Williamson County Chamber: Heritage Foundation Of Williamson County Announces Exciting 2021 Main Street Festival Details

Press release from Williamson County Chamber:

June 23, 2021

Free event July 17-18 to feature hundreds of artisans, crafts, food and entertainment experiences for families

FRANKLIN, TN (June 23, 2021) – The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, reveals plans for the much-anticipated 37th Annual Main Street Festival to be held July 17-18. One of the area’s largest family-friendly arts and crafts street festivals, this free-to-the-public event attracts tens of thousands of people to the Franklin historic district each year. This year’s signature Heritage Foundation event will be hosted by the Downtown Franklin Association, a division of the Heritage Foundation, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday July 17 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday July 18.

Thanks to the early commitment of the festival’s long-standing presenting sponsor, First Horizon, the foundation team has been working closely with the city and health guidelines to bring back many of the treasured experiences at Main Street Festival in a fun, safe and family-friendly way. Special consideration has been given to increased festival activity spacing, reduction of stages and large gathering spots, enhancements of large screens and mobile app promotions, and increased hand sanitization stations.

“Without the support of First Horizon and all of our corporate partners, bringing this beloved event back would not have been possible. We couldn’t be more excited to host this event to celebrate with our community after the challenges of 2020,” said Heritage Foundation CEO Bari Beasley.

Something Old and Something New for Festival Fans

More than 150 artisans and craftspeople will showcase their work giving festival goers access to shop and experience unique local, regional, national and even international crafts, products, foods and giftables. New this year will be a Fine Arts Gallery with top artisans showcasing works such as pottery, photography, hand-crafted jewelry and more.

Festival fans will find the return of many treasured experiences including the popular KidsZone presented by Grace Chapel featuring children’s activities, games, arts and crafts. Furry friends are also welcome with the return of Mutts on Main PetZone presented by MARS Petcare featuring pet photo stations, activities and promotions along with onsite pet adoptions through the Williamson County Animal Shelter.

The food area for the 2021 festival has expanded into two sections on 3rd Avenue N. and 2nd Avenue S. to allow for an enhanced food menu, increase in cold snacks and beverages, and expanded spacing between food stations. Festival goers will not only find their food favorites including fresh donuts, kettle corn, fried brussels sprouts, Kona Ice and Cousin’s Maine Lobster, but new food experiences including Loveless Café, 40 Below Joe and Jericho Coffee. Adult festival fans will not be disappointed with the return of the Beer Garden presented by Bavarian Bierhaus, and the Whiskey Lounge presented by Leiper’s Fork Distillery.

Although due to city health restrictions, Main Street Festival will not have a main stage for live entertainment this year, there will be pop-up style street performers and surprise entertainers throughout the weekend. All Downtown Franklin merchants will be open and celebrating with specials, features and promotions for enhanced shopping, dining and entertainment throughout the historic district. Shuttle service will be available from Harlinsdale Farm and Church of the City.

“We have been working hard behind the scenes to curate the best selection of vendors for this year’s Main Street Festival,” said Downtown Franklin Association’s Managing Director Liz Zinke. “Our goal was to bring back festival favorites but continue to expand on the excitement of bringing some new foods, artists, vendors and experiences to the mix.”

In addition to Main Street Festival presenting sponsor First Horizon, additional presenting sponsors include Mars Petcare, Grace Chapel, Bavarian Bierhaus and Leiper’s Fork Distillery. Major sponsors participating in the festival include All American Gutter, Anodyne, Armory Ranges, CUTCO, EPOCH, Gutter Helmet by Harry Helmet, Leaf Guard, Lifeogeny, Mason Chiropractic Health & Wellness, Nissan of Cool Springs / Hyundai of Cool Springs / Genesis of Cool Springs, My Second Home Pet Resort, National Dance Clubs, Parks Realty, Power Home Remodeling, Premier Fitness Source, SEMG Events, South Wind Apartments, Symphony TN, T-Mobile and Williamson Medical Center (EMS Partner).

Media sponsors include 92.9 MIX FM, 96.3 JACK FM, 97.1 KLOVE, CW 58, FOX 17, My TV 30 Nashville Scene, Williamson Herald and Your Williamson.

If you are interested in more information about being involved in Main Street Festival as a sponsor or volunteer, email Drew Allensworth at dallensworth@williamsonheritage.org. For additional information about the festival such as remote parking spots and performance schedules, visit www.williamsonheritage.org.

ABOUT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Since 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has been dedicated to preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic and cultural heritage as well as promoting the ongoing revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. Notable projects include The Franklin Theatre, Roper’s Knob, parts of the Franklin battlefield and the Old, Old Jail. The Foundation brings county history to about 3,000 school children each year through the Heritage Classroom program as well as walking tours of downtown Franklin. Events and festivals produced by the Heritage Foundation such as Main Street Festival, the Heritage Ball, Pumpkinfest and Dickens of a Christmas bring hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors to downtown Franklin each year. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre, the Downtown Franklin Association, and the organization’s newest division and current restoration project, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.williamsonheritage.org.

ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN ASSOCIATION

Established in 1984, the Downtown Franklin Association is the merchants’ association division of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN. It was created to aid in historic preservation and community vibrancy and helped spearhead the revitalization of Franklin’s historic downtown core. Using the Four-Pillar approach set forth by the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and in partnership with property owners, city and county government, local businesses and merchants in the Franklin, TN historic retail district, the DFA has helped create one of the nation’s Main Street success stories. For more information, visit www.downtownfranklintn.com.

This press release was produced by Williamson County Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.