September has arrived, and we’re still celebrating all the joys of Summer in the mountains. Yes, Summer Break is coming to an end and it’s time to go back to school, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep having at least a little bit of fun! There are plenty of events and activities around Franklin on evenings and weekends, and practically all of it is family-friendly. See our list of all the fun going on in town this month and pick your favorites. Join us at Gracious Plates on Main for the best Farm to Fork experience in Western NC. Fresh tastes better! Also, as the weather cools off, come enjoy a cocktail on our patio!
Local Highlight
First Day of Fall
September 23
Can you believe that Fall will be here in just over 3 weeks? We’ve definitely had a bit of a heat wave this summer, but the cooler weather is right around the corner. And everyone knows what that means: S’mores by the fire, crisp breezes through the trees, open windows, colorful leaves, and pumpkin spice everything! Make sure you take time to stroll down Main Street this month so you don’t miss any of the Fall-themed merchandise and treats that our Main Street merchants have in store for you.
September (various dates)
Lost In Time Tours of Franklin offers exciting and historically-based ghost tours throughout the downtown area nearly every day of the week. The tours range from the streets of downtown to haunted homes, graveyards, and even a brewery! Check out their schedule and make your reservation early.
Friday & Saturday Evenings
Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub hosts live music by various artists every Friday and Saturday evening. They offer a full espresso bar, an array of craft beers, and fresh baked goods.
July (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!
September 5 ~ 6:30pm
On the first Tuesday 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!
September 9 ~ 7:30pm
A FAN-FAVORITE RETURNS! After a decade together, Departure has become the most respected Journey tribute band in the nation. Departure replicates the look, sound and feel of the original 80’s rock super group. The five band members are from the original line-up and have been together from the very beginning. These veteran musicians have developed an amazing on-stage chemistry and pride themselves on giving their audience an incredible high-energy, qualitative stage show from start to finish. Departure plays all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves and was voted “Best Local Entertainer” for 2011, 2012 and 2014 by Gwinnett Magazine. Performing approximately one-hundred shows annually, Departure brings the very best of Journey to audiences of all ages.
September 9 ~ 7:30pm
A FAN-FAVORITE RETURNS! After a decade together, Departure has become the most respected Journey tribute band in the nation. Departure replicates the look, sound and feel of the original 80’s rock super group. The five band members are from the original line-up and have been together from the very beginning. These veteran musicians have developed an amazing on-stage chemistry and pride themselves on giving their audience an incredible high-energy, qualitative stage show from start to finish. Departure plays all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves and was voted “Best Local Entertainer” for 2011, 2012 and 2014 by Gwinnett Magazine. Performing approximately one-hundred shows annually, Departure brings the very best of Journey to audiences of all ages.
September 9 ~ 6:00pm
For over three decades the Town of Franklin, NC has hosted this FREE event at the Gazebo on the Square in Downtown Franklin from May through mid-October.
Featured Band: Sundown Band
September 9 ~ 4:00-8:00pm
The Phillips Street Market will debut on September 9th in Downtown Franklin, NC. There will be amazing artisans showcasing their crafts, homegrown plants, antiques/vintage stuff, food, and music (Pickin' on the Square).
September 14 ~ 5:30-7:30pm
Each month, Gracious Plates On Main offers a "Wine Pack" of 3 exclusive bottles at a reduced rate for our Wine Club members, as well as a tasting of next month's wine pack led by their Sommelier! Joining Wine Club and attending the monthly tastings are both free.
September 14 ~ 7:30pm
Amidst so much heaviness consuming events of today’s world, Rend Collective is sharing good news as a response to that brokenness. The Ireland-hailing Rend Collective is harkening back to their roots-y, unique sound – originally birthed out of Bangor, Ireland.
Taking on the moniker “Purveyors of Good News,” Rend Collective is barreling down the road of authenticity, and simple old-fashioned Gospel. Grown away from industry or formula, each song from Good News is deeply connected to the band’s roots in missional community – a group of people, or extended family, who are united through Christian community around a common service and witness to a particular neighborhood or network of relationships – much like the band themselves.
Rend Collective has chosen not to shy away from the brokenness and suffering, but rather through music and lyric that continues to push boundaries in the band’s own unique way, brings light to the darkness- to lament, to remember, and to share in the good news that belongs to all of us.
East Henderson @ Franklin Panthers Franklin High School Football Stadium
September 15 ~ 7:30pm
Football Season is here, and our own Franklin Panthers are going to have a great season! Let’s all support them by attending their Home games.
September 16 ~ 7:00pm
With performances on national and international television, in stadiums, arenas, casinos, and theaters around the country, with Oscar-winning composers and symphony orchestras, for NFL and NBA halftime shows and major sporting events, for Fortune 500 companies, and even at The White House, Michael Grandinetti has made a name for himself around the world as an extremely talented and innovative magician and illusionist.
Over the past 20 years, Michael has been driven to make magic contemporary and to give it a wide, mainstream appeal. He has had starring roles on NBC’s “The World’s Most Dangerous Magic II”, five seasons of The CW’s “Masters of Illusion”, and POP’s “Don’t Blink”, and his magic has been featured on the Emmy-nominated FOX series “Bones”, “The Today Show”, “Access Hollywood”, “Entertainment Tonight”, “SportsCenter” and “The Bold and the Beautiful”. Michael has also been featured in Parade Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, AXS.com, Hidden Remote, Starpulse, The Huffington Post, Young Hollywood, and The Beverly Hills Times Magazine. Michael was also a featured guest on CNBC’s “Make It”, a series about people who have achieved success in challenging industries, as well as on the cover of TV Times magazine, released nationally in newspapers across the U.S.
The Magic of Michael Grandinetti LIVE features breathtaking wonders from Michael’s extraordinary career, right before your very eyes. Legendary magic plots of levitation, teleportation, mind reading, and more are reimagined for today’s audiences, making them more visual, surprising, and even more astounding than ever before. However, audiences don’t just watch the magic, they’re pulled into an interactive experience where everyone in the theater becomes part of the magic!
September 20-23
Join us for the Annual Macon County Agricultural Fair for BBQ Supper, Best Cake Contest, Special Needs Livestock Show, Harvest Sale, Festival Foods and so much more! For more information contact 369-3523 or visit www.themaconcofair.com
Hobbit Day A Novel Escape
September 22
A Novel Escape Bookstore will be hosting a special event to celebrate Hobbit Day, which is also Bilbo’s birthday! There will be special sales, snacks, and giveaways. If you enjoy the Lord of the Rings books or are just looking for some family-friendly activities, then head on over to our favorite bookstore for this day of fun.
Tuscola @ Franklin Panthers Franklin High School Football Stadium
September 22 ~ 7:30pm
Football Season is here, and our own Franklin Panthers are going to have a great season! Let’s all support them by attending their Home games.
September 23 ~ 6:00pm
For over three decades the Town of Franklin, NC has hosted this FREE event at the Gazebo on the Square in Downtown Franklin from May through mid-October.
Featured Band: Darren Nicholson
September 23 ~ 7:00pm
Over twenty acts will be selected for this exciting evening of talent, fun, entertainment and laughs where a GRAND PRIZE OF $1,000.00 WILL BE GIVEN TO THE 1ST PLACE WINNER! Scoring will be based upon 50% audience votes and 50% guest judges votes. Bring your family and friends to cheer on your favorite act! Performances will include singing, dancing, comedy, bands, variety and more! All proceeds will benefit the ministry of missions.
September 30 ~ 7:30pm
“We are saying what HE said,” laughs Matt Vee referring to the one and only Neil Diamond. Matt along with cousins Jeff and Tommy Vee, local music scene veterans and sons of the legendary Bobby Vee, join forces with their family and friends as The Killer Vees to celebrate the music from a timeless catalog. With songs like “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” and “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond sold over 100 million records worldwide with music that became the soundtrack to one generation after another with hits spanning five decades. As a Tin Pan Alley songwriter in the mid 60s, he penned songs recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Deep Purple and, of course, the Monkee’s classic, “I’m A Believer.”
“This is not a tribute show,” says Tommy Vee. “This is a celebration of an amazing musical icon, one we all love and respect. It’s a rockin’ show!”
