Downtown Franklin has much to celebrate these days, including the recently announced multimillion-dollar restoration of the historic Franklin Theatre. And if there’s anything better than strolling the picturesque streets of the Williamson County seat, it’s walking those same streets intoxicated by the smell of roasting corn (or maybe that’s horse poop) while the pavement rings with the sound of bluegrass bands and dancers. The town’s 27th annual Main Street Festival gathers more than 200 artisans and craftspeople, three stages of entertainment ranging from a Van Morrison tribute band to a jump-rope team, two food courts boasting gyros, funnel cake and anything in between, and not one but two downtown carnivals with rides for the kids. With attendance expected to top 100,000, go either early or late to avoid crowds — but being seen is the whole point, right? The festival is free; for more information, see www.historicfranklin.com.
— Jim Ridley