Fireworks, local musicians to headline SummerFest 2019 this Saturday

(Franklin, GA) — The Heard County Chamber of Commerce is excited to continue the tradition of SummerFest on the square in downtown Franklin this Saturday, July 6.

Charles Hudgins will perform at 7:30 PM Saturday night (Photo: Charlie Hudgins on Facebook)

Folks, young and old, are invited to come out once again and enjoy great food, good music, a street dance, and some fantastic fireworks with no admission charge and free parking.

This family-friendly festival will provide a wide array of foods that will surely tantalize your taste buds.

Funnel cakes, BBQ, ice cream, snow cones, hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey legs, philly cheese steak, kabobs, and donuts are some of the many foods that will be available during the festival.

The square in beautiful downtown Franklin, GA will be sizzling as it highlights local area talent.

From 5:00 PM till 6:30 PM entertained will be provided by Hunter Flanagan. Hunter has been featured at Mill Town music hall and Six Flags.

He also won second in the 2017 Ga Country teen talent search at Sixes Tavern in Cartersville, and he won 2018 Georgia Country Awards Teen Artist of the Year.

At 7:00 PM we will be entertained by Josh Purgason from Franklin. Josh was recently featured on 11 Alive news.

At 7:30 PM local singer/songwriter, Charlie Hudgins and his band, will perform. Charlie is a native of Heard County and will entertaining the crowd with some of his own songs, such as “One Red Light”, “You’re Gonna Make Me Miss Summer”, “Summer in the South” and “Good Time.”  These three artists perform all over the Southeast, and are keeping true to their roots by playing for SummerFest 2019.

Charlie Hudgins will be performing on the square at the same location where he filmed the popular music video for “One Red Light,” a song he also wrote. Hudgins says his upbringing in the Heard County community was the inspiration for the song about small towns. (See the video below)

“When I wrote one red light, I was thinking about my hometown, and how blessed I was to be raised in Franklin,” said Hudgins this week. “And Even though it’s not the perfect or ideal place to live for most — it was crucial to sculpting me into who I am today.”

One of the more entertaining aspects of SummerFest 2019 will be the watermelon eating contest sponsored by the Piggly Wiggly at 6:30 PM. Franklin’s finest watermelon eaters will compete for a chance to win cash prizes and perhaps most importantly — bragging rights.

SummerFest begins at 5 p.m. on the square with a variety of vendor booths and the fireworks display will be presented over the Chattahoochee River at around 9:30 PM.

Following the fireworks, folks are encouraged to stick around for some dancing under the stars. Disc jockey Rick Gore will be playing today’s music and more during a street dance until 11:00 PM.

Franklin Police Chief Kevin Hannah will lead a large security team as the downtown area welcomes its largest influx of people each year. The event has experienced very few problems over the past few years, but Chief Hannah encourages patience from festival goers as they deal with parking, traffic, and the large crowds.

Parking will be available near the Old Recreation department and Hannah says that parking up at the high school is a good option for those that don’t mind the short walk to town.

Chamber director Melinda Brown is thankful for the sponsors and other organizations that make the annual event possible.

“The Heard County Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Board of Directors would like to thank all of the many sponsors whom have come together to support this event for the community,” says Brown.

“Special thanks to Rivers Edger Waterjet Technologies of Franklin for stepping up to be the Event Sponsor this year. Also, thank you to The Heard County Board of Commissioners, The City of Franklin, The Development Authority, Chamber Millennium Club Members, Georgia Container & Portable Toilets of Georgia, LLC, Carroll EMC, Oglethorpe Power, Piggly Wiggly of Franklin, Representative Randy Nix, John Thornton Cadillac, Georgia Power, Coweta-Fayette EMC, Diverse Power, Heard County Concrete, Five Star Manufactured Homes, Inc., Metro West Realty, and Southern A & E, LLC for sponsoring SummerFest 2019.”