It has been more than 40 years since the Franklin Theatre’s marquee has lit up 419 Main Street in Historic Downtown Franklin, and on Jan. 29, 2011, at 5 p.m., the marquee will once again shine. The Next Generation of the Heritage Foundation, comprised of 21-40 year old Heritage Foundation members, has made a $100,000 pledge to fund the replica of the original 1937 Franklin Theatre Marquee.

In honor of this special occasion, the Next Generation Heritage Foundation is sponsoring a “Champagne and Shopping Hour” beginning at 4 p.m. in many of the shops on Main Street.

In recognition of Black History Month, the Natchez Trace Parkway will host the Firehouse Community Arts Center of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance (MBAA) on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Using the performing arts of drama and music (song and instrumental) and visual media projections, the Firehouse Community Arts Center will offer education and entertainment for this year’s Black History Program. The program will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, located at milepost 266, near Tupelo, Mississippi.