Perhaps second only to Christmas (if it’s second at all), the Fourth of July is the best family holiday of the year—so of course, you want to go somewhere to have fun for the whole family, the whole day!
Franklin, North Carolina is the place to be for Independence Day, because we don’t miss an opportunity for everyone, from kids to great-grandparents, to have a great time. Let’s go through the schedule of events!
The Parade, Starring You!
Yep, you read that right! While you go most places to see a parade, we actually invite you to participate, no matter where you’re from! There’s no registration required; just deck out in red, white and blue and join up with the rest of the parade around 9:30. You’ll get to march with patriotic pride through Main Street and on to Entegra Bank—and then you’re ready to explore our downtown area once you’re finished around 10:30!
Little Mr. & Miss Firecracker Contest
If you have a little firecracker in your family, this is their time to shine (even more than usual, that is). The Little Mr. & Miss Firecracker Contest is for kids ages 3 to 6, and the winners will be selected based on how patriotic their costume is and how wittily they answer one question. No registration is required! Just meet us at the gazebo on Main Street at 10:30.
The Patriotic Pet Contest
We can’t leave out the pets! If your fur baby is sporting some red, white, and WOOF, we’d love to see them strut their stuff in our Patriotic Pet contest. We’ll start directly after the Little Mr. & Miss Firecracker Contest at the gazebo, so if you think you’re up to the cuteness of sassy kids and decked out pups, stick around for both! Again, no registration is required.
And don’t forget—we have plenty of other entertainment while the contests are in full swing! Check out the FREE Kids Zone with inflatables until noon and enjoy Free Watermelon & Popcorn (as long as it lasts, of course).
Lunch and Shopping Downtown
Once the main festivities are wrapped up at noon, the fun goes on! Our downtown merchants and restaurants will be open, so if all the festivities work up your appetite, there are plenty of options to choose from for lunch. After you’ve filled up, be sure to do some window shopping and stop in for a cozy small business experience no matter where you stop.
Pre-fireworks Party at Veteran’s Memorial Park
Following your Main Street excursions, hop back in the car and head over to the Macon County Veteran’s Memorial Park at 3:00 for some pre-fireworks fun! There will be food, games, a Kid’s Fun Land, entertainment, and a cornhole tournament to pass away the time until dark. Donations are accepted and appreciated at the gate!
Fireworks!
This is it—the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Once the sun settles behind our beautiful blue-ridge mountains, the light show skyrockets into a breathtaking display over the baseball field in the Macon County Rec Park, fully visible from the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Break out your picnic blankets and lay back as the glittering explosions take your breath away.
Oh, and don’t forget: We provide free shuttle services from Franklin High School beginning at 5 pm until after the fireworks display, so if you can’t park near the rec center, you don’t have to miss out on the fun!
For more information on the day’s activities, feel free to contact our Chamber of Commerce at 828-524-3161. We can’t wait to see you and your family in Franklin for the Fourth of July!
