Beer board approves permit for 'An Evening with Friends' to benefit Williamson County Animal Center

The Franklin Beer Board approved a special-event beer permit for 'An Evening with Friends,' a fundraiser for the Friends of Williamson County Animal Center, to be held at The Factory at Franklin Freedom Hall on July 31, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Jessica Davis, beer-board staff, told the board the application and required inspections were complete and recommended approval. The organization's treasurer, Andy Metzic, described the group's mission supporting the Williamson County Animal Center and said the event is a yearly fundraiser: "We've been around since December 2010 and got our 501(c)(3) in April 2011" and "we're looking at, hopefully, 350 people for the event."

Metzic urged the board that "it's kitten season" and said the shelter "will get about 500 kittens per month," citing the ongoing demand for kitten food, spay/neuter services and other targeted support the nonprofit provides to keep animals with their families. He described the event as a dinner with both silent and live auctions and said the venue's in-house bar service will supply professionally trained servers: "We will be serving beer and wine... The servers are through the factory... we have always used a professional bar service."

Board members asked about alcohol service and training; one member said the factory's contracted staff provides the coverage and training required to ensure compliance with ABC rules. A member moved to approve the application and a second was recorded; the roll-call vote recorded Alderman Barnhill and Alderman Caesar voting yes and the permit passed.

The board took the vote after staff confirmed inspections and insurance documentation were complete. The meeting record shows the board approved the permit and moved on to the next agenda item.