Town of Franklin Announces July 4 th Celebration Details

PRESS RELEASE (06-13-2022)
TOWN OF FRANKLIN

Town of Franklin Announces July 4 th Celebration Details

(Franklin, NC) Franklin’s annual 4 th of July Celebration kicks off Monday, July 4 th with its traditional patriotic parade at 11:00 a.m.

“Franklin’s July 4 th celebration is a true, small town American experience. The Town Council and Employees are planning a Fourth that is open to everyone—veterans, children, residents, visitors, and even pets—to have the opportunity to take part in the parade and all activities as we celebrate our Nation’s 246th birthday. It is a celebration where everyone becomes a participant—not just a spectator,” said Mayor Jack Horton.

The activities begin with the parade lineup at 10:30 a.m. in the lower-level parking lot at Town Hall.

“Franklin hosts one of the few parades in the country that visitors can actually participate in,” said Amie Owens, Town Manager. “If you would like to be part of the parade, be in the lower parking lot of Town Hall at 10:30am for lineup.” Entrants can walk, drive or ride and are encouraged to don red, white, and blue. The same applies for pets.

The Parade will travel down Main Street, turn right on Iotla Street, and disband back at Town Hall.

“We are glad to bring back one of our July 4 th traditions in Franklin this year. Following the parade, we will be serving free cold watermelon as long as it lasts,” said Owens.

Also, after the parade, more free treats will be offered to those attending.

“New this year to the July 4 th event will be free Fireworks Popsicles from Carolina Ice Cream and free Kona Ice. These will be available to the first 200 in line following the parade.”

Other fun activities planned include free contests for youngsters and pets! The Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Contest is open to all girls and boys ages 3 to 6. It is patriotic in nature with entrants

judged on their patriotic attire and one simple question. No registration or entry fee is required for this family-friendly contest.

Following will be the Patriotic Pet Contest, so deck your pets out in red, white, and blue for this fun event.

Both events are free, and no preregistration is required. Just be at the gazebo stage at 11:30 for the contests.

Then around noon, live music will be on the stage at the Gazebo on the Square featuring the popular local band, Paradise 56. They’ll bring a variety of music for those attending including Rhythm & Blues and Reggae. Paradise 56 will perform until 2:00 p.m.

Activities will then take a breather as the Town of Franklin prepares for Fireworks Over Franklin produced by Hale Artificier, Inc., of Lexington, NC.

Fireworks Over Franklin is an all-aerial show that will feature hundreds of fireworks with over 250 shells in the grand finale alone.

A perimeter around the site will be secured and spectators will not be allowed to park or walk close to the launching site. Please note that any unauthorized vehicles in the safety zone will be towed.

“Plans are to have a test fireworks shell fired at 9:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. These test shells will help those who want to view the display determine if they might need to move to a different location for better viewing,” Owens said. “You will be able to view the display from many different locales in East Franklin and even from Town Hill.”

Prior to the fireworks display, the Town of Franklin will host a live radio broadcast on WFSC Radio beginning at 8:30 p.m. At 9:30 p.m. WFSC will air a patriotic soundtrack for the fireworks display that you will be able to enjoy, no matter where you are. Tune your radios to 104.9 FM for both the live broadcast and fireworks soundtrack.

“The Town of Franklin is certainly very pleased to host these events for our residents and visitors as we begin to return to normal during the pandemic,” Mayor Horton said.

For additional information call (828) 524-2516 or online at TownofFranklinNC.com or follow on Facebook @FranklinNCEvents.