One of the biggest car shows in South Central Kentucky is slated for Sept. 20th in downtown Franklin, Kentucky. The 62nd Annual Franklin Car and Craft Show will be held the third Saturday in September beginning at 9am with cars, trucks and motorcycles rolling into the historic downtown square.
“We have celebrated automobiles in Franklin for 62 years and we are anticipating this year’s show to be the biggest and best so far,” said Amy Ellis, executive director of Simpson County Tourism.
The Franklin Car and Craft Show will be held in the historic downtown district and the streets surrounding the old courthouse. Vehicle registration will be from 8am until 11am and cars are asked to enter the downtown area via the North College Street and Washington Street intersection. Registration fee is $20 per vehicle/motorcycle and the first 200 vehicle entries will receive a t-shirt.
Awards will be given for the Top 40 Favorite vehicles, Top 5 motorcycles and eight dignitary awards will be presented. The awards presentation will take place at 2pm on the bandstand. “We added the motorcycle category last year and are excited to welcome more bike entries this year,” said Ellis.
Hunt Auto Group in Franklin will return as the sponsor for the car show this year. They will bring some of the latest model cars and trucks to the show, including new hybrid and electric vehicles.
The Franklin-Simpson Cheerleaders will host a fundraising pancake breakfast inside the First United Methodist Church from 7am until 10:30am.
Food trucks as well as arts and crafts vendors will also be a part of this year’s show.
“We want to make this a fun day for participants and spectators. Food trucks and about 35 craft booths have registered for the event. Vendors will have a range of handmade items from jewelry to wood crafts for sale,” Ellis said. “The food trucks will be our local favorites and the cheerleaders will be selling pancakes in the church for the early birds.”
Local artist Sabastian Poole created the design for the shirts which features three local vehicles and beloved art installation of Melvin the horseshoe horse.
“The car show day in Franklin is a long-standing tradition. It is a day that the locals gather to see old friends and visitors come to see our beautiful town,” Ellis said.
The celebration begins on Friday night with the traditional Cruise-In which is hosted by Franklin-Simpson Renaissance. Vehicles are asked to arrive between 5pm-6:30pm and register at the North College Street and Washington Street intersection. There is no entry fee for the Cruise-In.
“We will have area non-profits selling food and a few food trucks on hand for the Cruise-In also,” said Kim Roberts, executive director of Franklin-Simpson Renaissance. “The Cruise-In will continue until 9pm with food vendors opening at 5pm.”
This year’s Cruise-In will feature live music with The Brandon Harris Band beginning at 7pm.
-submitted by Simpson County Tourism
