I'm writing this from an artist's perspective. I participated in this show years ago, and at one…read moretime it was truly excellent. Local residents showed up in droves and genuinely valued -- and purchased -- handmade work. I made five to $7000 twenty years ago. Unfortunately, the show has changed significantly. It now draws large crowds, many of whom appear to be bused in from outside the area. While attendance is high, sales are not. The loyal local audience seems to have been pushed out by the increased congestion, and many no longer attend. Equally disappointing is the noticeable decline in handmade goods. Walking the show this year, I spoke with several talented artists who shared that they struggled to cover even their basic expenses and do not plan to return. It's a real shame that the show has declined like it has. It used to be a beautiful show and Franklin is a nice town.

I paid almost $500 for a booth at Main Street Festival. They put my booth location on 4th street…read more We had a fraction of the traffic on main and there were food trucks on the corner of main & 4th with lines that blocked entrance to our booths. The quality of booths on main looked like flea market vendors. What a waste of time and money

I got the attend the Blackberry Jam Music Fest and our group enjoyed it so much! Great local flair…read moreand some awesome bluegrass music and bands. BYOB and roll out a picnic blanket and you're all set. They have a slew of food trucks during the performances as well as Italian ice. Kids and dogs are welcome, and they have a few lawn games to play to pass any time between sets.

In 2022, 85 championship teams from across the world convened in Lynchburg, TN to compete for the…read morecoveted title of "The Jack Grand Champion," and judging by their website the Grand Champion team receives a $25K check - not bad!!! my husband and I completed our training and received our Kansas City Barbecue Society [KCBS] BBQ judge's certification and were excited to attend [not judge but attend] our first BBQ competition! It's held annually in October and is such a lovely drive up to Lynchburg! Gary N did a great job of accurately capturing the "feel" of the event in his numerous photos posted here! There are a lot of vendors set up for this event selling eats, t-shirts, and more. There's a large, covered pavilion where the judging happens, and spectators can watch from bleachers. I don't recall the number of judges but I do recall at least one local "celebrity" newscaster among the judges. The Styrofoam containers for judging are deftly prepared and rushed to the judging area with immense intensity - it really is something to watch, and the "food runner" will scream at you to "get out of the way" if they need to! Others referenced free samples, which wasn't the case on our visit, except for the international area. No guests/visitors get samples of the competition BBQ to my knowledge. If you want lunch, you'll need to get something from the vendors. However, the international area competitors did offer us ample samples of their BBQ. They were all very friendly, too! The competition area is fairly spread out, so wear comfortable shoes and the entryway is sloped, so there's that. It's free as far as I know, and everyone should attend at least one championship BBQ competition - the Jack Daniels event is a well-run, fun one to attend.

The damp weather did not effect the day much, but you had to come prepared. One of the best things…read moreof this event is the Fall Peak colors as you drive in from any direction. Coming from Chattanooga area we chose to take the scenic drive down the old highway from Monteagle through Sewanee. As you arrive into town you can start seeing the smoke and smelling the BBQ. This is a very small town but everyone seems to be selling parking. $5-$10 mostly. We parked very close to downtown. The square is fully covered with tents and vendors as you walk in, live country music is playing. All the downtown shops are open and plenty to explore and see in the town. However, food is in our mind and we continue down to the food tents and competition area. Lots of free samples, but I did not see any from the competitors which was a disappointment. But still plenty to see and try. They also have food instructions, vendor demos, Etc I do wish they would move this so it is not the same weekend as Tennessee vs Alabama. We left early to catch the game as I am sure many do. At the least put a big screen up for the crowd. Lynchburg is a great small town and one you should visit. Jack Daniels is a short walk and free tour. Great day.

The Middle TN District Fair is held every September in Rotary Park. The Lawrenceburg Rotary Club…read moresponsors the fair and puts a lot of time and effort into the event. The fair has won several awards and is consistently one of the best in TN. Good midway & exhibit halls. I don't attend the motor sports, but they do have several nights of the Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Motorcycle/ATV races. Many people in the county enjoy the Fairest of the Fair pageants and the concerts. Recommend getting a funnel cake with lots of sugar on top.

Recent TN Fair held here found scam run by Wyndham Resorts Timeshares and approved by Rotary fair…read moreofficials. For all that entered name in contest at booth to win Kawasaki ATV...well you won't. You will, however, get a call from Wyndham Timeshares. The ATV was for display purposes only. They could have displayed a Ferrari or Learjet for all that mattered. No difference in the fine print. Rotary folks don't think you need to be told that. If you couldn't figure out that it was just a scam and didn't read the fine print, you deserve some telemarketing calls. Lots of mad fair-goers called Wyndham on the spot and even spoke to Rotary officials onsite who just shrugged their shoulders and walked away. Hey, a buck's a buck. Nothing like integrity.

Could the Festival of Lights at Franklin measure up to the description in the paper? The only way…read moreto find out would be to ride through and see, so that we did. This Christmas light display supports a charity- FrankTown Open Hearts. Once through the gate, we kinda got lost- my wife drove over a traffic cone and killed it. Some creative person put a of thought into this display. For example, an English folk song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, stretched twelve days worth of displays of moving lights along the twisting road. Another, the Elf's Workshop, was an explosion of moving colored parts. Really beautiful. Can't forget the Wise Men and their big, glumping camels. There were these displays and a whole lot more. I recommend that everyone come to the Ag Center to see these lights...just don't kill any traffic cones like we did. Five stars for the Festival of Lights.

wasn't really feeling it yanno…read more not too bad overall I came here Christmas Day around 7p. There were no lines so that's nice. Went to a couple others in TN and in OH, this is going to sound hella snobby lol, they had synced lights, cool tunnels, the whole 9. This one has to up its game for sure.

Not only is this the best farm I've ever been to, it is the most life changing thing I have ever…read moreexperienced. I met someone there, someone very special, who goes by the name Roman. Roman Wade to be exact. If you've ever been to Lucky Ladd Farm and didn't meet Roman Wade, you missed out on one of the greatest human experiences the place has to offer. This isn't just a review. This is a tribute -- to a man whose presence turns a simple farm visit into something unforgettable. Roman Wade doesn't just run the cash register -- he runs the room. With a smile that could outshine the Tennessee sun and a vibe so genuinely warm it makes sweet tea taste bitter in comparison, Roman instantly makes every guest feel like family. Kids adore him, parents trust him, and coworkers look up to him. He's got the rare talent of making a transaction feel like a conversation you've waited all week to have. Then there's the gem mining station. Roman doesn't just help you sift through dirt -- he helps you uncover treasure. Whether it's the look in a kid's eyes when they find their first ruby or the way he hypes up a glittering quartz like it's the Hope Diamond, Roman brings joy to every moment. He makes everyone -- everyone -- feel like they struck gold. Behind the scenes, he's just as good. Dependable. Hardworking. Kind. He's the type of guy who shows up early, stays late, helps others without being asked, and treats every guest like they're the reason the farm exists. You can tell he doesn't just work at Lucky Ladd -- he believes in it. And that belief shows up in everything he does. In a world full of average service and forgettable interactions, Roman Wade is a rare gem -- authentic, joyful, and full of heart. He is the heartbeat of Lucky Ladd Farm, and once you've met him, you'll understand why people don't just leave with pumpkins or rocks -- they leave with memories, stories, and the lasting impression of a man who made their day better. Roman Wade isn't just good at his job. He's legendary.

I love giving a 5 star but I couldn't here. Let's start with why it got 3. Lots of farm style…read morethings for kids to explore! There is a lot to do any season. Butttttt. Bathrooms yall. This is a family park and family's gotta use the bathroom. They only have port o John's. That's fine for a county fair but for a year round experience they should have more options. Also they only have 1 way out in the parking lot to use until you check in. The line during the fall is massive and 1 doesn't cut it. I love the animals but it felt a bit more tiger king to me at points. I didn't understand the other non farm animals. The reservation system while in practice is nice needs work. We went during a busy time of year and didn't know we had to make a reservation until we got to the front of the line. That was 30 minutes in the heat with 3 toddlers. I get that it is on their website but it is not will shown. We heard multiple people also complain that they came and couldn't get in. Maybe a sign in the parking lot, reservations required with a QR code. I wouldn't make the the drive. But your kids most likely would like it.

GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!…read more The Dickens of a Christmas Festival is the largest Christmas Festival in Middle, TN. It is held during the second weekend in December in Franklin, TN and is now in its 33rd year. This festival is a recreation of the Charles Dickens era using historic downtown Franklin's Victorian architecture as the backdrop. You will see several Dickens characters, (Fagin, Scrooge, Oliver Twist, Bob and Tiny Tim Cratchit and many more), come to life and walk among the festival visitors. I really liked the Victorian Mr. and Mrs. Clause because they "slayed" in their Victorian garb. I loved seeing the various characters and appreciated their willingness to pose for photos. There was an endless number of vendors selling everything from holiday décor items to jewelry, food, clothing, unique gift items and more. The most impressive aspect of this festival was the phenomenal talent throughout. There was a main stage that featured dancers but throughout the festival, you would encounter other performers such violinists, a guitarist with his wife as soloist, a guy giving us a soulful perspective of Christmas and more that I just couldn't see because I couldn't be everywhere at once. Curses! The cloggers and Irish dancers were great, the young violinists were spot on and unbelievable but the most emotional and "heart felt" performance for me was by Radio Farm. They performed traditional Christmas music that really spoke to the true meaning of Christmas, (the birth of Jesus), and it was just beautifully done. I really love strings because they represent the purest form of music and they always take me to a place of peace and stillness. It was like listening to a renowned recording artist and reminded me of the woman with one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard: The late Karen Carpenter. It was a very cold day and I really appreciated the vendors, performers, city workers and volunteers who committed to making this a great festival. YES, THIS WAS A NICE FESTIVAL BUT: I would love to have been able to purchase a tee commemorating this year's event. They did have very nice mugs which I purchased but a long sleeve tee would have been great as well. Since it is predictable that visitors will be coming in very early and will want to eat breakfast, it would be nice to see a couple of "breakfast specific" food trucks added to the mix. There were only two breakfast restaurants and they were packed before the festival even started. The few food trucks that were open were selling fried foods and corndogs. No thanks. There is a historic theater in downtown Franklin and I think that it would be the perfect venue for hosting classic movies based on Dickens's stories the week of the festival. It would certainly get me in the mood! If you want to see Historic Downtown Franklin, this is not the time because all of those beautiful historic shops and buildings are blocked by tents and vendors. You also have the crazy crowds that make it impossible to get a real feel for the town. I have added an extra festival-free day to my itinerary so that I can freely explore the downtown area without being impeded. I was able to get a small glimpse of Franklin during the festival and it was enough to get me excited for a more thorough visit. This is a great family festival and a cool way to end the year. I am so glad that we decided to visit Franklin during this time.

We had just moved back to TN and decided to go see this for something to do. It was fantastic and…read moreI'm decidedly upset about missing this years. Ive now learned it's the second weekend in December...every year. There are all kinds of arts and crafts, the costumed performers and carolers were fantastic and had really nice, (expensive) costumes! The stage performer we saw was a lone singer and she was fabulous as well. We also arrived during lunch and inside at an Irish Pub, also fantastic if you didn't mind sharing the table. Franklin is a fairly small town and a lot of people come to see this event of ours. Seating is premium. Lots of good things to see- looms and old time metal working. Great way to spend an afternoon! Dogs welcome! Food trucks a plenty for meals and sweets! Kettle corn, yum!

Something to do. Beer garden was meh. Nothing worth eating in this town other than fast food and…read moreMexican restaurants.

So, a couple of late springs ago, I was eager to get out of the house. I thought that I knew what…read morestir crazy was (ha). The answer was soon (and so so much later) to come. When walking around the block was no longer sufficient to satisfy my 'getting out' needs, I... went online and bought my strawberries remotely. Fruit picking from April to October has always been something I've enjoyed about the area and knowing that that pastime was going to stay in the past, I pivoted -- as did the folks at Batey Farms. I've been north, south, west, and east in my search for fresh produce outside of Nashville. Surprising to me, I had yet to go to Batey Farms. I think I'd planned on going with a friend who lived in the area but we put it off thinking we had plenty of time to do it later. Oh, box of plagues and troubles that was opened lo so many years ago (at this point)... you never fail to disappoint and stress. So, I wanted strawberries. I wanted fresh strawberries. I didn't want to buy overpriced strawberries from the supermarket that were coated in pesticides. I didn't have a lot of choices. Many u-pick farms were shut down and discombobulated. Thankful that someone in the Batey family is a crafty zoomer (millennials are old/40s now; youth is new), they had a system in play. Go online. Pick the amount of berries you want. Pay. Arrange a pick-up time. Drive to the farm. Sit in queue. Verify your order with a number. Pop the trunk. Deliver berries. Leave. Granted, a lot of the fun of local produce is spending time outside and picking the best berries but some things can't be helped. I was just grateful that someone thought up a workable system. One caveat, though: the ordering system was/is a bit Mad Maxish. Berries sold out. Fast. Think of it as a berry version of trying to snag seats at the Bluebird. Don't wait until the last minute or think the first time out will satisfy your itch. Patience is definitely a virtue.; that and expert internet-fu. I ordered. I hit the road on a Sunday afternoon. I enjoyed a leisurely drive. I drove through a neighborhood. I arrived to orderly chaos. I gave my number. I popped the trunk. I got my berries. I left. Super efficient process. No (reasonable) complaints. I drove home and studied my berries. I had a fair amount of 'I would have picked these' berries so no (fair) complaints. There's nothing like the real thing but as we've learned -- and, are still learning -- to get through life one must pivot. Strawberries makes doing so all the sweeter. And, to be all the way truthful, if I could remotely pick my berries I think I might prefer this system. This year, we'll see if I can resume the hunt. If not, at least I know how to scratch my itch. Locally.

Came here with the family and picked strawberries. The staff was very helpful and nice. The prices…read moreare very reasonable, especially for the reality of knowing where they are coming from. I'd suggest anyone to come check it out!