Fall on Main Street

What Downtown Franklin Looks Like When the Season Turns

The first cool morning of the year always feels a little exciting around here. After months of hot afternoons, there's something special about stepping outside and realizing you can actually stay out for a while. The sidewalks on Main Street fill up, people linger a little longer over coffee, and the whole town seems to settle into a different rhythm.

This will be our first fall with the doors of Flying Cow open on Main Street, and we're pretty excited about it. We're right at 418 Main Street, just across from the Franklin Theatre, so we'll get to experience all of those little signs of the season right alongside the rest of downtown.

Fall Events in Franklin

Fall brings some of Franklin's biggest events of the year, and there are a few dates you'll want to have on your calendar.

First up is the Grape Stomp Festival on October 10 at Bicentennial Park. Hosted by A Vintage Affair, a nonprofit that raises money for Williamson County charities supporting women and children, the festival runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and is a fun way to kick off the fall event season.

Then comes one of Franklin's biggest annual traditions: PumpkinFest. The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County's 41st annual festival takes place October 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year, for the first time, PumpkinFest is expanding to a full weekend, filling Main Street and the surrounding streets with vendors, food, activities, and plenty of fall fun. Admission is free.

One of our favorite parts of PumpkinFest is the Scarecrow Crawl, which gives visitors a reason to wander beyond the festival itself. Scarecrows are displayed throughout downtown, so you can wind your way through the local shops along Main Street as you see them, popping in to browse along the way.

If you're planning to come for PumpkinFest, give yourself some extra time and expect the historic district to be busy. Parking can be harder to find during the festival, so the Franklin Transit shuttle is another option for getting downtown without having to circle the blocks looking for a spot.

Spending a Fall Day Downtown

You don't have to come during a festival to enjoy Franklin in the fall. Some of our favorite days are the quieter ones when you can take your time walking down Main Street, pop into a few shops, grab something to eat, and see where the afternoon takes you.

The historic district is easy to explore on foot, with shops, restaurants, coffee, and the Franklin Theatre all within a few blocks. And once the weather cools off, sitting outside for a while becomes much more enjoyable.

If you're looking for a slower pace, try a weekday morning or afternoon. You'll have more time to wander through the shops, stop for coffee or lunch, and enjoy Main Street without having to rush from one thing to the next.

And, of course, come say hi while you're here! We're open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 418 Main Street.

A Little Fall Tallow 101

There's one thing about cooler weather we always like to remind our customers about: tallow changes with temperature.

During the warmer months, whipped tallow becomes softer and more spreadable. As temperatures drop, it naturally firms up and can feel a little denser in the jar. That's completely normal and doesn't mean anything has changed about the product.

If your balm feels a little stiff when you first open it, just warm a small amount between your fingers for a few seconds. Your body heat will soften it right up, and a little goes a long way.

You may also find yourself reaching for your favorite balm a little more often as the seasons change. Cooler, drier weather can leave skin feeling different from one day to the next, so you might naturally want a little extra moisture. There isn't a right or wrong routine. Just use what works for your skin and enjoy that little bit of extra comfort when you need it.

Fall Favorites at Flying Cow

There are a few scents that just feel right this time of year, and our seasonal favorites tend to get a little more attention once fall arrives.

Pumpkin Spice Body Balm is always one of the first things people ask about. It's made with whipped tallow and a warm blend of orange, cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and vanilla. It's only around through November, so if you've been waiting for it to come back, this is your time!

Coffee Balm smells about as close to a fresh cup of coffee as you could hope for. Made with coffee bean and vanilla, it's warm and comforting without being overly sweet, and we love it as a little pick-me-up to start the day.

Bell's Peace Balm has a warm, slightly spiced scent from elemi and a texture that's especially rich and creamy. It's one of those balms you'll want to keep nearby once the weather starts cooling off.

And then there's Magnolia, which may be one of the most Tennessee-feeling scents we make. It's not technically a fall scent, but we can't help loving it on a crisp day in Franklin.

Our Lip Balm with vanilla and peppermint is another one that gets even more popular once the temperatures drop and the wind picks up. It's an easy one to toss in your bag and keep nearby all season long.

If you're visiting us in person, take a minute to smell everything! Scent is one of those things that's hard to choose from a screen, and we'd much rather you find a blend you genuinely love.

Come See What's New

You'll find Flying Cow at 418 Main Street, directly across from the Franklin Theatre. Our products are handcrafted in small batches, and if we're making a fresh batch of tallow in the shop while you're visiting, you may even catch the scent of it as you walk through the door.

Our store is also home to A Place for the Maker, a collective featuring the work of artists and makers from Texas, Tennessee, and beyond. We love getting to fill the shop with beautiful, thoughtfully made things from other small businesses, and the collection is always changing.

So even if you've visited us before, there's a good chance you'll find something new the next time you're downtown!

Whether you're here for PumpkinFest, an afternoon of shopping and coffee, or simply a walk down Main Street on a cool fall day, we hope you'll stop by and say hello. We can't wait to experience our first fall on Main Street with y'all!