St. Mary Chamber members took part in the kickoff of the Harvest Moon Festival Thursday with a Food and Wine Experience at the Teche Theater on Main Street in Franklin. John Gray Jazz Quartet  entertained while guests dined on food and drink from: Cypress Bayou Casino, Raintree Market, Main Street Café, Breaux’s Foodland of Baldwin, Divine Donuts, Buquet Distributors, Jeremiah’s Java, Franklin Supermarket, Centerville Market, Winn Dixie, Danny’s Fried Chicken, Wal-Mart of Franklin and Polito’s Café.

Franklin Harvest Moon Festival Saturday

Business After Hours kicks off festival

Organizers of the 14th annual Harvest Moon Festival are promising the biggest and best celebration to date.

The festival in Downtown Franklin this Saturday is sponsored by the Franklin Merchants Association in an effort to encourage downtown shopping and support for local merchants. It also celebrates the beginning of the harvest season and recognizes the spirit of a sugar cane farming culture that reaps the rewards of productive and abundant natural resources.

The Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours was held Thursday at the Teche Theatre in Franklin to kick off the festival. Participants enjoyed a Food and Wine Experience from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with entertainment provided by newly crowned Miss Harvest Moon Festival VI Ashley Pierce.

Saturday’s events begin at 8 a.m. with Teche Action Clinic’s Adeline Guienze Breast Cancer Memorial Fund 5K Run/Walk beginning at the Courthouse Square. For more information, contact Alfreida Edwards at (985) 397-1096.

Beginning at 9 a.m., there will be concession booths with local food, arts and crafts and activity booths throughout the downtown area. Some of the many craft items for sale will be headbands, baby blankets, jewelry, tutus, diaper cakes, sports novelties, handmade lotions, scarves, embroidered items, rockers, gifts, aprons, bow hangers, crosses on wood, plastic canvas items and much more. There will be plenty of food available including homemade pepper sauce, homemade breads, drinks, turkey gumbo, brownies on a stick, daiquiris, pulled pork sandwiches, jambalaya, fudge, pies and lots more.

Activities for the kids will include children’s games and activities open to children ages 12 and under including a spacewalk, bean bag toss and pick-a-duck.

The Classic Car and Motorcycle Show will take place on Main Street displaying antique, hot rod, classic and customized cars and bikes from all over the state. Registration on the day of the show is $30 and will begin at 9 a.m. Awards will be given for Top Rat Rods, Top 40, Best of Show, Best Engine, Best Paint, Best Interior, Club Participation and Longest Distance.

The Harvest Moon Festival Royalty will be presented on the Main Music Stage at 2 p.m. followed by the announcing of Car Show winners.

Other events will include all day long, live musical entertainment.

The musical lineup on the main stage includes:

- 5 O’clock Shadows from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

- Steve Breaux and Friends from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

- Mike Dean from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Retail merchants will be open for extended hours with special sales and promotions to open the Christmas shopping season.

Main Street between Adams and Willow will be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the festival. Access to St. Mary Tire on Commercial Street and Scelfo’s Cleaners on Teche Drive will be available during their normal business hours. Police officers will be on site to assist access.

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