28th Annual Pumpkinfest Fills Franklin’s Main Street Oct. 29, 2011

Two stages of continuous entertainment are part of this Saturday’s 28th annual Pumpkinfest event on Franklin’s Historic Main Street. Most activities of the free street festival are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the Battle of the BBQ tent on 3rd Ave. N. continuing until 9 p.m. as does the entertainment and stage on Main street this year!

In addition to Saturday’s activities, there is a new Memphis BBQ Network-sanctioned contest underway on 4th Avenue South.   Near the BBQ site is another popular feature of Pumpkinfest with the “Grave Matters: The Stories Behind the Stones” tours Saturday night, Oct. 29, at the Old City Cemetery and Rest Haven Cemetery from 7 to 9 p.m.

The street festival of Pumpkinfest is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Franklin’s Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenues.
Activities of Pumpkinfest include:
The Third Avenue South Kids’ Area filled with fun activities for young children from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.
The Battle of the BBQ Peoples’ Choice tent on 3rd Ave. N. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to taste pulled pork (at $5) or ribs ($1 per bone) and vote for favorites.
The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off on Fourth Avenue North from 10:30 to 3:30 Oct. 29. Tickets to taste chili from local organizations and restaurants will be available for $5 at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Main during the event.
Fall and holiday arts and crafts around the Public Square from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 60 vendors will be displaying hand-crafted items perfect for fall and the holidays.
Cemetery Tours 7 to 9 p.m. Halloween night. Participants will walk from tombstone to tombstone at the Historic Resthaven cemetery on North Margin Street, hearing from costumed re-enactors about the people who are buried in certain graves. Tickets are $15 per person for adults, $5 for children, but the activity is not recommended for children under 6. Tickets are available from www.franklinonfoot.com and at the Heritage Foundation. Participants should bring a flashlight and wear close-toe shoes.
Costume Contest starts at 3 p.m. at the Five Points stage.  It’s $1 for each entry and categories are pets, children ages 0-5, ages 6-13 and 14+. Enter at the headquarters tent on the Public Square between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Here’s the schedule of events for the two stages for 2011

BBQ/Beer Tent Stage
Location:  4th Avenue South

5pm – 6:45pm – Peter Pandemic
A great vocal group that takes you back to harmonies and songs from the 60’s & 70’s. Popular at local Franklin Venue’s for over 2 years.
(NOTE: DUE TO A CRITICAL ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY PETER PANDEMIC WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM. WE WISH THEM THE BEST AND HOPE TO SEE THEM SOON.)

6pm – 9pm – The ConSoulers
The ConSoulers made their debut in May 2009 and this Nashville, TN. based band has been collecting fans from all over ever since.

Heineken 5 Points Stage
Saturday October 29th
Location: Main Street/5 Points

9:50 a.m. – Pull Tight Players – “Monster Mayhem Dance Routine”

10:00 a.m. - Franklin School of Performing Arts

10:50 a.m. – Pull Tight Players – “Monster Mayhem Dance Routine”

11:00 a.m. - All That Dance

11:30 a.m. – Prima Performance

Noon – Waste Management – Elvis

12:10 – Scott Ellis School of Dance

1 p.m. – Kristin Butke School of Irish Dance

2 p.m. - Tommy Jackson’s Rocky Top Revue

2:50 p.m. – Pull Tight Players – “Monster Mayhem Dance Routine”

3 p.m. – Waste Management - Elvis

3:10 p.m. - Costume Contest

3:50 p.m. – Pull Tight Players – “Monster Mayhem Dance Routine”

4 p.m. – Obrien School of Dance

4:50 p.m. – Waste Management Elvis

5 p.m. - “50’s Music” – “The Fabulous Suede’s”
The Fabulous Suede’s play "feel good music, for good feelin' times." Randy Moore and the Fabulous Suede’s have that Southern Blues sounding thing in their music, you can hear the “50’s” sound of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and of course the legendary Carl Perkins. Currently, the Fabulous Suede’s are working with world renown record producer Norbert Putnam (Jimmy Buffett, Dan Fogelberg, John Hiatt). Look for their new CD sometime in the near future.
VOTED NASHVILLE'S BEST BAND by The Tennessean's Readers Poll

6:00 p.m. - “60’s Music” – “Sixty Four Band”
SixtyFour are five smarmy music industry charlatans who just enjoy recreating the music that got them wanting to play in the first place. A Franklin regular, this band draws a crowd everywhere they go.

7:00 p.m. - “70’s Music” - “Emy and the Soul Survivor’s”
Emy & the Soul Survivors started when a group of top notch Nashville musicians decided to create a new band that specializes in Soul, Blues, R&B and Funk music. With 30+ years of combined experience in numerous musical genres, Emy and the Soul Survivors bring an exciting musical experience that really packs a punch - always a good time that leaves you wanting more.

8:00 p.m. - “80’s Music” – “SASS”
Their music is todays sounding 80's rock & roll and rhythm & blues. The songs are selected and performed to make the audience want to boogie. On stage, there's a fresh spirit of teamwork and professionalism with one goal in mind . . . let the crowd have a good time. Complete with eight musicians and singers! ( 3 Female Vocalists, saxophone, and a 4 Piece Rhythm Section) Needless to say, the level of excitement is exceptional.
The members of “SASS” have entertained and partied with audiences at Disney World; Disney Land; President Reagan's Inaugural Ball, Olympic Ski Team Celebrity Classic; Park City,Utah (Television coverage and aired nationally by ESPN); Harrahs, Lake Tahoe; Palamino Club, Hollywood, CA; Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Miami, New Orleans, Detroit, Myrtle Beach, Nashville and many more too numerous to mention! This is a show you won’t want to miss.


BBQ/Beer Tent Stage
Location: 4th Avenue South

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. - Announcements & CD’s playing

1:30 p.m. – "Pork McElhinny"
     George 'Pork' McElhinny is not just a great singer...he is also a great songwriter and an amazing world class guitarist. When Pork takes the stage he puts his heart and soul into every song he sings. He has the magical ability to draw the audience into the show and make every song come to life. When he leaves the stage Pork takes the love and adoration of his audience with him. Most of Pork’s shows are simply the man and his guitar. But when the voice and the music burst forth, the audience is astounded and amazed by the sheer magnitude of the one man experience.

4:00p.m. - “Brian Ashley Jones”
     Raised in a musical family in upstate South Carolina, Brian Ashley Jones had constant access to new influences and various forms of expression. Ultimately, his guitar and songwriting are the vehicles that took him to Nashville, TN. From there, he travels far and wide as he strives to always play, sing, and write better than the day before!
A true Americana artist, Jones continues to be inspired by the versatility of the genre and to incorporate elements of Country, Blues and Bluegrass into a cohesive sound that serves the song as well as improvisational exploration.

7:00 p.m. – "Roux du Bayou Cajun Band"
Roux du Bayou Cajun Band plays authentic cajun, zydeco, swamp pop, mardi gras music. The band can also incorporate some select style music from Oldies, Rock n Roll, R&B and vintage country. Their high energy style has brought them repeated engagements at a variety of quality venues across the country. The band has been together for 13yrs. Roux du Bayou received the prestigious 2010 award, 1st Runner Up in the category Prix de Hors Nous best Cajun band outside of Louisiana from the Cajun French Music Association.

9 p.m. – Stage Close

On The Street/Square

4 p.m. “1910 - 40’s Music” – “Jack’s Dixieland Band”
Members from “Jack Daniel’s Silver Cornet Band” perform Dixieland classics from the 1940’s and earlier, dressed in costumes from the era. An extremely talented and entertaining group that has entertained audiences throughout the United States.


Zia Music Production,LLC