The organizers for the 80s Flashback Weekend came to the Franklin Town Council meeting Monday night to give a brief report and offer thanks for the town’s support of the two-day event, held Aug. 2 and 3.
Founder and executive Director Dave Linn said donations are still coming in and there are expenses to pay, so they have not calculated a total yet for the fundraiser, which benefits Shriners Children’s Hospital. Linn said in the past year, the hospital served 25 Macon County patients and over the years has served 127 patients from the county. The donation from the fundraiser will take place in September.
Linn is a former patient of the Shriners Children’s hospitals in Greenville and Tampa. “I chose the Greenville hospital because that was where my journey began to make me ‘handicapable.’” Linn said. He said through the care he received at the hospital and the blessings of God he was able to break through many barriers and overcome challenges.
By all accounts this year’s event was the biggest and best year yet. “Overall, in general, everybody had a blast. The visitors love the area.” Linn told the Town Council. “We’re looking forward to 2025. We’re hoping we have your blessing for 2025.”
In past years the event was held at Lazy Hiker and Currahee breweries, but after last year’s record crowds and expecting an even larger crowd this year for the 10-year celebration, the events were moved downtown to accommodate more people. The move downtown also came as the town approved its social district and this was the first large-scale event since the district opened in June. A social district is a designated outdoor area where people can consume alcoholic beverages.
Town Manager Amie Owens said there were no issues related to alcohol consumption in the social district during the events. The 80s Weekend event organizers purchased special green social district cups for the event. The cups were purchased from the town’s approved vendor and included the required social district logo. The cups sold for $5 per cup with proceeds going to the fundraiser. People who wanted to purchase one of the social district cups were checked for age/identification as they entered the event area. Alcohol for consumption in the social district must be sold in the specified cups. The regular cup is off-white and includes the Franklin social district logo on it.
The move downtown also created a new street party-type atmosphere for the event. A large stage with lights and video screens was set up on Iotla Street for the Friday and Saturday night concerts. Food trucks and beverage vendors lined Main Street, which was closed to vehicular traffic both nights allowing people to walk around downtown and sit in their chairs while listening to the music and watching the parade.
Linn said about 53 people attended the first year and they raised $500. It is estimated at least 2,500 people attended this year. The 2023 event raised $27,000. “This year, we’re probably going to do a lot more than we expected,” Linn said. “We’re still getting donations in left and right.”
Shriners Children’s spokesperson Kaleb came from Montreal, Canada, and was grand marshal of the parade. “[He] loved every minute of it,” Linn said, adding that Kaleb’s mother commented how much better the streets are here and that the area is cleaner than Montreal.
Joe Griffith, an advisor for the event, said he spoke with a man who has come from Texas for four years to attend the 80s Flashback Weekend. A couple from Ohio happened to be in town during 80s Flashback Weekend two years ago and planned their vacation for the event this year.
During her report Monday night, 80s Flashback Weekend board president Tracy Griffith thanked the Franklin Police Department, Gio Hernandez from maintenance, Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey, the Franklin Fire Department, Town Manager Amie Owens. In speaking about Hernandez, Griffith said, “He was amazing. He was so much fun; he worked so hard, and he was there both nights.”
Town staff members were on hand throughout the events assisting with set-up, maintenance, crowd control and other tasks.
“I am overwhelmed and exhausted, but so grateful for all the help and thank you all for your support,” Griffith said.
Linn thanked those who helped with the event this year as in past years he and his wife ran the event. “This is the first year ever I was able to sit back and enjoy it,” Linn said. “It was amazing. I was overwhelmed to see how many people came out.”
Guffey thanked the group for all they do to put on the event, for continuing to hold it in Franklin and for all they do to support Children’s Hospital.
“It shows that we’ve got a small town, but we’ve got a big heart,” Guffey said.