Enjoy holiday fun in Franklin!

                  Franklin, Ky., is ready for a fun-filled holiday season with lots of shopping, cultural events and Christmas programs planned!

Shopping

                  The Franklin Downtown Merchants Association will host its annual Christmas Open House weekend of shopping on Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10. Stores will be open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visit the shops in the Historic Downtown District for special sales, prizes and refreshments…You might even see Santa!!

                  Small Business Saturday will be held November 30. Register for special giveaways as you shop local! For more information, contact the F-S Chamber of Commerce at 270-586-7609.

Christmas Through the Decades

                  In celebration of the county’s 200th birthday, the theme of the annual Small Town Christmas and Christmas Parade will be Christmas Through the Decades. This event will be held Saturday, December 14, in downtown Franklin. During Small Town Christmas, there will be carolers, hot chocolate, horse drawn carriage rides and crafts for children in the courtyard of the Simpson County Courthouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by the Franklin-Simpson Renaissance. Santa will greet children in the courtyard from noon to 1 p.m. For more information contact Amy Ellis at 270-586-8482.

                  Kiwanis of Franklin-Simpson will host the Christmas Parade at 1 p.m. For an entry form or more information contact Felicia Bland 270-320-6816.

The Pageant at Barrington Hills

                  The Franklin-Simpson Community Arts Council will present the comedy “The Pageant at Barrington Hills” on November 22, 23 and 24. Written by Stephen Tedeschi and Trey Duke, this play is the story of Ella Barrington, a wealthy widow who owns just about everything in Barrington Hills. She feels she has the right to continually make changes to the small community theatre’s Christmas production of “The Pageant at Barrington Hills.” In this hilarious one-act play within a play, with characters that will keep you roaring in your seat for almost the entire performance, we see this dysfunctional community theater discover the realness of Christmas. 

                  With direction by Tedeschi, the play will be performed at The Roxy Theater in Franklin as a dinner theater ($25 tickets) on Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23, at 6 p.m., and theater with dessert only (tickets $15) on Sunday, November 24, at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at The Gallery on the Square, 110 N. Main St. Franklin, 270-586-8055, or on-line at www.franklinsimpsonarts.org.  

                  The annual Christmas Concert featuring performances by several members of the performing arts community will be held Friday, December 13, at the Roxy Theater at 7 p.m. This concert is free to the public. For more information contact Brownie Bennett at 270-776-5783.

Paws for Some Art

                  The Roxy Theater will host the “Paws for Some Art” silent auction fundraiser featuring the works of Antigone, the late Ann St. Claire. Approximately 50 original pieces will be available to the public during a fundraiser benefitting the Simpson County Guild of Artists and Craftsmen (a.k.a. Gallery on the Square) and the Simpson County Animal Shelter. The artwork has been generously donated by the artist’s widower, Robert Heidbrink. A reception in honor of Antigone will kick off the fundraiser on Thursday, November 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Roxy Theater. The silent auction that will conclude on Sunday, November 10, at 3 p.m. The exhibit and bidding will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 8 and from noon until 3 p.m. on November 9 Online bidding will also be available. For more information, contact the Gallery at 270-586-8055.

Guild Art Exhibit

                  Simpson County Guild of Artists and Craftsmen annual Artist Exhibit opens Thursday, November 21, at 5 p.m. This exhibit consists of pieces created by guild members. The theme for the exhibit is “Community” in honor of the county’s bicentennial. 

                  We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!