Town of Franklin Fourth of July Celebration Returns Tuesday, July 4th

PRESS RELEASE (06-19-2023)
TOWN OF FRANKLIN INDEPENDENCE DAY ACTIVITIES

Town of Franklin Fourth of July Celebration Returns Tuesday, July 4th

(Franklin, NC) The Town of Franklin is pleased to announce plans for the annual Fourth of July Festivities and Fireworks Over Franklin.

The celebration kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4 th with our traditional patriotic parade. “Franklin’s July 4 th celebration is a true, small-town experience for all ages,” said Mayor Jack Horton. “The Town Council and Employees are planning a Fourth that is open to everyone —veterans, children, residents, visitors, and even pets have the opportunity to take part in the parade and all activities as we celebrate our Nation’s 247th birthday,” said Horton.

Please note that this year Main Street will be closed to traffic for the daytime festivities beginning at 10:00 a.m. There will be signage to direct you to parking in the downtown area. “Franklin hosts one of the few parades in the country that everyone 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 show their patriotic pride in red, white and blue.

This year, the Parade will leave Town Hall, travel down Main Street and disband at First Citizens Bank.

“Following the parade everyone can enjoy one of our July 4 th traditions in Franklin. The Town will be serving free watermelon and bottled water as long as it lasts,” said Owens. The Town of Franklin has worked to expand the July 4 th festivities and a food court will be featured this year on Iotla Street. Participating vendors will be Ben’s Backdraft Barbecue, Franklin’s Chick-fil-A, Kona Ice, and Sweet Caroline’s Ice Cream. Franklin Fire & Rescue will also be grilling hotdogs as a fundraiser for the department.

Other fun activities planned include free contests for youngsters and pets shortly after the parade ends! The Little Miss and 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. 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 following the parade for the contests.

Kids can also enjoy free inflatables and a water feature from Franklin Fire and Rescue to cool off on what is traditionally a warm day in the mountains. So, make sure they are dressed appropriately.

The Ruby Red Cheerleaders will also be performing near the Gazebo on the Square at one in the afternoon.

Activities will then take a breather as the Town of Franklin prepares for Fireworks Over Franklin. The display begins at 9:30 p.m. and will be held at 15 First Street on the Whitmire property in East Franklin located near the Highlands Road and East Main Street intersection. “We are working with a new company this year to produce our fireworks display,” said Owens. “Deep South Fireworks from the Macon, Georgia area has planned an incredible show featuring approximately 2,500 shots.”

If you’re wondering if you have a good vantage point to view the fireworks display, Owens said that test fireworks will be fired at 9:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. “You should be able to view the display from many different locales in East Franklin and even from Town Hill,” said Owens.

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.

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 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,” Mayor Horton said. “We certainly welcome everyone to enjoy this special celebration with us.”

For additional information call (828) 524-2516. Details are also available online at TownofFranklinNC.com or Facebook @FranklinNCEvents.