Franklin celebrates Independence Day
Published 6:42 pm Wednesday, July 6, 2022
A large crowd enjoys the music of The Embers on Wednesday, June 29, at Barrett’s Landing. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
A large crowd enjoys the music of The Embers on Wednesday, June 29, at Barrett’s Landing. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Coming from Sedley to take part in Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration are, from left, Chris Stoll, Maisen Stoll and Meranda Stoll. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Phillip McGee and Mildred Smith enjoy a good view of the river while within earshot of The Embers during Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Robert and Gloria Britt smile as they take in the Independence Day festivities in Franklin with granddaughter Juliet Rose. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Clint Newton and Jennifer Newton, who is holding June Newton, came from Como, North Carolina, to participate in Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Joined by the flag in the background are Bryce Ammendolia, left, and Jack Ammendolia. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Roy “Buddy” Butler poses for a photo with his 1961 Chevrolet Impala Bubble Top during the Franklin Cruise-In on Wednesday, June 29. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Keith Barrett presents his 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 on Wednesday, June 29. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Gathering for a photo amid their enjoyment of the festivities are, from left, Sarah Graham, Ezra Worth, Ashley Worth, Chelsea Twisdale, Cecilia Twisdale, Pete Twisdale II, Pete Twisdale III, 2021 Wee Miss Franklin/Southampton County Fair Sienna Worth and Isaac Worth. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Pausing from their conversation for a quick photo are, from left, Robert “Bobby” Cutchins, Maddux Benson, David White Sr. and Nancy White. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Spectators enjoy the fireworks Wednesday night, June 29, that concluded Franklin’s Independence Day Celebration. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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Downtown Franklin was the setting for a particularly busy scene Wednesday afternoon and evening, June 29, as people from the community and beyond gathered to attend the city’s annual Independence Day Celebration.
“It was a great event,” Franklin Mayor Frank M. Rabil said, extending “a huge ‘thank you’” to the sponsors and many volunteers that helped make the celebration a big success.
“The annual celebration is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our community as well as an opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with our citizens and our neighbors from the surrounding areas,” Rabil said.
Franklin City Manager Amanda C. Jarratt said the city was thrilled to have held another successful Independence Day Celebration.
“The day brought beautiful weather, over 100 cars participating in the Franklin Cruise-In, free refreshments from the Franklin Experience, fantastic music by The Embers and a stunning firework display by Virginia Skypainters,” she said. “We are so appreciative to the various sponsors and volunteers that made the night so successful. We look forward to future events highlighting all that the city of Franklin has to offer.”
Mike Smith, one of the principal organizers behind the Franklin Cruise-In, said the weather was perfect for the cars and all the other events as well.
“We were ecstatic with the turnout,” he said. “It was a great event for the entire community. It was amazing to see all the different groups work together to bring this free, family, fun event to downtown Franklin, so we were very, very pleased.”
The Franklin Cruise-In and Franklin Farmers Market are both being held each Wednesday afternoon/evening, and the farmers market enjoyed a particularly significant boost in patronage by being part of the Independence Day Celebration.
“We had about 500 customers, so it was a pretty good day for us,” Market Manager Robert Campbell said. “We’ve been averaging a little over a hundred on Wednesday evenings, so, yeah, that was significantly better.”
