March is a turning point for our wonderful town of Franklin, NC. The First Day of Spring will arrive this month, and the surrounding landscape will begin to get a little greener and begin to blossom. Did you know that consuming local honey can help alleviate those seasonal allergies that may start to pop up this month? And Gracious Plates On Main proudly serves Brothers Honey! In fact, Gracious Plates On Main sources our ingredients from local farmers as much as possible, so you know you’re always getting the very best at our restaurant.
Gracious Plates On Main is open 7 days a week with all of your favorite Farm-to-Table dishes, unique cocktails, and premium wines. As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to dine on our patio and enjoy the sights and sounds of Main Street. Whether you’re dining inside or outside on our covered Main Street patio, you’ll find that our friendly service is the perfect finishing touch for any meal. And we’re committed to exceeding your expectations. Check out our list of local happenings below to see what else you’d like to do around town before or after you enjoy your next meal at Gracious Plates On Main!
Local Highlights
AT 110 Celebration
Franklin, NC
March 20 – April 22
As an Appalachian Trail Gateway Community, Franklin opens the town to all hikers of the Appalachian Trail as they start their journey north to Katahdin. We’re big fans of the A.T. around here. Franklin was the first of 49 towns along the 2192.0 (2019) mile Trail to be designated an A.T. Community. Tourists are invited to come and explore the Appalachian Trail through local hikes, documentaries and more or sit and talk with A.T. thru-hikers before they press on towards their goal of Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
Gracious Plates is offering the Happy Trails Discount to all hikers during this annual celebration, with 10% off your meal. So come dine with us 7 days a week, just walk on in or make your reservation!
Exploring Early Spring Blooms
Franklin, NC
March
The month of March presents the first opportunity of the year to enjoy the beauty of early spring blooms in Franklin. Not only will you find plenty of wildflowers spread across landscapes both in and around town, but thanks to the Franklin Garden Club, the gardens on Main Street are always a sight to behold. Look for these early blooms and more as you stroll through downtown after a delicious meal at Gracious Plates On Main.
Art Classes
Uptown Gallery
Various Dates
Each month, Uptown Gallery on Main Street offers a variety of fun and engaging classes for artists of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Learn watercolor painting, fused glass art, colored pencil art, jewelry design, and more. Check out their Facebook Events page to see all they have to offer this month.
Trivia
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub
TBA
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub hosts Trivia every week, and the proceeds from the fun always go to a local nonprofit chosen by the winning team! They offer a full espresso bar, an array of craft beers, and fresh baked goods.
The Franklin Gem & Mineral Society
Educational Offerings
Various Dates
The Franklin Gem and Mineral Society is dedicated to sharing and promoting cultural, educational, and scientific interests in rocks, minerals, fossils, and the lapidary arts. This nonprofit offers youth education and activities through the JUNIOR ROCKHOUNDS for students, ages 7 through 17. The society also offers adult education, including field trips and classes. The museum is open Thursday-Saturday from 12:00-4:00pm.
Echoes of the Past Historic Ghost Tours
Downtown Franklin
Various Dates
Listen for “Echoes of the Past” and learn about the local legends of downtown Franklin, NC. Experience our histories and mysteries on an immersive walking tour through one of the most historically diverse and haunted places in America. From stories of pre-Columbian explorers to the Civil War to modern day, each one hour ghost tour is appropriate for all ages.
Yarn & Fiber Classes
Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Various dates
Silver Threads & Golden Needles is a friendly and fiber obsessed yarn shop located in the Historic Downtown shopping area of Franklin, North Carolina. Whether you are a local or taking a vacation in the Smoky Mountains, we are your one stop destination for all things yarn and fiber!
Artisan Alley Spring Market
Town Hall on Main Street
March 1 ~ 9:00am – 2:00pm
Come out and see us at our temporary location in the Franklin Town Hall Parking lot. Tons of new exciting vendors plus all the amazing returning vendors. Everything from vintage antiques, handcrafted gifts to baked goods.
Aristocats the Meow-sical
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
March 1 ~ 7:00pm
Based on the beloved Disney animated film, and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score, Disney’s The Aristocats is a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with unbelievable twists and turns.
In the heart of Paris, a kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. Now it’s up to the rough-and-tumble alley cat, Thomas O’Malley, and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day. Featuring beloved tunes from the animated feature, including, “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat”, “Thomas O’Malley Cat”, “The Aristocats” and more, this mad-cap MEOW-sical comedy is worthy of four paws up! This show is approximately one hour in length and is presented by the Overlook Theatre Company.
Book Club
A Novel Escape
March 6 ~ 6:30pm
On the first Thursday of every month, A Novel Escape hosts Book Club. It’s a fun group that delves into a variety of different genres, with each month’s book selected by popular vote. And to make it even better, each month’s chosen book is 15% at the bookstore!
An Evening of Classic Rock
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
March 8 ~ 7:00pm
Combining more than 100 years of professional musicianship, Scott Thompson & Brother Mojo is a classic rock/soul powerhouse band. Together with the Clocktower of Power horn section, this eight-piece band will have you tapping your toes and drifting away to Woodstock, Muscle Shoals, Laurel Canyon and Austin Texas! Get ready to dance in the aisles and sing along to classic rock and soul favorites!
Artisan Alley Spring Market
Town Hall on Main Street
March 15 ~ 9:00am – 2:00pm
Come out and see us at our temporary location in the Franklin Town Hall Parking lot. Tons of new exciting vendors plus all the amazing returning vendors. Everything from vintage antiques, handcrafted gifts to baked goods.
Silent Book Club
A Novel Escape
March 20 ~ 6:30pm
Join us for an hour once a month and read silently amongst your fellow book lovers! There will be a “settle-in” period from 6:30-7pm, silent reading from 7-8pm, and a short exclusive shopping period from 8-8:30pm. Bring your pillow, blanket, or any other items to help you feel comfy while reading. Don’t forget your book!
Lonestar
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
March 20 ~ 7:30pm
Not every musician has the opportunity to revisit and even potentially improve upon their biggest hits. But on the forthcoming TEN to 1 record, the award-winning band Lonestar- Dean Sams (keyboards, acoustic guitar, background vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitarist, background vocals ), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Drew Womack (lead vocals, guitar)- are taking a fresh look at all 10 of their chart-topping country songs.
This streak started in 1996 with the band’s second single, the rock-edged “No News,” and continued with the following year’s “Come Cryin’ to Me” and “Everything’s Changed.” The band’s quadruple-platinum 1999 album Lonely Grill spawned four No. 1 hits (including the beloved global smash “Amazed”) and established Lonestar as music’s preeminent pop-country band—a status they’d maintain through the 2000s and beyond.
With these re-recordings, the band members were mindful of striking a balance between preserving the sonic elements fans were familiar with—and not repeating them. Fittingly, TEN to 1 record reflects the ways Lonestar’s hits have evolved over the years during the band’s rousing, high-energy concerts. Such talent has contributed to the band winning many of music’s top honors, including Academy Of Country Music awards for New Vocal Group in 1996, Single and Song Of The Year in 2000, along with Humanitarian Of The Year in 2002. They also won Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year and International Artist Achievement award in 2001. All told, Lonestar have sold more than 10.5 million records since their formation.
With the release of TEN to 1 record, the band members are full of gratitude for what they’ve accomplished already, and excited about what the future holds. “It’s amazing that we’re still standing and putting on great shows after all these years,” Sams says. “The fans are still coming out to our shows night after night, to see us and hear our music. That’s almost 30 years of touring, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am—and I’ve never once taken it for granted.”
North Carolina Symphony – Free Event
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
March 28 ~ 7:30pm
Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony (NCS) is a vital and honored component of North Carolina’s cultural life. Each year, more than 300 concerts, education programs, and community engagement offerings reach adults and schoolchildren in all 100 North Carolina counties—in communities large and small, and in concert halls, auditoriums, gymnasiums, restaurants, clubs, and outdoor settings. NCS is proud to expand access to audiences around the globe through concerts and educational offerings available through the digital space.
Committed to engaging students of all ages across North Carolina, NCS leads one of the most extensive education programs of any symphony orchestra in the country—serving over 100,000 students each year. In alignment with the curriculum set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the Symphony provides training and resources for teachers, sends small ensembles into classrooms, and presents full-orchestra in-person and online Education Concerts that bring the fundamentals of music to life. Music Discovery for preschoolers combines music with storytelling, and at the middle and high school levels, students have opportunities to work directly with NCS artists and perform for NCS audiences. NCS is dedicated to giving voice to new art and has presented more than 50 U.S. or world premieres in its history.
The mission of NCS is to be North Carolina’s state orchestra—an orchestra achieving the highest standard of artistic quality and performance standards, and embracing our dual legacies of statewide service and music education.
Tickets are free, reservations are suggested by the link below. Reservations may also be made by calling the NC Symphony office at 919-733-2750. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm.
