Summer in Franklin, Kentucky starts with our Summer Nights Concert Series and this year is an extra special one. Summer Nights is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season so lots of fun at the concerts is expected. Our season kicked off June 16th but will run through August. The concerts are free to the public, and offer a family-friendly night of music, good food, and dancing. We bring old-style country, classic rock, R&B, Motown, and modern-day country to our courthouse bandstand, so you better dust off your dancing shoes and bring them along with you. Come downtown a little early and shop with our downtown merchants, grab a bite to eat at one of our local restaurants, or just set your chair up early and grab dinner from one of the food trucks that will be there. The giant shade trees on the lawn will provide plenty of shade while you eat, socialize with friends, and wait for the band to start. Our 2023 Summer Nights Concert Series is presented by Franklin-Simpson Renaissance and sponsored by Simpson County Tourism, Franklin Bank & Trust, Hunt Ford, and EH Harris Lumber Company. “During the summer we host a variety of events on our downtown square and most of them are free. Our courtyard and downtown are beautiful and a perfect setting for concerts, music festivals, and special events for kids and families,” said Kim Roberts, Executive Director of Franklin-Simpson Renaissance. “It is worth your while to come early and do some shopping with our local merchants. The variety of shops is endless, and the merchants just love seeing old and new faces.”
Each concert starts at 7pm and usually wraps up around 9pm. Lawn chair rentals are available each night. The July schedule begins on the 14th with The Randy Nations Band playing a variety of hits of all genres. July 17, 1998 was the first Summer Nights Concert in Franklin so on the 14th we will be celebrating 25 years with cake and fun! Four on the Floor Band will hit the stage July 21 playing 50’s- & 60’s-style tunes. Broadway the Clown will be back on this night doing free face painting for the kids. To wind up July, Colton Kise, a young newcomer, will be in town on the 28th to play lots of old-style and new country.
Several events are planned to coincide with the concerts this summer. The downtown merchants will be having a Downtown Block Party Carnival Style for the kids on July 28th before Colton Kise takes the stage. On August 11, the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce will host the Garden Spot ½ Mile Kids Run before Tyrone Dunn makes his appearance. The run is the kickoff event for the Garden Spot 5K Run on Saturday morning, August 12. Summer Vibes Music Festival will be on August 26, with nationally known Smash Mouth taking the big stage on the street. September 15th, The Sidewinders will be on the bandstand for the Franklin-Simpson Renaissance Car Show Cruise-In.
“Franklin is growing, and our events are a big part of that. We are a cool little town with a big heart, and we know how to put on events. I take pride in our historic downtown district and look forward each year to planning things that the entire family can enjoy while focusing on the activities people say they want,” said Mrs. Roberts.
-submitted by Franklin-Simpson Renaissance
