Vacation and Staycations- Fridays on Franklin is where it's at!

It's that time of year when everyone wants to get out of town. We took a quick vacation last week and enjoyed some time away from learning about our town. Unfortunately, we missed the experience that is Woofstock. That being said there is still a lot going on. This coming Friday is Fridays on Franklin (an event for the 21 and up crowd that takes place during the summer months). It is a little different this year. Last year it was called First & Third Fridays (because they started including the 3rd Friday of the month). This addition allows the event to sponsor more charities.

Another improvement this year: receiving discounts at local restaurants with your wristband:

Please Support Our Restaurant Sponsors & Receive DISCOUNTS with WRISTBANDS
202	Flanary’s	Martin’s
Awful Arthurs	Fork in the Alley	The Quarter
Corned Beef	Fork in the City	Table 50
Cornerstone	Lucky	Thelma’s

The great thing about First Fridays (as they were formerly known as) is the opportunity to hang out with your friends and hear some great live music. Here is a list of the bands playing and the charities that are benefiting this year:

2011 Charities Named:

May 6, 2011 — The Worx

• CHIP
• Apple Ridge Farms
• SPCA
• Healing Strides of VA
• Cave Spring Rescue Squad Auxiliary
  

May 20, 2011 — 7 Mile Ford & Super Hold

• Conflict Resolution Center
• Children’s Trust
• Mental Health Association
• Ronald McDonald House
• Saint Francis Service Dogs

June 3, 2011 — Domino

• Ronald McDonald House
• League of Older Americans
• Children’s Trust
• Adult Care Center
• Bethany Hall
• SPCA

June 17, 2011 – Burning Bridges

• Clean Valley Council
• Center in the Square
• CHIP
• Brain Injury Connection

July 1, 2011 – Southern Culture
on the Skids

• Healing Strides of VA
• Vinton Needy Family Program
• Bethany Hall

July 15, 2011 — Lloyd Dobler Effect

• Brain Injury Connection
• Saint Francis Service Dogs
• Bethany Hall
• League of Older Americans
  

August 5, 2011 — Project 4 & The Kings

• Roanoke Valley Friends of The Library
• Cave Spring Rescue Squad Auxiliary
• Vinton Needy Family Program
• American Red Cross
• Girl Scouts of VA

August 19, 2011 — Frontiers

• Adult Care Center
• Bradley Free Clinic
• Apple Ridge Farms
• Center in the Square
• Clean Valley Council

September 2, 2011 — The Worx

• Mental Health Association
• American Red Cross
• Girl Scouts of VA
• Roanoke Valley Friends of The Library
• Conflict Resolution Center

Another change this year is the location. No longer in a parking lot by the train tracks, Fridays on Franklin can be found on, you guessed it - Franklin Road - in the SunTrust Plaza. This is a nice location and a better place to hear the band. No longer to you have to scream to be heard over a train going by. So if you are of age and looking for something to do, Fridays on Franklin is a great way to start your evening. Starting at 5:30, you can head out there. It's a great meeting place for your friends before you enjoy some of the downtown nightlife.