The Franklin Fourth of July Carnival opened Wednesday evening on the town common, launching a five-day celebration that runs through Sunday. By around 8 PM, the crowd spanned a wide range of ages, from young children on the carousel and Ferris wheel to older teens and adults working their way through the midway. The Ferris wheel, the Flying Bobs and the Big Kahuna ran steadily as the sky darkened.
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| Ferris wheel at dusk: The carnival's Ferris wheel turns against a darkening sky as families gather below. (Dan Brown Photo) |
Fiesta Shows operates this year's midway, with more than 15 rides spread across the common, Union Street and Church Street, plus games, food booths and nightly music. The carnival opened at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, with noon openings for the rest of the run.
Local nonprofits are running the food tents this year, a tradition organizers say funds community groups. The Franklin Democratic Town Committee's booth, wrapped in red-white-and-blue bunting, served pizza, hot dogs and water. Nearby stands offered corn dogs, fresh-cut fries and sno-cones under strings of flags. Game stalls stacked with plush prizes, from giant teddy bears to smaller carnival classics, drew a steady line of players.
Electric motorcycles and mini dirt bikes, popular with tweens and teens, moved through the crowd and nearby streets. Near St. Mary's at 201 Main St., three young riders shared a single e-motorcycle heading up Main Street. None wore a helmet.
The celebration, which organizers describe as entirely privately funded, continues nightly through July 5 with a rotating lineup of local bands. It culminates in the eighth annual Mike Crandall Blues Festival on July 4, the nation's 250th birthday.
Additional photos by Dan Brown/Kapitol Photography in one album = https://photos.app.goo.gl/jD1EcPiFm9bi1DAp7
