Macon County and the Town of Franklin will join the America 250 Celebration with two days of festivities, July 3 and 4.
Friday, July 3, 2026
Parker Meadows Athletic Events
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Whiffle Ball Tournament
Kickball Tournament
Float and Run Event
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
Watermelon eating contest 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
+ Bounce houses, fire trucks, train rides, food trucks
Concert on the Square
Jason Passmore (6-8 p.m.) and Rock Holler (8-10 p.m.)
Free admission
Gazebo on Main Street
Food trucks
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Main Street, Franklin
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- 11 a.m. Parade (lineup begins at 10:30 in the lower parking lot at Town Hall). Get dressed up in your most patriotic outfit and walk or drive down Main Street. No registration required.
- 11:30 a.m. – Little Mr. and Miss Firecracker Contest at the gazebo. Open to ages 3 to 6. Judged on patriotic costume and one question. No registration required.
- 11:45 a.m. Patriotic Pet Contest at the gazebo. No registration required.
- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Inflatables along Main Street.
- After the parade: Free watermelon and bottled water while supplies last.
- Noon – Franklin Fire & Rescue water feature on Phillips Street.
Food court: Ben’s Backdraft BBQ, Blessed Soul, Kona Ice, Franklin Fire hot dogs, and more.
Info: franklinnc.com of 828-524-2516
Macon County Rec Park
4-10 p.m.
Food trucks, live music, face painting, inflatables (bounce house, slide and more), tie dyeing, fairy hair, re-enactors, cornhole, historical games and activities presented by the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County.
Music lineup
4 p.m. Blue Jazz
5:05 p.m. Darren Nicholson
6:15 p.m. Low Tide
7:30 p.m. Carolina 441
8:30 p.m. Braden Rumfelt (and after the fireworks)
A salute to the Armed Forces will be held at 9:45 prior to the fireworks.
Fireworks in the Park
The all-aerial fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m. and will be produced by Munerlyn Pyrotechnics and will be shot from the Macon County Fairgrounds.
Rules:
- No drones allowed in the park or in the fireworks fallout zone area.
- No alcoholic beverages.
- No fireworks in the park (including sparklers, firecrackers and poppers).
- Pets must be leashed at all time, but organizers recommend leaving them at home.
- No one allowed in the fireworks safety zone.
Parking
Parking will be limited at the Rec Park. Parking is not allowed except where indicated.
Designated handicapped parking will be at the Rec Park pool.
Shuttles
Free shuttles will run from 5-9:30 p.m. from the following locations: Franklin High School, Southwestern Community College (320 Industrial Park Loop), Macon County Public Library and Westgate Plaza.
Shuttles will restart after the fireworks conclude with the last shuttle at 11 p.m.