Franklin to tune into bluegrass

  • 2023-06-12
A special music event is coming to Franklin.

The Bluegrass Along the Harpeth festival kicked off in 1991 and has moved among several Franklin venues in the years since it was established. Most recently, its home has been the town square, which is the perfect place to honor Sam and Kirk McGee, stars of the Grand Ole Opry who were born in Franklin.

The event is organized by “old time” dancers and musicians who work in a music genre often described as a forerunner of today’s country music. Old-time music is played acoustically, usually featuring a fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo, and is a major influence on bluegrass.

Bluegrass music is the heart of the festival, with the first day devoted to performance, while the second day features contests. Performers scheduled on the opening day are Larry & Cheryl Chunn & A Step Ahead, followed by The Fiddle Man – Tim Watson.

The second day brings a series of 15 separate events for various age groups. Among these are events for mandolin players, banjo players, fiddle players, and young musicians. A bluegrass band open to all is on the schedule, and the festival ends with an all-age Appalachian flat-foot dance. Food and craft vendors will be on hand throughout the weekend.

The festival is set for July 21 and 22, on the Franklin town square. Organizers of events like this can turn to poster printing to create advertising that invites people to attend.