A near table setting in Franklin, Kentucky

When you come to a fork in the road, take it ---Yogi Berra

The fork in the road - where road trip adventures sometimes begin...or end. A decision point, a local landmark, and in Simpson County, Kentucky - a 21-foot piece of art.

Designed, built, and installed by welding students at Franklin-Simpson High School in 2018 - the literal "fork in the road" stands at the intersection of Uhls and Bunch Road outside of Franklin in South Central Kentucky. The piece of art instantly became a hit - attracting visitors from Kentucky, nearby Tennessee, and all over the country.

Simpson County Bicentennial Commemorative Coins that feature the Fork in the Road.

The Fork in the Road is celebrated throughout Simpson County. During the county's bicentennial in 2019, commemorative coins featured the fork. When I was visiting here in May 2022, I was fortunate to receive two of the Simpson County Bicentennial Coins from a passerby.

Three years later - the students at Franklin-Simpson High School were at it again. This time, the welding students created a 24-foot butter knife sculpture. Called "The Cutting Edge of Simpson County," it is located at the Blackjack Sculpture Park along Blackjack Road - only a few miles from the "fork." The sculpture is considered the world's largest butter knife.

The latest addition to FSHS' public art portfolio is a working weathervane that features a glider airplane with a 48' wingspan.

The sculpture park is home to other FSHS welding class creations, including a glider weathervane and the Captain Wildcat Space Shutter. Franklin-Simpson's welding classes have also created additional public art within Franklin.

There's no word yet on when FSHS students will complete the table setting with a giant spoon.

All photos taken by post author - May 3, 2022.

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