The wait is almost over! Dickens of a Christmas in Historic Downtown Franklin is just a few days away. Dickens of a Christmas takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 14.
Produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, Dickens of a Christmas transforms the streets of historic Franklin into a Victorian Christmas set for two days every December. Last year more than 50,000 people attended the two-day occasion, which has been listed as a Top-20 event in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society.
To see all your favorite things at this year’s festival, check out the map. You can click on it to see a larger image.
(Map Courtesy of historicfranklin.com)
One of the hallmarks of Dickens is costumed characters interacting with visitors on the street and this year will mark the return of Scrooge bellowing his “Bah! Humbug”, the nefarious Fagin, and English Bobbies (who are actually Franklin Police Officers on duty in costume). Guests may even run into a ghost of Christmas Past, Present or Future, Tiny Tim Cratchit or the Father of Christmas himself. More than 200 volunteers in costume will attend the festival.
American Idol winner Kris Allen will perform as part of Dickens of a Christmas in Historic Downtown Franklin on Saturday, December 13. In its 30-year history, this is the first time Dickens of a Christmas has hosted a headlining act on its stage. Live entertainment will also take place at the intersection of 4th and Main Street, at Five Points and inside the Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church and along other locations on Main Street. Check back tomorrow for the full entertainment schedule!
“We are thankful for our dedicated staff members and volunteers who help drive the Foundation’s mission by producing these annual street festivals,” said Mary Pearce, executive director of The Heritage Foundation.
The two-day weekend street festival is produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association, which seek to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. Visit The Williamson Source Team while we roast chestnuts on Saturday with proceeds benefitting The Heritage Foundation.
