Harvest Moon Festival rings in the holidays in Franklin

Fall brings a breath of fresh air and renewed spirit. As summer’s pulsing heat fades into a memory, focus is turned to school, harvest, breezy moonlit nights – eventually easing into the flurry of the holidays.

Franklin folks welcome the change with celebration, and Main Street shops are displaying fine gifts for this falls Seventh annual Harvest Moon Fest.

Hasty as it may sound, this fest will kick off the holiday shopping season. This year, you can be transported to a time before malls and the hustle that goes along with. Instead of the crammed mall parking lots, take a stroll downtown surrounded by friendly faces and nostalgic scenes.

For those visiting from a nearby parish, Franklin’s finest are greeting visitors with a warm smile and a hearty dish. Unlike many southern bayou communities, Franklin roots vary from French to Italian to Irish. Civil War trodden, the town was defeated during what was called the Battle of Irish Bend.

“We’re one of the few towns not dominated by the French culture, but that doesn’t mean that people around here don’t know how to cook up some good Cajun,” said Michael Domingue, representing the co-sponsor, Franklin Office of Development (FOD).

Join in the festivities and take a step 50 years back – when the moon signified a time to enjoy the fruits of one’s laboring and when local farming was essential to daily survival. Without community farmed sugar cane, those fresh pralines would make for an expensive and rare treat.

Get re-acquainted with that ’32 Deuce Coup you dreamed about after seeing American Graffiti for umpteenth time or show the grandkids that ’51 Chevy that still holds its own in any drag competition. They are all at the festival’s car show.

After all the shopping, sharing and visiting, along with a full stomach and slightly aching feet, relax and enjoy the best music Downtown Franklin has to offer. Live music from real musicians – no DJ’s or computer-enhanced play-lists – is on the schedule.

Partner up for a country line-dance, sing along with old favorites complements of the Johnny Firman Band or rise up with the Gospel Messengers.

Times have changed but Domingue, the FOD and the Franklin Main Street Merchant Board strive to remind everyone what downtowns have to offer.

“Before, people didn’t have malls and shopping centers like Wal-Mart. People went downtown to shop, that’s all there was. Kids grow up differently these days, away from Main Street. This festival is held to bring people back downtown. There are all these wonderful stores that carry quality merchandise and the more people shop, the more they can provide,” said Domingue.

“It provides economic growth for Franklin, we receive a share of the parish tax revenue if we can keep people in town to do their shopping,” he added.

The fest has a revolving date, not around lunar movements, but around LSU and SU football. Saturday, Oct. 28th is a “bye” weekend for both teams, allowing fanatics a chance to attend.

The Harvest Moon rises only once a year, offering a chance to enjoy the best of what the autumn harvest and Main Street community have to offer while marking the turn toward the holiday season ahead.