Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The annual Franklin Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, preceded by the inaugural Food Truck Rodeo the night before, combining to comprise a Fall Festival Weekend.

The Food Truck Rodeo will be held Friday, Sept. 30, from 6-10 p.m. at Barrett’s Landing Park.

Franklin Director of Tourism Carson S. Blythe explained how the idea for this first-time event came together.

“We are playing off of the traditional block party that they used to have for Fall Festival Weekend,” she said. “We’ve decided to switch things up a little bit.”

She noted that this rodeo, designed to “kick off the weekend,” will feature as many as six food trucks, along with live music from the Hog Bear Band, Silverstreet Band, and Hickory Knoll.

There will also be beer and wine available for purchase, she said, with the wine being sourced from the new Cork Tap Taste Tasting Room in downtown Franklin.

Among the food trucks that will be involved is Triple B with Cheese.

“They have loaded mac and cheese, gourmet grilled cheeses, mozzarella sticks — all things cheese,” Blythe said.

Skrimp Shack will be on hand to provide seafood with a Southern twist, and It’s All Good will be present to provide hot wings, barbecue and more.

The next day, the Franklin Fall Festival will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street and 2nd Avenue. 

Blythe noted that vendors will be present on Main Street from the railroad tracks down to 4th Avenue, and on 2nd Avenue from the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Main Street down to Middle Street across from Kilby’s Flower Shop Inc.

Planning on participating in the festival are 100-plus vendors and local businesses.

Blythe noted that the city of Franklin’s Human Resources Department will be represented, sharing job opportunities.

The Franklin Animal Shelter will be offering pet adoptions.

“They came to our Spring Fest and had maybe 10 or so animals, and I believe they all got adopted,” Blythe said. “So you can adopt them right there, do all the paperwork, and take them home with you, or you can schedule an appointment to meet at the animal shelter.”

Wawa, different churches and local groups will also have presences at the festival.

Food trucks are expected to be a part of this event as well. Additionally, funnel cake and cotton candy will be among the food offerings available.

The festival will also feature a Kids Zone, with bounce houses and pumpkin painting, and a DJ.