Franklin County Republicans Host Annual Ice Cream Social
- Terri Carter
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
The Franklin County GOP Republican Women hosted their annual ice cream social last Thursday evening at the Red Roof Pavilion in Winchester. This year, the event took on a new tone as organizers partnered with the county’s newly formed Republican Men’s group, transforming the traditionally women-only gathering into a community-wide, family-friendly affair.
Nearly 100 Republican Party members gathered for the annual ice cream social, bringing homemade treats and setting aside campaign talk to focus on fellowship, family and community. Attendees included State Rep. Iris Rudder, Winchester Mayor Sean Crabtree, Franklin County Mayor Chris Guess, District Attorney Courtney Lynch, County Commissioners Lydia Curtis Johnson and Tina Sanders, as well as representative Amy Dennis from the offices of U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais along with Natisha Brooks who ran for Senate in 2020. Also in attendance were members of The Deplorables, a like-minded Republican group not formally affiliated with the local organization but often invited to such events.
Felicia Wright, who was recently named chair of the Republican Women’s group, said she was thrilled by the strong community turnout and the positive response to the event’s new format. She credited the collaboration with the newly formed Republican Men’s group as a key factor in expanding the event into a broader, family-friendly social gathering.
“It’s an annual event that we have.”, stated Wright. “We always did just ladies for years and, if it was an election year, we would invite whoever was running. This year we decided to go in with the men’s group and make it a family event. It’s just laid back.”
Franklin County Republican Party Chairman Roger Vetitoe is spearheading a nonpartisan meet-and-greet event designed to foster civic engagement ahead of the August election. Scheduled for July 17 at 6 p.m. at the Red Roof Pavilion in Winchester, the event extends an open invitation to all candidates running for office—Democrat and Republican, incumbent and challenger. Organizers say the goal is to give community members a chance to interact directly with those on the ballot, ask questions, and learn more about the individuals seeking to represent them. By encouraging dialogue across party lines in a welcoming setting, Vetitoe hopes to strengthen voter interest and participation throughout Franklin County.
The annual ice cream social marked a new chapter for Franklin County Republicans, blending tradition with renewed collaboration and community outreach. Organizers said the event's inclusive atmosphere and strong turnout reflected a growing enthusiasm for engagement beyond party lines, especially ahead of the August election. With the upcoming meet-and-greet set for July 17 at the Red Roof Pavilion, party leaders hope to continue the momentum by fostering dialogue between voters and candidates across the political spectrum.
As the summer continues, both Republican organizations plan to hold more events aimed at strengthening civic participation, promoting transparency, and building stronger connections between elected officials and the residents they serve. The emphasis, they said, remains on community, unity and shared responsibility.
