DFA Membership Handbook

CONGRATULATIONS – As a DFA member, you support economic vitality downtown and access exclusive benefits!

While DFA membership is designed to create an ROI without any further effort on your part,

Enjoy the additional benefits below to maximize your investment!

DFA Membership Handbook

Connect through DFA's in-person and online community:

  1. Book a call or visit with DFA Director anytime HERE>
  2. Join the DFA FB Group for on-the-fly updates HERE>
  3. Mark your calendar for upcoming DFA events HERE>

PUBLIC CALENDARS 

  • City of Franklin – HERE 
  • Visit Franklin – HERE 
  • Downtown Franklin Association – HERE 
  • Heritage Foundation of Williamson County – HERE 

NOTABLE EVENTS 

  1. The Art Crawl/Scene (by the Williamson County Arts Council) – First Friday of each month from 6-9pm downtown. Free event with free trolley rides.  
  2. Main Street Festival (by the Heritage Foundation and DFA) – This year, to be held on April 27-28, 2024. Free street festival in Historic Downtown Franklin with music, arts & craft vendors, beer tent, food vendors, children’s activities, etc. Shuttle Service from off-site parking lots available.  
  3. Franklin Rodeo & Parade (by the Franklin Noon Rotary Club) – May 11, 2024, is this annual parade on Main Street. May 16-18, 2024, is the rodeo at Williamson County Ag Expo. 
  4. Franklin on the Fourth (by the Lions Club) – Patriotic festival on the 4th of July each year in Downtown Franklin, sponsored by the Franklin Lions Club, with arts, crafts, food, and entertainment. The event concludes with incredible fireworks display at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm. 
  5. Bluegrass Along the Harpeth – This year, to be held July 26-27, 2024, on the Public Square. Musical festival featuring Bluegrass music, fiddling, buck dancing, crafts, food and more. 
  6. Pilgrimage Music Festival – This year, to be held on September 28 & 29, 2024, at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm 
  7. PumpkinFest™ (by the Heritage Foundation and DFA) – This year, to be held on October 26, 2024. Free street festival in Historic Downtown Franklin with music, arts & craft vendors, food vendors, children’s activities, etc. Costume contest for humans and pets, beer tent, pumpkin carving demonstrations, and photo ops. Shuttle Service from offsite parking lots available.  
  8. Wine Down Main Street (by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee) – This year, to be held on November 2, 2024. Purchase tickets to enjoy tastings at sites throughout Historic Downtown Franklin. Benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee. 
  9. City Christmas Tree Lighting (by the City of Franklin) – This year, to be held on December 6, 2024. Typically, the first Friday of December. Free event with live entertainment, photos with Santa and more!  
  10. Small Business Saturday – hosted annually the Saturday after Thanksgiving in collaboration with American Express, encouraging everyone to Shop Local and Shop Small!
  11. Hop and Shop Trolley (by the Heritage Foundation and DFA) – Enjoy riding the trolley free on most Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas transporting shoppers from The Factory to Historic Downtown Franklin and back.  
  12. Christmas Parade (by the Downtown Franklin Rotary) – This year, to be held on December 7, 2024. Typically, the first Saturday of December. 
  13. Dickens of a Christmas (by the Heritage Foundation and DFA) – This year, held on December 14-15, 2024. Free street festival in Historic Downtown Franklin with music, arts & craft vendors, food vendors, children’s activities, etc. Musicians, dancers and characters fill the streets! Victorian dress or holiday attire encouraged. Live artisan demonstrations, town sing of Christmas carols. Shuttle Service from off-site parking lots available. 

Build your brand and promote your sales, events, etc.

  1. Submit an upcoming event to the community calendar HERE>
  2. Spotlight your business at a DFA member meeting by sponsoring HERE>(business members only)
  3. Promote your content on our social media channels HERE> (As a member, you'll be included in our annual storytelling, and you'll be featured more frequently by sharing your content with us, too!)
  4. You'll be listed in the online directory HERE within a month of member enrollment (this directory is also advertised on the way finding signs on Main Street).
  5. You'll appear on the Downtown Franklin Awards ballot for public vote in January.
  6. Download and display your digital membership trust badge for your websites, emails, etc. HERE.
  7. If your business provides business services, you'll be listed on the Smart Start™ Guide HERE>
  8. Ask us about discounted promotional opps for DFA members with our media partners and discounted Ribbon Cuttings for DFA members with Williamson Inc.!
  9. Mark your calendars to book a festival booth for the on sale dates below (Business members only. Nonprofit members can apply for a free community partner booth with the Heritage Foundation). 

2024 EARLY BIRD ON SALES (reserved for ground level storefront DFA businesses within the festival footprint):

  1. Main Street Festival – January 8, 11am
  2. PumpkinFest – June 3, 11am
  3. Dickens – August 5, 11am

2024 FULL PRICE ON SALES (reserved for any remaining DFA businesses that would like a booth):

  1. Main Street Festival – February 5, 11am
  2. PumpkinFest – July 1, 11am
  3. Dickens – September 2, 11am

Access downtown news, info, and tools:

  1. Click HERE to access DFA's resource library.
  2. Watch DFA's monthly newsletter for funding resources.
  3. View the Smart Start™ guide for downtown business HERE>

Exclusive offers and savings with the Heritage Foundation:

Influence downtown culture, development, festivals, and advocacy:

  • Inform our advocacy work regarding zoning, codes, safety, parking, taxes, etc., HERE>
  • Shape the future of downtown – participate in meetings, masterminds, exclusive surveys, etc.
  • Learn about DFA committee projects to see where you can get involved. (hhood@williamsonheritage.org)

Annual Bonus: