Tree Lighting Festivities Kick Off the Holidays Thanksgiving Weekend

Festivities get underway Friday evening, November 25 at 7:00 on the square at the gazebo with a tree lighting ceremony as the Community Christmas Tree is lit to signal the beginning of the holiday celebration. “We will also have plenty of free hot cider and cookies for everyone to enjoy,” said Linda Schlott, Franklin Main Street Program Executive Director. “The holidays are a time for family and this celebration is a perfect outing for everyone to come out together and get in the holiday spirit.”

The Streets of Franklin Merchants Association will again this year sponsor a Candlelight Service following the tree lighting. Everyone who wishes is welcome to light a candle and join in the service.

Friday’s activities will be followed on Saturday by Cookies with Santa. “Area children are invited to come to the lower level of Franklin Town Hall to visit with Santa and enjoy some delicious cookies and cider,” Schlott continued. “It’s great fun to see the young faces light up with they get to meet Santa and enjoy spending some time with him.” Hours for Cookies with Santa are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Kids will also have the opportunity to write a letter to the jolly ole elf and put it in a special mailbox installed in front of Town Hall on Main Street. All letters will be personally answered by Santa. “We want to remind the young ones that Santa is very busy this time of year, so they need to be sure to include their return address with the letter. This way they can be sure to get a reply straight from the North Pole.”

Thanksgiving Weekend festivities conclude on Sunday with the Annual Franklin Christmas Parade which begins at 3:00 p.m. and travels through the streets of Downtown Franklin.

For more information on the tree lighting ceremony or Cookies with Santa, call Linda Schlott, Executive Director of the Franklin Main Street Program at (828) 524-2516.

Franklin’s All New Winter Wonderland Festival Debuts Friday, December 2

“In previous years, this festival had a Victorian feel,” said Linda Schlott, Franklin Main Street Program Executive Director. “This year, however, we’ve decided to breathe some new life into the event. Winter Wonderland will be a whole new experience for those that attend.”

This year’s schedule of events includes ice artist Jeff Pennypacker from Asheville, NC. Pennypacker and crew will create a special slide made of ice for the young and young at heart to enjoy as well as perform a live ice sculpting demonstration. “It will be exciting to see them transform a block of ice into a work of art,” Schlott said. Ice slide rides begin at 5:00 p.m. with the ice sculpting demonstration set for 7:30 p.m.

Free wagon rides will also be offered during Winter Wonderland. The bright red wagon will be decked out for the holidays and will give those riding a whole new perspective on the evening’s activities. The free wagon rides will be offered beginning at 5:00 p.m. and run until the end of the event.

Roxy the miniature horse will also be back in action from her very popular debut during Pumpkinfest. Youngsters can ride Roxy beginning at 5:00 p.m. and there is an 80 pound weight limit.

Live entertainment has a renewed focus for Winter Wonderland and will be headlined by the popular Rye Holler Boys. They will be performing traditional holiday favorites from the gazebo beginning at 6:30 p.m. Other entertainment scheduled includes the South Macon Elementary School Chorus and Men Making Music.

Holiday characters will also be roving the streets for the young and young at heart to enjoy. So be sure to bring a camera.

Downtown Franklin Merchants will also get in on the holiday fun. Stores will be open late offering free refreshments including hot cider and delicious treats to their patrons.

“We’ve worked hard to create an event that celebrates not only the holidays but the winter season,” Schlott continued. “This is a great family event and we look forward to seeing visitors from all over the area here in Franklin for Winter Wonderland.”

Winter Wonderland is sponsored by the Franklin Main Street Program, Town of Franklin, Franklin TDA and Franklin TDC.

For more information on the festivities of Franklin’s Winter Wonderland call Linda Schlott, Executive Director of the Franklin Main Street Program at (828) 524-2516.

Rye Holler Boys Headline Entertainment Durning Franklin’s Winter Wonderland

All in their teens, the Rye Holler Boys have won the hearts of fans all across the Carolinas and southeast with their talent to perform traditional style of bluegrass and gospel music. For Winter Wonderland, they will be performing traditional holiday carols live from the gazebo stage in downtown Franklin beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Members of the group include: Alan King, age 17, playing banjo and guitar; Alan’s younger brother Adam King, age 16, on mandolin and vocals; Will Howell, age 15, lead vocalist, plays lead guitar, and some on the upright bass; Jacob Jones, age 15, upright bass, clawhammer banjo, fiddle and vocals.

Other performers scheduled to appear at Winter Wonderland include the South Macon Elementary Chorus and Men Making Music.

“We’re excited to have so many talented performers for Winter Wonderland this year,” said Linda Schlott, Franklin Main Street Program Executive Director. “Music is such a great way to get in the holiday spirit and I know everyone attending will enjoy this year’s variety of entertainers.”

Franklin’s Winter Wonderland will be held one night only from 5:00 to 9:00 on Friday, December 3rd.

For more information on the festivities of Franklin’s Winter Wonderland call Linda Schlott, Executive Director of the Franklin Main Street Program at (828) 524-2516.

Award Winning Ice Sculptors Take Spotlight at Franklin’s Winter Wonderland

The MIS crew will create a special slide made of ice especially for Winter Wonderland. “This is a working slide and takes the crew around three hours to setup,” said Pennypacker. “We’re sure all of the kids attending this winter festival will enjoy it.” There will also be a live demonstration of how ice sculptures are created as the MIS crew transforms a large block of ice into a work of art.

Masterpiece Ice Sculptures (MIS) was opened over 9 years ago by entrepreneur Jeff Pennypacker. The company has grown to be the top ice sculpture company in WNC, TN, SC, and GA. MIS currently employs a wonderful team of 3 people. Ryan Spangler, Award Winning lead carver, is one of the best ice sculptors around. According to Pennypacker, “We work at 28 degrees all year long to provide ice sculptures for a wide variety of events from corporate to birthday parties. We are always ready and up to the task of providing something cool for a hot occasion such as Winter Wonderland in Franklin,” Pennypacker concluded.

“In previous years, this festival had a Victorian feel,” said Linda Schlott, Franklin Main Street Program Executive Director. “This year, however, we’ve decided to breathe some new life into the event. Winter Wonderland will be a whole new experience for all those that attend.”

Franklin’s Winter Wonderland will be held one night only from 5:00 to 9:00 on Friday, December 3rd.

For more information on the festivities of Franklin’s Winter Wonderland call Linda Schlott, Executive Director of the Franklin Main Street Program at (828) 524-2516. More of Masterpiece Ice Sculptures can be found at www.masterpieceice.com.