Ramp up your summer with a trip to Franklin, Kentucky. Roam through the sunflower fields, place a bet on a thoroughbred horse race, rock out with Quiet Riot and Hinder, or relax on the links with your friends.
Hear the thunder of the hoofbeats on the turf track at Kentucky Downs Race Course when live horse racing returns for seven days on Aug. 29. With $40 million in purses awarded during live races, it is the richest race horsing event in Kentucky! Franklin welcomes world-renowned jockeys and horses into the venue for two weeks of racing. Live race dates are Aug. 29 and 30, Sept. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9. Be sure to go into The Mint Gaming Hall and try your luck at gaming and see the largest sportsbook east of the Mississippi – Circa Sports Kentucky. Free tailgating, general admission and VIP tickets are on sale at www.themintkentuckydowns.com.
The sunflowers at Ruby Branch Farms will be popping with color when they bloom in August. Stroll through the largest sunflower maze in Kentucky and pick a few to take with you. A visit to the farm will also give you plenty of photo opportunities. The kiddos can enjoy the farm playground while you shop for local beef or honey. The first annual Watermelon Crawl Weekend will be Aug. 28-29. Friday night is family-friendly with live 90’s country music and melon flights. Saturday night is an 18-and-older event with line dancing and specialty watermelon cocktails and mocktails. Tickets are on sale now! For more information go to: www.rubybranchfarms.com
Get your friends together and hit the links at Kenny Perry’s Country Creek Golf Course. The 18-hole public course offers beautiful landscapes, views of Drakes Creek and a challenging course. Be sure to stop by the pro shop and see some of PGA Tour Golfer Kenny Perry’s career memorabilia. For tee times and pricing go to www.kpcountrycreek.com
Summer in Franklin will be rocking with a free live concert featuring Quiet Riot and headliner Hinder on Aug. 22. Spend your day grooving to the tunes at the free Summer Vibes Music Festival in downtown Franklin. Beer tent and food trucks open at noon and the music begins at 12:30pm. Music kicks off with local songwriters Todd Caudill, Josh Thurman and Tom McClure. Also performing that day are Chesle, Ivory Layne, Rye Davis, Flourescents and Arts Fishing. Quiet Riot will take the stage around 6:30pm and Hinder will perform about 8pm. For more information go to www.summervibesfranklinky.com.
While you are in Franklin, stroll the downtown boutiques, antique mall and shop local. Stop in at one of our many restaurants for a bite to eat, take in the local art, and take a selfie in front of the church were June Carter married Johnny Cash.
Tour Dueling Grounds Distillery and taste a bit of pure Kentucky bourbon. Hear the tale of how Franklin’s dip in the state line came to be and learn the proper etiquette of dueling at Sandford Duncan Inn. While you are getting some history lessons, be sure to visit the African American Heritage Museum, Simpson County History Center, Old Jail and Octagon Hall. You will find all the info and links at www.visitfranklinky.com.
-by Amy Ellis
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