Festival fever is hitting historic downtown Franklin this weekend as the Main Street Festival gears up to deliver a smorgasbord of arts, crafts, and live entertainment guaranteed to draw crowds. Slated for Saturday and Sunday, the festival, which is produced by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, promises over 150 arts and crafts vendors peppered along the main drag. The Williamson Herald reports a lineup overflowing with more than 30 food and drink options and live performances spread across four stages, from folk bands to dance troupes.
With its annual draw of over 120,000 visitors, the festival's billing as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society hardly seems an exaggeration. Beyond the bustling vendor booths, festival-goers can escape to the PetZone, a pet-friendly enclave featuring a turfed play area and adoption opportunities, "a Signature Pop Up Turf Dog Park to Play With Your Animal in a Fenced in Area, a Complimentary Treat Tasting Table," according to AARP Local. The fest provides a pet oasis amidst the hubbub, with facilities sponsored by Petsense by Tractor Supply.
Foodies and music lovers alike have their palates and playlists catered to with an array of culinary offerings and musical acts. Speaking to the enhanced food experience, attendees can anticipate culinary delights ranging from traditional festival fare to gourmet snacks. Meanwhile, Nissan-sponsored main stage to acoustic corners will vibe to the sounds of local and regional musicians, ensuring the beats keep flowing all day long. NewsChannel5 has highlighted the importance of a good parking strategy, pointing to street parking and several downtown garages as the prime real estate in the battle for a spot, a hot tip for anyone looking to swoop in on the festive action.
Revelers can rest assured that the downtown merchants are joining in the festivities as well, with special offers and promotions adding to the merry atmosphere. Kick-off is at 10 a.m. on both days, ending at 6 p.m., giving visitors plenty of time to soak in the artisanal crafts, savor the eats, and groove to the eclectic sounds of the festival, as stated by The Williamson Herald. If you're planning on heading down, remember the old adage: the early bird catches the worm, or in this case, the best parking spot.