With over 200 cars expected to roll into downtown Franklin, Kentucky on September 16, the 60th Annual Franklin Car and Craft Show will kick off at 9am.
“We have celebrated automobiles in Franklin for 60 years and we are anticipating this year’s show to be the biggest and best so far,” said Amy Ellis, executive director of Simpson County Tourism.
The show will be held in the historic downtown district and on the streets surrounding the old courthouse. Registration will be from 8am until 11am and cars are asked to enter the downtown area via the North College Street and Washington Street intersection. Registration fee is $20 per vehicle and the first 200 vehicles will receive a T-shirt. Awards will be given for the Top 40 Favorite Vehicles and eight dignitary awards will be presented. The awards presentation will take place at 2pm on the bandstand.
“This is the first year, in many years, for Simpson County Tourism to host the car show. We have changed a few minor things, but it will be similar to car shows held in the past,” said Ellis. “Hunt Ford Chrysler in Franklin has stepped up as our sponsor for the car show this year and we are excited about some of the vehicles they will be adding to the event.”
The Franklin-Simpson Cheerleaders will host a benefit pancake breakfast inside the First United Methodist Church from 7am until 10:30am.
Food trucks as well as arts and crafts vendors will also be a part of this year’s show.
“We want to make this a fun day for participants and spectators. Food and craft vendors add to the excitement of having the beautiful cars and trucks that come to be a part of the show,” Ellis said.
With this being the 60th Annual car show, two cars built during the 1960’s are featured on the T-shirts. Local artist Sabastian Poole created the design for the shirts and used a black 1969 Mustang owned by Jason Smith and a 1969 red Charger owned by Larry Fleming as the inspiration for the T-shirt design.
“The car show day in Franklin is a day for car lovers, young and old, to gather and enjoy the beautiful vehicles that are a part of the community,” Ellis said.
The celebration begins on Friday night with the traditional Cruise-In, which is hosted this year by Franklin-Simpson Renaissance. Vehicles are asked to arrive between 5pm-6:30pm and register at the North College Street and Washington Street intersection. There is no entry fee for the Cruise-In.
“We will have area non-profits selling food and a few food trucks on hand for the Cruise-In, also,” said Kim Roberts, executive director of Franklin-Simpson Renaissance. “The Cruise-In will continue until 9pm with food vendors opening at 5pm.”
This year’s Cruise-In will feature live music with The Sidewinders beginning at 7pm.
For more information about the Cruise-In or 60th Annual Franklin Car and Craft Show, go to www.visitfranklinky.com or call 270-586-3040.
-submitted by Simpson County Tourism & Franklin-Simpson Renaissance
