For the past three decades, the Town of Franklin, North Carolina has sponsored and hosted free Saturday night fun for the whole family on Main Street. On the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, from May to October, Pickin’ on the Square takes place at the Gazebo in front of the courthouse. A popular tradition for both locals and visitors alike, the event is more than just a concert. It’s an opportunity for folks to come together, enjoy some wholesome music, make new friends, and embrace the small-town charm of Franklin.
What is Pickin’ on the Square?
Pickin’ on the Square started out as a summer concert series and, over time, turned into a family-friendly music festival right in the middle of Downtown Franklin. Couples, families, and friends bring their own lawn chairs and place them all over the square to get a good view of the entertainment. The series offers a wide variety of music genres including Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, R&B, Oldies, and more. In addition, food trucks and other vendors often station up around the perimeter to provide specialty snacks and beverages to attendees throughout the event.
There’s More To Do!
If you arrive a bit before the concert, you can set up your chairs to save your spot and then go check out some of the Main Street stores before closing time. Trail Mix is right on the corner by the Gazebo and offers an eclectic mix of fun gifts, books, and toys. Next, you can’t possibly walk past A Novel Escape bookstore without stopping in to pet the Golden Retriever named Brody, who is always waiting anxiously by the door to greet visitors. And just before it’s time to take your seats for the concert, you can visit Main Street Coffee & Yogurt to create your own decadent dessert bowl filled with different flavors of frozen yogurt and various toppings to enjoy while you tap your feet.
And the Fun Keeps Going
After the fun and excitement of the concert, those who want to keep the night alive can walk a few doors down to Gracious Plates on Main. This restaurant serves dinner and cocktails until 9 pm on Saturdays and is known as “The Best Farm-to-Table Experience in Franklin.” And after that, anyone who still just can’t bring themselves to go home yet can venture around the corner to the Rathskeller Coffee Bar & Pub, where they have craft drinks and live music until 10 pm on Saturday nights.
Pickin’ on the Square is the perfect, family-friendly entertainment for a Saturday night in Franklin. It takes place just a short 5-minute drive or about a 10-minute walk from Sanctuary Village. The artist line-up for 2023 has not yet been released, but when it is, interested visitors and locals will be able to find it at the link below: