The cherry blossoms on Franklin’s downtown square may be slow to bloom due to recent cool temperatures, but residents still plan to celebrate them Saturday at the city’s first Cherry Blossom Festival.

The festivities include 22 southcentral Kentucky artists demonstrating and selling their work in 15 downtown stores from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Franklin Chamber of Commerce’s third annual geranium sale from 9 a.m. to noon. Geraniums will sell for $4 each or three for $10. Local residents who buy three or more will receive a limited-time voucher good for a free disposal of a pickup-truck load of trash at the Simpson County convenience center.

“The red geranium is the official flower for Simpson County,” said Teresa Perkins, owner of Pineapple Lily, and participatant in the event. “There will be 600 for sale.”

Children’s activities are planned on the courthouse lawn, and Lauren Milliken Marsh will be taking pictures and making matte portraits of pets for $10 each, with proceeds going to Friends of the Shelter.

“There will be something for everyone,” Perkins said.

The festival was formed because there the city had no spring festival, said Amanda Crabtree Robey, president of the Franklin Downtown Merchants Association.

“We normally do things in the summer and winter, but we don’t do anything in spring,” she said. “We wanted to try to do something to bring people downtown so they can enjoy the cherry blossoms in the springtime. We’re hoping to make it an annual event.”

The artists will demonstrate a variety of work, including jewelry making, basket weaving, photography, knitting and painting.

Perkins said one of her customers had been to a similar event in another city.

“The customer had been to something with artists in each store and thought it would be a good idea for Franklin,” she said.

source :bgdailynews.com