FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Next Generation Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County is proud to announce the return of Abby Burke & Friends to the stage for the 5th Annual Three Blind Vines presented by JJ’s Wine Bar. The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012 at Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin. The event’s theme is “1920s speakeasy” with all proceeds going directly to The Franklin Theatre.

Cost is $30.00 per person ($40.00 at the door), plus 3 bottles of wine per team of 1-3 people
(1 French Red, 1 French White and 1 repeat of either of these wines).  Admission includes entertainment, food from your favorite local restaurants & chefs and a cleansing bottle of water for each person during the tasting.  The extremely popular silent auction will be back this year, as will the cash bar for beer lovers.

Although costumes aren’t required, they’re encouraged! The costume contest is returning for 2012 and will be led by a panel of judges consisting of Nashville’s most popular fashion bloggers.

Advance reservations and pre-payment are encouraged by calling Torrey Barnhill at 615-591-8500, ext. 20 or by visiting www.threeblindvines.com.  Cash and credit cards will be accepted at the door on the evening of the event for those not making advance reservations.  This event is open to everyone 21 years and over.  IDs will be checked at the door.

Attendees will have the opportunity to compete and vote in this “blind wine” contest. Check-in begins at 6:00 p.m. and will go until 7:00 p.m., at which time no more wine will be accepted. Each team’s first two bottles of wine will be collected, disguised, and set out for tasting and voting.  The “repeat” bottle is set aside unopened to be given to two Grand Prize winners.  From 6:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. tasting and voting takes place. The grand prize winners of the favorite red and favorite white wines will be announced at 9:00 p.m. More than 500 people attended Three Blind Vines 2011 and the 2012 event promises to be even bigger.

In addition to the wine contest, attendees are encouraged to interact with the 3BV (Three Blind Vines) social media team throughout the event, which will be “live-updating” Next Gen’s social media feeds with pictures and video. On Twitter, find all event-related updates by following the hashtag – #3bv2012.

The Next Generation Heritage Foundation consists of members ages 21-40 and is part of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.  To learn more about the Heritage Foundation, please visit www.historicfranklin.com.

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FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE—Tickets are selling fast for the ninth annual Franklin Main Street Brew Fest on Saturday, March 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 the day of the event if any of the 2,000 tickets remain, and include tastings of more than 50 beers presented by R.S. Lipman Company and Lipman Brothers. Tastings are in Main Street shops with the street closed to vehicle traffic but free and open to pedestrian traffic with most shops and restaurants open throughout the event.

Order online tickets at www.downtownfranklintn.com/events/brewfest

Attendees are encouraged to find safe ways to celebrate. The Franklin Transit Authority provides transportation to and from any address inside the city limits of Franklin for $6 round trip per person. Reservations for a ride may be made by calling 615-628-0260 or by emailing sconnor@tmagroup.org up to 24 hours prior to the event’s start time. Better yet—organize a group from your neighborhood and take the trolley together.

On Fourth Avenue, look for Irish-themed festival food including fish and chips, roasted corn and potatoes, Irish stew and kettle corn. The street will remain open throughout the day for regular business, closing at 4 p.m. to set-up for the evening event.

Ticket holders will check-in at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Main Street, to get their special tasting glasses, a map to the tasting sites, and a description of the beers and Irish whiskey to sample. Check-in is available from 5 p.m. throughout the event, but the tasting sites open at 6 p.m.

While the Brew Fest is going on, all the usual activity of Downtown Franklin will be in full swing and you don’t need a tasting ticket to visit your favorite restaurant as usual. Adding to the fun will be several Celtic groups playing on the street and even a few bagpipers!

“With the event falling on St. Patrick’s Day in its ninth year, it’s sure to bring out the Irish in everyone,” said Downtown Franklin Association President Andy Marshal, owner of Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant. “Wearing of the green is welcome and encouraged!”

The following Main Street-area hot spots are participating in the Brew Fest:

Tickets are $40 per person in advance and are available at The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County and on the website www.downtownfranklintn.com or www.historicfranklin.com. To order tickets by phone, call 615-591-8500.

All proceeds will go to Downtown Franklin Association for promotion and continued revitalization of the historic district, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and designated by the National Trust as a Great American Main Street and a Preserve America community.

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What: Franklin Main Street Brew Fest
When: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Ticketed beer/whiskey tasting 6 to 9 p.m.
$40 in advance, $45 on the day of the event if any remain

Where: Historic Downtown Franklin, Tennessee
15 miles south of Nashville
From I-65 take exit 65, Highway 96 and 3 miles to Public Square
Event is from Public Square to Fifth Avenue
Free parking in two garages on 4th Ave. S. and 2nd Ave. S.
www.historicfranklin.com