Pickin’ on the Square added a “make-up” date with Jason Passmore, the local rising country rock star. The new date is August 30. Mark your calendar. Remaining Pickin shows this month include Greg Beasley (American Blues) on Aug. 9, and the Rock Holler Band (Rock) Aug. 23. Sponsored by the Town of Franklin, Pickin’ happens every other Saturday through October and features local and regional musical talent as well as food and beverages for sale. Bring a chair. For information about upcoming featured musicians, visit www.franklinnc.com.
Live Saturday music offered by Friends of the Greenway (FROG) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 573 E. Main Street, Franklin. Upcoming: Aug. 2, Bloodroot.
Second Time Blessings a group for grandparents raising grandchildren will meet Monday, Aug. 4, from 6 to 7:30, at Discover Church, 47 Macon Center Drive. A light dinner will be served. Childcare is available. Questions? Contact Beth Pooler at (828)723-1047.
The Nantahala Hiking Club will hike Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain Sunday, Aug. 3. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at One Nails Shopping Center in Cashiers. Hike is 4.4 miles and is rated moderate with an elevation gain of 950 feet. Hike leader is Robin Lurie. Call for reservations at (954)632-7270.
Franklin Garden Club offers “Cold Weather Vegetable Gardening,” Monday, Aug. 4, during its 11 a.m. monthly meeting at Robert C. Carpenter Community Center, 1288 Georgia Road, Franklin. Visit Franklin NC Garden Club on Facebook to keep up with events and activities, and to learn how to get involved.
2026 Trip to Spain information meeting is Aug. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, 98 Hyatt Road. Trip dates are March 17–25, 2026. Meeting is free; refreshments will be served. For more information, call Linda at (828)524-3161.
Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy’s Full Moon Hike, 7 miles, is Aug. 9 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. This free event is led by Star Henderson. Meet at Lazy Hiker and the hike will meander down Main Street to the Big Bear Shelter, onto the Little Tennessee Greenway, through the Cartoogechaye Creek Meadow, down Allman Drive, and ending at the Fairgrounds.
The Nantahala Hiking Club will hike Deep Creek and Indian Creek Saturday, Aug. 9. Meet at Franklin Food Lion at 9 a.m. Hike is 4.7 miles and is rated moderate with an elevation gain of 600 feet. Hike leader is Gail Lehman. Call for reservations at (828)524-5298.
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks on Wednesday mornings along the Little Tennessee Greenway. Walks begin at 8 a.m. at alternating locations. The schedule and directions are listed at www.littletennessee.org/franklin-bird-club The public is welcome, all walks are weather dependent. Upcoming walks are: Aug. 6, Big Bear parking lot near the playground; Aug. 13, Salali Lane.
Historic Rickman Store at 259 Cowee Creek Road is open, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through December. Music jams, local crafts, and unique antique items, and refreshments are offered.
Artfest 2025 presented by the Macon County Art Association’s Uptown Gallery offers a free day of hands-on creativity and community fun Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. Art activities for children and families, face painting and make-and-take art stations, a bake sale and a raffle with creative prizes. The library is located at 149 Siler Farm Road, Franklin.
Non-perishable food donations are needed for Burnsville-Spruce Pine Area due to ongoing effects of Hurricane Helene. Drop off location is at The American Legion Post 108, 614 West Main St., Franklin; hours of operation are noon-8 p.m., Mondays-Tuesdays-Thursdays and the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Monetary donations accepted and will be used for fresh meats and vegetables. Call for more information, (828)524-4306.
A Macon County Master Gardener is available on the first Monday of each month at the Holly Springs Community Building, 2720 Cat Creek Road, from 9 to 11 a.m. to answer plant and garden questions. A variety of gardening-related handouts will also be available. This is a free, community service.
Karaoke is available in Franklin at Lazy Hiker, every other Friday, and The Rathskeller Coffee Bar and Pub the first, second, and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
Open Mic Night second Friday, 6 to 8 p.m., at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center; email [email protected]. The center is located at 51 Cowee School Dr., 6 miles north of Franklin on Hwy. 28.
Aglow International Franklin Lighthouse hosts a gathering the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m., at 164 Iotla Church Rd.
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 held Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. at No Wrong Door, 102 Thomas Heights Rd.; Sunday at 1 p.m., and Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Outreach Center, 66 Harrison Ave.; and Saturday at 10 a.m.,Tuesday at 8 a.m. and Thursday at 12 noon at St. Agnes Episcopal Church on 66 Church St. On-line meeting information is available by visiting www.aawnc80.org; or to speak with a member of A.A., call (828)349-4357.
Awake America Prayer Meeting is held on the 1st Thursday of every month, from 12-1 p.m. at Macon County Recreation Center, 1288 Georgia Road, Franklin. For more information, contact facilitator Bob Henson, (229)352-0620; email: [email protected]; or visit www.awakeamericaprayermeetings.org.
James Thompson’s Classic Country Sound bluegrass and gospel music the first and third Friday at 60 Firehouse Road behind the Otto Fire Department. Hosted by Otto Community Development Club.
Trivia nights are the fourth Monday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Otto Community Center, 65 Firehouse Road, Otto; Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Lazy Hiker on Main Street in Franklin; every third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Rathskeller Coffee Bar and Pub, in Franklin; and Mondays at 7 p.m. at Currahee Brewing Company.
Franklin Al-anon “Live and Let Live” Family Group in-person meetings are Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 66 Church St. Parking is behind the church. Al-Anon is a fellowship of friends and family dealing with the impact of another’s drinking or substance abuse. Contact (334)224-4785.
Nar-Anon is a support group for friends and families whose lives have been affected by addiction. Meetings are held Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., Hickory Knoll Global Methodist Church, 86 E. Hickory Knoll Rd., in the fellowship hall building. Contact Karen (408)829-4452.
Franklin Lions Club meets the second and fourth Monday, 6 p.m., Louisa Chapel Methodist, 470 Louisa Chapel Road.
FUNDRAISERS
’80s Flashback Weekend presents a full weekend of 80s-themed fun, Aug.1-2. Live music, a retro parade, 5K race, silent auction, raffle prizes, and more. Weekend highlights include a Bon Jovi tribute concert on Friday night, Aug. 1; an ’80s Flashback Parade Saturday, Aug. 2, 5:30 p.m.; and an epic 80z dance party with 80z Nation on Saturday, Aug. 2 in downtown Franklin. ’
Annual Good Stuff Sale presented by the Women’s Guild of St. Francis Church is Aug. 8 & 9, noon to 7 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at the church, 299 Maple St. in Franklin. The event supports the Guild’s ministry activities.
Household and decorative objects, kitchen items, linens, books, personal accessories, toys, tools, exercise equipment, furniture, craft supplies, yard tools, and plants. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Becky Peeling, bapeeling12@ gmail.com, or (561)801-3301.
ANNUAL benefit concert for children’s home Sunday, Aug. 3 at First Presbyterian Church
The community is invited to attend the 20th Annual Benefit Concert for the Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families (BMH) to be held Sunday, Aug. 3, at 3 p.m. The First Presbyterian Church will host this musical event in its sanctuary at 26 Church Street in Franklin. Coordinated by First Presbyterian Church music director Frank Armato, the concert will feature Mountain Voices, Rev. Betsy Stow (flute), and Frank Armato (pianist).
Admission to the concert is free. A love offering for the BMH will be taken and First Presbyterian will match the first $1500 of the funds donated. A reception will follow the concert in Tartan Hall.
This concert raises funds and promotes awareness for Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth and Families. BMH is a nonprofit organization established in 1904 to serve children from birth to post-secondary education and beyond through family foster care, residential living, transitional living, and independent living facilities.
Bruce Henderson, chair of the Board of Directors, said “The Black Mountain Home for Children took a double hit this year. Helene caused a landslide that destroyed much of the Shepherd of the Hills Retreat Center, limiting an important revenue stream and overnight volunteer stays. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Legislature did not renew the funding that had eased the effects of the 2018 federal bill that stopped support for children and youth in residential care. Fortunately, donors from around our community have stepped up to help. Wonderful events like FPC- Franklin’s annual concert provide crucial support to BMH, allowing us to continue to help vulnerable children and youth and their families.”