Business Sponsor Form

Folk Heritage Association of Macon County

 - a 501(c)3 organization
Re: 6th Annual Franklin Folk Festival

The Folk Heritage Association of Macon County (FHAMC) is requesting funds in support of the 6th Annual Franklin Folk Festival, to be held on July 18, 2009. This is a cooperative effort involving the FHAMC, all three museums, the Chamber of Commerce, the Early Farm Engines Club, 4-H Clubs, Community Development, Macon County students, Main Street, and the Streets of Franklin. All planning and implementation is done by volunteers.
 
The Folk Festival is a celebration of the heritage of Macon County, and involves a very large number of volunteers. In the past there have been 54 different demonstrations, each involving two or more persons. These demonstrations ranged from shingle splitting, to weaving, to shoeing horses. There is also on-going traditional music throughout the day. We are hopeful that the Macon County Arts Council will again sponsor a music venue on Friday evening.
 
This Festival can never be self supporting. It is not designed to make money for itself; it is designed to make money for the town, by attracting the cultural tourists. Statistics show that cultural tourism is the growing segment in the industry and that cultural tourists stay longer and spend more money.
 
The other important purpose of our festival is to promote the feeling of community that has always been such a vital part of our heritage. This is Macon County folks (native and non-natives) coming together to remind ourselves, our children, and our visitors just what a rich heritage we spring from.
 
Again this year, we will have a Heritage Parade on Saturday morning, featuring the Civil War Re-enactors, the Scottish Tartans, early farm tractors, antique cars, clogging, etc. No fire engines.
 
This year, our theme is focused on our natural heritage and we are honoring the older citizens in the county, both in the parade, and in a much more permanent way. Ralph Preston, a professional videographer is volunteering his time to do oral history videos at the festival on the front porch built by Ronnie Beale, with Tom Ritter’s design. This project will be continued after the festival, with interviews taking place in homes.
 
This year, we propose to provide a simple box lunch for our demonstrators, and to pay the entertainers a small honorarium.
 
Last year the Franklin Main Street Program and the TDC supported the Festival with $5,000 and the Macon County Community Foundation contributed $1,000 while the Macon County Arts Council gave $500. This year, we are requesting funds from these groups as well as local businesses and organizations.