Fireworks Over Franklin is happening Friday, July 5, due to a change in the pyrotechnic vendor. The Town will host the traditional July 4th activities downtown on the Thursday, July 4, including the parade, Little Mr. and Mrs. Firecracker and Patriotic Pet contests, food trucks, free water, and free watermelon. On July 5, the Town will have food trucks and live music before the fireworks begin, and Main Street will close at 8 p.m. to allow for seating and premium viewing from downtown. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m., shot from atop a hill in East Franklin known as the Whitmire property.
Pickin’ on the Square is held at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo on the Square in Downtown Franklin on the second and fourth Saturdays, May through Mid-October (weather permitting). Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Food vendors available. Upcoming: July 13 The Remnants (Rock / Top 40); and July 27 Run Katie Run (Country / Rock / Americana)
The Macon County Beekeepers Association will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, July 6, starting at 6 p.m. Contact Katie Wall at [email protected] for details.
“Moonlight Moonshine 10K” annual fundraiser for The Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center Saturday, July 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. Event shirts to the first 100 registered racers of Moonlight Moonshine 10K; and 25 to the first 25 registered racers of Half Pint. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Franklin/MoonlightMoonshine10KHalfPintRun.
A movement class on the lawn with Patti Abel of Abel Wellness at Yonder Saturday, July 6, at 9 a.m. Bring your own mat/towel for a restorative class. Yonder is located at 151 Hillcrest Ave., Franklin.
Tully and Friends are eight Franklin artists, ages 3 to 85, who will celebrate their creative spirit in a display of mix media images at an open-to-the-public reception, Saturday, July 6, from 3-5 p.m., at the Macon County Public Library.
“Anxiety: Managing Nervous Energy,” at the Macon County Public Library Tuesday, July 9, at 1:30 p.m. This free event is facilitated by Vaya Health. Call the library or visit www.vayahealth.com/calendar if you are interested in attending.
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the Greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. All walks are weather dependent. Schedule for upcoming walks: July 10 meet at the Macon Co Library parking lot; July 17 meet at Big Bear near the playground. Directions and a bird club check list can be found at https://www.little tennessee.org /franklin-bird-club.
Saturday Mid-day Music at Friends of the Greenway (FROG) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 573 E Main St., Franklin. On July 6, Mike Yow will be performing. For information, email frog28734@ gmail.com; or call (828) 369-8488.
Kavod Soccer Academy is offering two weeks of summer camps the weeks of July 8-12 and July 15-19. To sign up, visit www.kavodsocceracademy.com.
Veteran Family Glampout and Campout, Friday, July 12 at 5 p.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, hosted by Special Liberty Project Farm. All the Glamper spots have been filled, but veterans and their family can sign up to bring a tent and join in the fun at the Special Liberty Project Farm and Retreat Center, 635 Berry Cove Road, Franklin. Or, just join for dinner and s’mores. For more information and to reserve a spot, contact Jessica Merritt at (619) 726-9240, or visit https://speciallibertyproject.org/en.
The Great Jungle Journey Vacation Bible School at Watauga Baptist Church July 14-17, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nightly meal at 5:30 p.m. Register at www.myanswers.com.
The Veteran’s Portrait Project sponsored by the Macon County Art Association is taking applications. Ten veterans’ applications will be accepted to have their portraits painted by volunteer artists. Apply at the Uptown Gallery in Franklin until July 4 this year. Community members who wish to help support the costs for this program are also welcome. Email project chairs Pat Mennenger at [email protected]; or Christina Brown at [email protected].
Franklin Alcoholics Anonymous “Open Meetings” are for anyone who thinks they may have a drinking problem or for anyone interested in the A.A. recovery program. In-person meetings are Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. at No Wrong Door, 102 Thomas Heights Rd.; Sundays at 1 p.m. and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Outreach Center, 66 Harrison Ave.; Mondays at noon, Tuesday at 8 a.m., and Thursdays at noon at St. Agnes Episcopal Church on 66 Church St. On-line meeting information can be found by visiting www.aawnc80.org, or to speak with a member of A.A. call (828) 349-4357.
T.M. Rickman’s Store at 259 Cowee Creek Road is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Musical jam sessions, occasional dulcimer musicians, snacks and refreshments, hand-made Appalachian items and antiques, and a step back in time history experience.
Care Connection, an adult day program is offered Monday through Friday at the Crawford Senior Center. Activities and supervision for adults with dementia and other forms of memory loss. For more information, call (828) 349-0211.
Macon Milk meets every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Macon County Health Department. This is a local mothers connection group for all moms, babies, and children.
Franklin Women’s Club meets the second Friday of every month at noon, April through December, at the Smokestack Café, 61 S. Patton Ave. For more information, contact Valerie Eldred, at (863) 221-0258.
Karaoke with DJ Don at Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., 56 E. Main Street, Franklin.
Email calendar items to [email protected].