Town of Franklin Offices Closed for Thanksgiving and Social District Suspended Beginning at 5:00 p.m. – November 30

Franklin Holiday Closing - Thanksgiving

The Town of Franklin offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving, in accordance with the North Carolina State Holiday Schedule. The town offices will re-open on a regular schedule on Monday, December 2.

Social District Suspended Beginning at 5:00 p.m. – November 30

The Franklin Town Council voted at their September 3 regular meeting to suspend the Social District beginning at 5:00 p.m. on November 30, 2024 for the first night of the Winter Wonderland celebration. “The majority of the activities occur on the Gazebo Square (tree lighting, photo ops, service at the Nativity), and it would be difficult to enforce due to the number of people in a concentrated area. Also, none of the downtown squares are included in the social district,” said Amie Owens, Town Manager. “Individuals can still go into restaurants to have an adult beverage; they simply cannot carry it out. Participating ABC Permittees have been informed of the suspension of the social district during this event and been directed that no cups can be sold after 4:30 p.m. on that date,” Owens added. Main Street and the connecting streets will be closed beginning at 4:00 p.m. with festivities beginning at 5:00 p.m. with Santa, roaming characters and music. The tree lighting will be at 7:00 p.m. with a candlelight service to follow. Streets will re-open at 9:00 p.m.

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Town of Franklin Welcomes Holiday Season with Winter Wonderland

**Editor's Note** The Annual Candlelight Service at the Nativity Scene will take place immediately after the tree lighting ceremony. 

PRESS RELEASE (11-20-2024)

TOWN OF FRANKLIN

(Franklin, NC) Welcome the holiday season with the Town of Franklin during Winter Wonderland, a two-night event held in downtown Franklin on consecutive Saturdays, November 30th and December 7th from 5:00 to 8:00 each evening.

“This year the Town staff has put together two distinctly different nights sure to be enjoyed by everyone,” said Town Manager Amie Owens. “The first night will be more traditional with the second night having a winter festival feel.”

The first night of Winter Wonderland will include free carriage rides, live sounds of the season from the group Generations with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Following will be a merchant sponsored candlelight service for those that wish to participate.

“The tree lighting ceremony is sure to be very special this year as we will have Judie Lau, surviving spouse of Deputy Jim Lau, officially lighting the tree for the town,” said Owens. “What a fitting way to honor Jim and his many years of service to the communities he served.”

On December 7^th, many new activities are in store for those attending. There will be free old-fashioned hayrides, free axe throwing that adults and kids are sure to enjoy, and beginning at 7:00 p.m. the Town will present a free movie, Elf, outdoors in the lower-level parking lot of Franklin Town Hall.

In addition, there will be many food and adult beverage vendors as the Town’s Social District will be in effect. Included are Ben's Backdraft BBQ, Thai Spice, Lazy Hiker, Slanted Window, and Red's Lemonade, just to name a few.

At Rankin Square, Macon Early College will be offering free letters to Santa, Read to Me will be handing out books and much more.

Of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from the Jolly Ole Elf himself, Santa Claus! Santa will be out on the streets and visiting merchants spreading holiday cheer from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. both nights of Winter Wonderland.

Filling your holiday gift list will be easy as many downtown merchants will also be open late offering plenty of great gift ideas for the holidays.

Remember that Saturday, November 30th is also Small Business Saturday. This initiative, backed by American Express, shifts the focus from Black Friday and Cyber Monday to supporting small, local businesses. The Town of Franklin is proud to again be a Neighborhood Champion of Small Business Saturday.

“The holiday décor throughout downtown Franklin will be enhanced again this year with many different photo opportunities,” said Town Manager Amie Owens. “These holiday decorations are sure to brighten your holidays and can be enjoyed until a few days after the New Year.”

“The Town of Franklin has worked hard to create an event that celebrates not only the holidays but the spirit of our small town. This is a great family event, and we look forward to seeing familiar faces and visitors from all over the area here in Franklin, for Winter Wonderland.” said Owens.

As a reminder, Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic both nights of Winter Wonderland with parking along Main Street closing at 4:00 p.m. Plenty of free parking is located throughout the downtown area and detours will be clearly marked related to street closures.

“This event has become a favorite part of holiday traditions for both visitors and locals alike,” said Mayor Jack Horton. “The Town staff has put together a great event that truly celebrates the spirit of the season and can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Winter Wonderland is presented by the Town of Franklin.  

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Operation Christmas Child Collection Week November 18-25, 2024

Starting Monday, Nov. 18th, hundreds of local Operation Christmas Child volunteers will transform empty shoeboxes—filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—into gifts of hope. 

Families, churches, and other groups in Macon County can drop-off their shoebox gifts at 2 locations: Holly Springs Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Highlands.  National Collection Week, runs from Nov. 18-25.  

For more information and a list of other area drop-off locations and times in your area, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. 

Learn other ways you can help at Samaritans Purse [LINK]

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10th Annual Cowee Christmas

PRESS RELEASE (11-13-2024)

COWEE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND HERITAGE

On December 7, 2024, the 10th Annual Cowee Christmas will be held at Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center at 51 Cowee School Drive. Beginning at 10 a.m.and running until 3 p.m., families and shoppers will be able to enjoy activities and vendors inside the school.

This annual event began as free holiday crafts for children and was held at the Rec Park over twenty years ago. It moved to the Cooperative Extension and then to the Rickman Store. It quickly outgrew the space at the store and was moved to Cowee School according to Claire Suminski who has been the driving force behind the event. The school gave a lot of space in the auditorium for children’s crafts and then room throughout the school to add local craftsmen. “We are grateful to Winding Stair Farm and Kelly Penland with Bald Head Realty for their sponsorship of this event. It is a great time for families and friends to enjoy the festivities of the season all under one roof,” commented Suminski.

“There is an army of volunteers who make Cowee Christmas possible and successful”, said Laura Brooks, executive director of the school. “We have our regular volunteers who help throughout the year and then Job Corps and special Cowee Christmas volunteers who love participating in the fun.”

The children’s activities include evergreen swag making, cookie decorating, face painting and other holiday related fun. There will be a visit from Santa Claus at 11:00 He will be escorted by the Cowee Volunteer Fire Department and the Dance Arts Co-Op “elves” will be on hand to liven up the spirits of everyone involved.

This year 39 local vendors will be on site. There will be a broad range of items for sale including wood crafts, pottery, jewelry, crochet, homemade breads, miniature houses and Appalachian art. Many have participated in the past years and there will be some new faces this year. Laura Craig with Shade Tree Farms has been a vendor for over five years. “I keep coming back because I love the welcoming atmosphere and that is is family oriented,” said Craig.

The school has five full time resident artists and their studios will be open as well. This includes Alarka Expeditions, Carol Conti Studio, Carolina Artsworks, Cowee Textiles, and the Cowee Pottery School. The Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild will be displaying over 20 locally made quilts in the main hallway. The guild will also be selling different fabric arts.

Another fun tradition is the Balsam Bee going on its seventh year. Upon entering the school, you are greeted by the aroma of Frasier Fir swags and these pillows filled with ground and sifted needles from balsam trees. A hand drawn design by local artist Dennis Deitz is on the pillow.

This year's pillow design will feature an owl and is sponsored by Smoky Sew Company. To honor the heritage of our community, Nancy Pheasant, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, will be on hand for storytelling. Her stories are entertaining and include life lessons through her wonderful way with words. Children and adults will be captivated by the retelling of ancient stories.

Also throughout the day local musicians will perform on the stage in the auditorium and then will move around in the school. “We are so excited to have Wyatt Duvall, Lady and the Tramps, The White Sisters and Richard Tichich and Ann Lauder providing entertainment for our shoppers,” commented Suminski.

Shopping and crafts can work up an appetite and Chef Donnie Bishop will be back with his hot soup lunch. The ”Frasier Fir Cafe’” will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Three soups will be served including a vegan vegetable option. Cost of the lunch will be $10 per person. Brooks suggests following Cowee School on Facebook and Instagram to get more information on the vendors and the event schedule. “We don’t want anyone missing Santa Claus!” The Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center is a non-profit organization. The center is open for ongoing classes with the resident artists, concerts, speaker series and other events. Cowee Christmas is the largest event for the school. It is located at 51 Cowee School Drive right off the Bryson City Road.

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Published at 1.51pm on Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Franklin Chamber of Commerce Announces 2024 Christmas Parade Plans and Grand Marshal

Franklin’s Annual Christmas Parade Held Thanksgiving Weekend
(photo provided)

PRESS RELEASE (10-23-2024)
FRANKLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FRANKLIN, NC -- Here comes Santa! The Franklin Chamber of Commerce announces plans are underway for this year’s Annual Christmas Parade which will officially ring in the holiday season. The celebration will be held Sunday, December 1, beginning at 3:00 pm. Entries will line up along Church Street behind the Courthouse. The route will begin by pulling out on the top of Town Hill beside Town Hall. The route will proceed down Main Street turning left at the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company onto Porter Street. Then turn left onto Palmer Street. The route will end at the intersection of the Highlands Road and Main Street. We are pleased to honor Derek Roland, Macon County’s departing County Manager, as this year’s Grand Marshal. Roland has served as County Manager for the past 11 years beginning his tenure at 28 years old. While County Manager, Roland lead the county by completing $150 million in capital improvements, rebuilding the county’s reserve fund, increasing county employee’s salaries to be competitive with surrounding communities, all without increasing Macon County’s tax rate. Roland considers one of his greatest accomplishments as County Manager was to help stabilize the area’s workforce. Thank you, Derek, for your service to Macon County and best of luck in your new venture. Parade participants will again be able to have folks walk beside their float/entry handing out candy. No candy can be thrown from a moving vehicle. In addition, all horses must wear a manure bag/horse diaper.

Registration is required and entry forms can be picked up and returned to the Chamber office located at 98 Hyatt Road. Deadline for entry is Wednesday, November 27 by 5 pm. Please note the Chamber will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, November 28 & 29. Commercial Floats are available to rent by calling Diane at the Franklin Chamber. For additional information, contact the Franklin Chamber of Commerce by calling 828-524-3161.

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