attended the festival.
“The Spring Fest and Farmer’s Market buzzed with energy and excitement from farm-fresh produce to local crafts and the downtown businesses,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day filled with laughter, music and community spirit. Your support made this event a resounding success!”
Interim Franklin City Manager Darlene Burcham reported during the Monday, April 22, City Council meeting that there were 123 vendors participating in the festival, and 14 vendors populated the Franklin Farmers Market.
Jones noted that the city enjoyed having the Richmond-based Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ participation in the Franklin Spring Fest via the VMFA on the Road Artmobile. The artmobile drew 300 visitors.
“(The VMFA’s) visit was a testament to the power of art to unite and uplift, leaving an indelible mark on all who attended,” Jones said.
During the April 22 council meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Ray Smith said, “I’d like to mention how well the (festival) went over and the hard work that the staff has put into this undertaking, … and it appeared to be very successful. I know I was there downtown all day, and a lot of people participated, a lot of children. So congratulations to your staff.”
Burcham said, “I appreciate the comments about the staff, because they really do give it their all for those kinds of events, and that’s an extra day of the week for them to work, because they work Monday-Friday and then have to come in early and work late on that Saturday in order to make that a successful event.”
Ward 4 Councilman Dr. Linwood Johnson also noted that the Spring Fest was a success.
“I had a chance to speak with a lot of the vendors, and they were saying they’re coming also to the Fall Fest,” he said. “They look forward each year to doing that, and I think that that’s a good asset to our community, and it speaks well that we make that available for them, and they’re willing to come from different areas — Richmond, North Carolina and other areas — for our spring and fall festival. I think that’s a good thing.”
Jones also highlighted the Franklin Fun Fair Carnival as a notable source of excitement. The event, which ran from Thursday-Sunday, April 18-21, featured a variety of food options and carnival rides situated along Armory Drive in front of Walmart.
Burcham said, “I think they’ve already planned to come back next year. They did, I think, have a minor hiccup that they had to close early one day because of some issues, but that didn’t seem to deter the people that wanted to go and be there for that particular event.”
Franklin Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchins said he circled the town a few times on Saturday evening, going through the downtown area and down Armory Drive to observe the impact the events had on Franklin.
“I looked on Armory Drive, and there were cars wrapped around Wendy’s, they were wrapped around Dairy Queen, all the restaurants on that end were full, and so the fair brought a lot of people to Franklin,” he said. “And downtown, Saturday, was super busy, and Saturday night, the restaurant on Main Street, Serve Restaurant — it had one of the best nights it’s had this year. So it just goes to show you what bringing people to the community does. So shoutout to everybody that had a hand in that.”
Burcham said, “And some of those people may, after that visit, decide they want to become a part of this community, so that’s what’s so critical about activities that bring people into your city.”
