Harvest Moon rises Saturday downtown

Harvest Moon Fest, presented by the Franklin Main Street Merchants Association, will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Franklin’s Main Street.
In addition to special shopping promotions by downtown merchants, a full day of activities are planned. A 5K Run/Walk will kick off the day. “Under the Lampposts” Car Show will feature rat rods, classic cars and trucks, bikes and special interest vehicles.
Children will have lots of fun with great activities including games, a train ride and face painting.
Dogs are welcome. Bring man’s best friend down for the annual “Mutt Strutt” Costume Contest at 12 noon.
Other activities include the Bayou Bake Off, a dessert baking competition sponsored by the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau that will be held at the Lamppost.
Teche Growers Association and the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries will host demonstrations throughout the day.
Musical entertainment for the day includes 5’Oclock Shadows, Flashback and Ricky Lorenzo & Friends.
“Come spend the day with us in Historic Downtown Franklin for the Harvest Moon Festival,” Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard said. “Enjoy some beautiful fall weather, good food and great music and the many local arts and crafts vendors set up along Main Street. You can get some of your Christmas shopping done as you stroll through the locally owned shops as well. We look forward to seeing you there.”
Categories for the Bake-off include brownies, candy, cake/cupcakes, cookies, and pie/cobbler/custard. Check in is 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Judging will begin at 11 a.m. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m. Winners must be in attendance.
Scoring will be based on presentation, appropriate texture, taste, consistency and overall impression. Contestants must be amateurs and all ages are encouraged to participate. Entries must be home cooked and not store-bought. More than one entry is acceptable. Desserts must be prepared in a sanitary manner, completely cooked and no items must need refrigeration. Six items are needed for candy, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies. Pies, cakes, cobblers and custards must include the entire dessert.
Entries must be clearly marked with contestant’s name and name of dessert in a sealed container with a recipe. Containers should also be labeled. With permission, recipes may be used for promotions of the Cajun Coast or Harvest Moon Fest. If permission is not granted, it will not affect your opportunity to win. Contestants may work as a team but only one award will be given to the team. Desserts may be picked up after the awards. Any leftovers after 2 p.m. become the property of the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau and Harvest Moon Fest.
The bureau reserves the right to use photos, names, images, videos and relevant quotes in promotion of the parish and Harvest Moon Fest.
Among other activities during the day are:
—The 18th annual Fun/Run Walk, presented by Teche Action Clinic, which kicks off the event. Registration at 7 a.m.
—Children’s train ride, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
—First Franklin Scarecrow Contest, decorating contest, in residential, business and school categories. They’ll be displayed in front of businesses. There will also be themed displays by Hanagriff’s Machine Shop on the boulevard.
“We need everyone to help us make this a success,” organizer Diane Wiltz said. “Please come out and support our local hometown. We are revitalizing Franklin, we get compliments, we just had some people in front out of the country and they commented how beautiful Franklin is, and historic and iconic and all those beautiful words.”
Bands include:
—5 O’Clock Shadows, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
—Flashback, 12-2 p.m.
—Ricky Lorenzo and Friends, 2-4 p.m.
Wiltz challenged the council and audience to “not only come, but bring at least three other people with you. Sorority sisters, brothers, friends, mayors, councilmen that live elsewhere, invite them to be a part of this, and let’s show off what we have.”
There will be food and beverage vendors, and a live auction at 2 p.m.