June 6 will mark the sixth year for the Franklin Pride festival.

After facing opposition in previous years, the path to a permit at Harlinsdale Farm was smooth this year, Franklin Pride president Clayton Klutts tells the Williamson Scene. The nonprofit organization is also charging an admission fee for the first time — $5 for 18 and up, with 18 and under admitted for free. 

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“In the absence of some of the larger corporate sponsors, we just felt that this was the year that we need to implement that.” Klutts says. “We wouldn't ever try to charge a high enough ticket price that it would fully cover all the costs. We’ll always need our sponsors, because we want to be able to keep the ticket price low.” 

The event is headlined by Sarah Durbin, a local rock artist set to perform at 5:20 p.m. on Saturday. Performances across two stages start at 12 p.m. including alternative pop duo Sisters Mann and country rock outfit Gwen Levey and The Breakdown. 

The event is set to host 130 vendors and food trucks and as many as 7,500 people, Klutts says. It has grown form 5,000 attendees at the first festival. 

Franklin Pride is coming off of a successful concert fundraising event in 2025, “Night of Queer Icons,” at Franklin Theatre, in addition to a recent fundraising event at David Yurman store at The Mall at Green Hills. In 2027, the organization is planning another concert fundraiser, Klutts confirms. 

Franklin Pride was established in 2019 and threw its first festival in 2021. This year, the festival is also moving to another, more accessible spot within the park. 

“It's not going to be radically different than the previous years, but we do try to introduce some newness every year and repeat things that have been really popular,” Klutts says.  

Those popular offerings include a kids zone and teen lounge, he says. 

“Pride festivals in each community, where they're held reflect the personality of the community,” he says. “If you think about who lives in Franklin, it's a lot of young familes. I would say that our Pride feels more like going to a family reunion at the park.” 

Franklin Pride has faced protests in previous years, but Klutts and the organization keep moving forward. 

“I think it's very important for people to be able to see themselves in their community, and that's a big reason of why we want to keep having Franklin Pride — to let people know that there is an LGBTQ plus community here,” he says.