Just because downtown Franklin’s beloved Pumpkinfest had to be canceled this year due to COVID-19 doesn’t mean that all of downtown’s October and Halloween festivities have to be.
Never ones to sit idle, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association, pivoted and partnered with Visit Franklin, the City of Franklin and our sponsor FirstBank to cook up a way to promote downtown Franklin and celebrate the Fall season without drawing the massive crowds that always turn out for Pumpkinfest, which is a single-day event.
The result was Paint the Town Orange, which is a month-long initiative including Main Street retailer and restaurant specials, commemorative orange T-shirts and masks, decorations, designated selfie spots, hashtags and of course – a Halloween costume contest.
Each week in October celebrates a different theme:
October 1 – 10: Harvesting History & Culture
October 10 – 17: Bountiful Brews
October 17 – 24: Shop Small this Fall
October 24 – 29: Autumnal Treats
October 30 – 31: “Paint the Town Orange” Weekend
Additional detail and specifics about each week can be found HERE.
In addition to the themed weeks and specials, running now through October 30, is the online costume contest. Categories include pets, children, adults and groups.
There is no entry fee to participate – it is completely FREE! This is a donate-to-vote costume contest, meaning that $1 = 1 vote, and the contestants with the most votes at the end of the contest, win! Online voting and registration is HERE through Friday, October 30, 2020 at 11:59 PM CST.
Winners will be displayed automatically on the contest page following the close of voting on Saturday, October 31. All donations go to support the Heritage Foundation, producer of Pumpkinfest and parent organization of The Franklin Theatre, Downtown Franklin Association and Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens.
While you are downtown painting the town orange, look for some designated “selfie spots” and be sure to post your photos on social and tag @downtownfranklintn and use the hashtag #FranklinOrange2020.
Here is a list of the spots and you can see them on a map HERE:
- Heritage Foundation’s Famous “Pumpkin Tree” (Public Square – In front of City Hall and Ruby Sunshine)
- Heritage Foundation’s Antique Truck (Now until Oct. 30 – 112 Bridge Street – Old, Old Jail Parking Lot; October 31 – 611 West Main Street – Williamson County Museum & Archives Parking Lot)
- Paint the Town Orange Family Photo Backdrop | October 5 – 31 (Corner of West Main Street and 4th Avenue – Side of The Registry Building)
- Tiny Little Donuts (Airstream at 328 5th Avenue North)
- French’s Shoes & Boots (Also at 328 5th Avenue North)
We hope you and your family enjoy this beautiful and festive time of year in downtown Franklin and that you will mark your calendars to join us at Pumpkinfest next year on October 30.