The Franklin Chamber of Commerce is busy gathering and updating event information for 2008. Please check back often.

January

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February

February 21 & 23 - Community Foundation Mystery Dinner Theatre. Fat Buddies Restaurant. 6:30pm. Contact 828-524-5200

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March

March 1 - Community Foundation Mystery Dinner Theatre. Fat Buddies Restaurant. 6:30pm. Contact 828-524-5200.

March 13-15 - Cinderella. Presented by The Overlook Theatre Company. FHS Fine Arts Center. 7:30pm. Adults $10 & Children $5.

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April

April 5 - Open House & Customer Appreciation Day at America's Home Place. 11 am - 2 pm. Friends and family are invited for lunch. Humane Society will have animals for adoption, Live radio remote. We are located on 441 North.

April 26 – 5th Annual Mountain Madness Duathon. Little Tennessee Greenway, 10 a.m. Duathon consists of a 4 mile run – 14 mile bike ride – 2 mile run. Register on line at SETUPEVENTS.COM or ACTIVE.COM. All proceeds benefit the Dave Linn Foundation,Inc. Call Guy Gooder for more info at (828)369-8138 or (828)421-7637.

April 26 – Prudential Markham Bankston Realtors Yard Sale and Cookout beginning at 9:00 a.m.at Prudential. This is a Relay for Life benefitl. Please come out and join us.

April 26 – Rummage/Treasure Sale at the historic T.M. Rickman General Store Saturday, April 26 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. From the most select basements, attics, and barns of our community to you, a fine collection of "antiques", art, tools, books, baskets, small furniture sporting goods, plants and more. Refreshments will be available. Located at 251 Cowee Creek Road next to Cowee Elementary School off Hwy 28 North.

April 28– Lecture and show by Pat Knoechel. A large selection of patterns and books for sale. Everyone welcome. Tartan Hall. First Presbyterian Church, 7:30 pm

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May

May 2 - Music, BBQ and Fun! Hog Wild BBQ is sponsoring a fund raising event with proceeds going to IWC Thailand Missions Trip. Entertainment featuring Fox Fire Boys, Rye Holler Boys and Mountain Faith. Food specials throughout the night. Bring your lawn chair. 6 p.m. until....

May 3 - R.E.A.C.H. Motorcycle Tri-State Poker Run & Rally Register by calling (828)369-5544 or online at reachofmaconcounty.org. Registration also available the day of the rally. Location is Franklin Ford. Next motorcycle event is planned for October 4, 2008.

May 3 - Gem and Mineral Museum Annual Grand Opening will take place on Saturday, May 3. Drop by for coffee and light snacks. The museum will open on Thursday, May 1, for the 2008 summer season. Hours of operation will be Monday thru Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. No admission charge. Contact 828-349-4224

May 9-11 - G & LW Wholesale Gem Show - Watauga Festival t -879-8832.

May 9-11 - 7th Annual Mother's Day Gemboree - Macon County Community Building U.S. 441 South of Franklin. Sponsored by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Featuring gem & minerals, fine jewelry, and more. Hours 10am to 6pm Friday & Saturday, 12noon to 5pm Sunday. Contact 800-336-7829.

May 10 - Good Stuff Auction - Bethel United Methodist Church of Franklin is having an auction May 10 at 10 am. Proceeds will go to the Family Life Center Building Fun, a place for daycare, elder care, youth ministries, and more. Preview items Friday evening 5 pm to 7 pm and Saturday 8 am until the sale. Items include antiques, collectibles, firearms, furniture, jewerly and more. Bethel Church is located at 81 Bethel Church Road (off Highlands Road).

May 17 - Nikwasi Celebration- 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nikwasi Mount and Big Bear Park. Authentic Eastern Band of Cherokee events include demonstrations, art, singing, sports and crafts. Cherokee food vendors will also be in attendance.

May 24 - WNC Trout Jamboree -Macon County Recreation Park. 10am-9pm. Entertainment, fireworks, food, crafts, games & fishing. Contact 800-336-7829. www.wnctroutjamboree.com

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June

June 13 – - Ceilidh - Scottish Musical Party and BBQ dinner. Downtown Gazebo, Franklin, NC. 6 p.m. For details call (828)524-7472 or e-mail: claire@dometrics.com

June 14 – 12th Annual Taste of Scotland – Street festival with all day entertainment, clans, authentic Scottish foods, music & dancing, Pipe & Drum Bands, parade, Border Collie emonstrations, crafts, shortbread contest, children’s Highland games and many other contests. Free Admission. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by The Friends of the Scottish Tartans Museum, Town of Franklin and the Franklin Tourism Development Committee. For details call (828)524-7472 or e-mail - claire@dometrics.com

June 14- The Ruby Ride-9:00 a.m. - Franklin Daybreak Rotary is sponsoring an 80 mile bicycle ride starting at Franklin High School parking lot and climbing to Elijay, Standing Indian, Wayah and Saldier finishing with lunch. Register on line at www.therubyride.com. Cost $60 Limited to 300 Riders

June 15- Kirkin of the Tartans - First Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Franklin, NC. 11 a.m. For details call (828)524-7472 or e-mail: claire@dometrics.com

June 19-July 6 - Always Patsy Cline - Highlands Playhouse presents its first production of the 2008 season. Shows run Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Cindy Summers captures the music of one of America's favorite entertainers. 828-526-2695

June 21 – Motown Jazz Concert - National Guard Armory. Sponsored by St. Cyprian's & St. Agnes Episcopal Churches. Doors open at 6pm. Westsound & Chad Reed. $10. Contact 828-506-3063.

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July

July 4 -Annual 4th of July Fun Day & Fireworks - Macon County Recreation Park US 441S. Contact 800-336-7829. Activities begin at 11:00am and conclude at dark with the largest fireworks display in Western North Carolina! Contact 800-336-7829 for additional information.

July 5 - Celebrate summer at the 11th Annual Sweet Corn Festival. Enjoy the best BBQ and the sweetest corn in the mountains while listening to the sounds of the Patton String Band and the Nikwasi Dulcimer Players. Also enjoy homemade pies topped with old-fashioned ice crean, fun and games for children and quality handmade crafts. The fun starts at 11 a.m. and 216 Roller Mill Road in Franklin. Just follow the signs: Hwy 64W, first exit past K-Mart, or call 828-524-4910 for more information.

July 5-6 - Mountain Artisans "Summertime" Art & Craft Show - WCU Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, N.C. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Daily. 100 of the area's finest craftsmen. For information call Doris Hunter at 828-524-3405.

July 7 - 19 - Children's Theater Classes - Hosted by The Highlands Playhouse. Monday through Friday with a perforance on Saturday, July 19. Hours are 9 am - noon for ages 6-10 and 1 pm - 4 pm for ages 11-16. The cost for the two week session is $200. 828-526-2695.

July 10 - 20 - On Golden Pond- The Highlands Playhouse presents On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson. This play tells the touching story of a couple in the twilight years of their marriage. Shows Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. 828-526-2695

July 18 & 19 - 5th Annual Franklin Folk Festival - A celebration of Appalachian heritage in Downtown Franklin. Over 40 living exhibits of authentic mountain living, food, entertainment and more. Contact 828-369-7411. Food Vendors contact 828-524-0476. Sponsored by Franklin Heritage Association.

July 18 & 19 - Early Farm Days Antique Engine & Tractor Show - Macon County Fair Grounds - U.S. 441 South.

July 19 - 28th Annual Singing in the Valley, sponsored by the Cowee Volunteer Fire and Rescue Auxiliary, held at the community center on Ruby Mine Rd. in Cowee from 6-10 pm. Hosted by the Gospel Mountaineers of Franklin, NC, guests include Kingdom Heirs from Augusta, GA, Dendy Family, Franklin, NC, and Blood Brought Quartet from Asheville. Concessions,featuring a BBQ dinner, will be sold at this otherwise free concert.

July 24-27 - 43rd Annual Macon County Gemboree. Macon County Community Building US 441S. Contact 800-336-7829. One of the largest and oldest gem & mineral shows in the southeast. Sponsored by the Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Hours 10am to 6pm Thursday-Saturday; Sunday 11a.m. - 5 p.m.

July 24-27 - G & LW Wholesale Gem Show. Watauga Festival Center, U.S. Highway 441 North of Franklin. Wholesale gems & jewelry. Open 10am to 6pm Daily - 10am to 3pm Sunday. Contact 601-879-8832 for additional information.

July 24 - August 10 - The Highlands Playhouse 70th Anniversary Salute to Broadway - Celebrating our anniverary with highlights of our most popular productions. DaMon Goff and Sam Dunaway researched, wrote and arranged some of the best and most memorable songs from our past including songs from South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Annie and Fiddler on the Roof to mention a few. Shows Tuesday through Saturday 8 pm and Sunday matinee at 2 pm. 828-526-2695

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August

August 2 - An Evening of Art & Chocolate presented by the Zonta Club of Franklin. Rabun County Civic Center - 7:00 p.m. Contact 828-524-3161 for details.

August 7-9 - "Smoky Mountain Traditions" presented by the Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild.

August 9 - 12th Annual Smoky Mountain Shrimp Boil to benefit Macon County Habitat for Humanity. All you can eat boiled shrimp and lots of other goodies. Call 828-369-3716 for information.

August 14 & 31 - Inherit the Wind - The Highlands Playhouse closes their season with "Inherit the Wind", a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee. The death of Clarence Darrow in 1938 closed a chapter in this story of one of America's most fascinating trials. Shows Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday Matinees at 2 pm. 828-526-2695

August 15 & 16 - " Business Showcase 2008" - presented by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Hours 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Macon County Community Building, U.S. 441 South of Franklin. Call 828.524.3161 for additional information.

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September

September 6- Gem Capital Auto Club 22nd Annual Car Show - Macon County Fairgrounds. Show registration 8 a.m. Contact 828-349-0945 or 828-524-0777.

September 6- David Holt Live - Renown Folk Musician and Storyteller. Franklin High School Fine Arts Center, 7 - 9:30 p.m. Contact Land Trust for the Little Tennessee (828) 524-2711.

September 17 to 20 – 54th Annual Macon County Fair. Macon County Fair Grounds, Hwy 441S. Contact 828-524-3267.

September 26 to 28 -4th Annual Highlands Playhouse Antique Show. Highlands Recreation Park with a preview party September 25th.

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October

October 9 - 11- Autumn Leaves Craft Show - Macon County Fair Grounds U.S. 441 South of Franklin. Thursday & Friday 10a.m. to 5p.m., Saturday 10a.m. to 4p.m. Contact Joan Ledford for details at 828-524-7384.

October 16-18 - 16th Annual Smoky Mountain Art & Craft Fest will be held from 10am to 5pm daily at the Macon County Fair Grounds - featuring 80 of the finest and most unique Artisans ; live music; great food & over 100 free door prizes donated by the Artists and Crafters. Contact Laurie Keneipp for additional information at 828-524-6630.

October 17-19 - 19th Annual Leaf Looker's Gemboree- The hills are alive with more than fall color as gem & mineral dealers from across the United States converge on Franklin to sell their wares. Sponsored by the Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Hours 10am to 6pm Friday & Saturday, 12 noon to 5pm Sunday. Call 800-336-7829 for information.

October 24 & 25– 12th Annual Pumpkin Fest – 10/24 - 3 to 9 p.m. on Highlands Road - Hayrides, After School Treats for the kids, Street Dance all in East Franklin Shopping Center. 10/25 Street festival along Main Street & crafts with lots of contests, autumnal decorations with all day entertainment, Pumpkin Roll down Phillips Street, costume parade & contest, pumpkin cooking contest, pumpkin decorating contest, scarecrows & more. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Town of Franklin, Franklin Main Street Program and Franklin Tourism Development Committee. Contact 828-524-0476.

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November

November 28 & 29, 2008 - "Mistletoe Magic Holiday Art & Craft Show" - Macon Community Building. Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information call Laurie Keneipp at 828-524-6630.

November 28 & 29, 2008 - Mountain Artisans "Hard Candy Christmas" Art & Craft Show. WCU Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, N.C. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Daily. 100 of the area's finest craftsmen. For information call Doris Hunter at 828-524-3405.

November 30, 2008 - 3:00 p.m. - Annual Franklin Christmas Parade - Through the streets of downtown Franklin. Call the Franklin Chamber for information at 828-524-3161.

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December

December 5, 2008- Window Wonderland - Victorian Holiday Celebration along townhill in Franklin. Featuring "live" window displays of the season, carolers and other sounds of the season, carriage rides, refreshments and more! The first two Fridays after Thanksgiving.Contact 828-524-0476. www.franklinwindowwonderland.com

December 12, 2008- Window Wonderland - Victorian Holiday Celebration along townhill in Franklin. Featuring "live" window displays of the season, carolers and other sounds of the season, carriage rides, refreshments and more! The first two Fridays after Thanksgiving. Contact 828-524-0476. www.franklinwindowwonderland.com

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