By MARK MCGEE
For most visitors to the 86th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration it is not just a horse show. It is total immersion into what goes on in the show ring as well as the many activities outside of the ring that are a part of the largest horse show in the world.
“For so many people who come to the show this is their vacation,” Celebration CEO Warren Wells said. “Some of them have second homes in Shelbyville.
“We are in the entertainment business. We want to put on a good show. We3 have the barn decorating contest, the dog show and Cowboy night where everyone wears their Western clothes and the Celebration Shoot-Out Golf Tournament out at Riverbend Country Club.”
For so many in attendance during the 11-night show doesn’t stop when the last horse leaves the ring. This year The Celebration begins Aug. 21 with the World Grand Champion crowned on Aug. 31.
“Pretty much every night, except maybe Monday or Tuesday, we have people on the grounds after the show,” Wells said. “There are barn parties. We have an agreement that we will close down at 2 a.m.
“People compete all year to come here and win at The Celebration. That might be the only time they ride under those lights and show in the big oval. For 11 days here they are going to have fun. We are trying to get more and more things out there for people to be entertained.”
There is often music in the air after the show and it is not from the center ring organ.
Two bands popular with the Celebration crowd will be returning to the Blue Ribbon Circle Club. The Differents will perform Aug. 24. Entice will be on stage Aug. 30.
Membership in the Blue Ribbon Club is required for attendance.
“We always have two bands in the Blue Ribbon Circle,” Wells said. “People love them. You can buy a Blue Ribbon ticket at the door is you want to for the night.”
A new addition this year is the Exhibitor Appreciation Concert. It will be held in the practice ring across from the Blue Ribbon Circle. The concert, featuring Tupelo Honey, is open to the public.
“Tupelo Honey” is quickly becoming a Celebration fan favorite,” Wells said. “They will be performing directly after the show ends on Aug. 29th. So we are inviting people to grab a chair or sit on your golf cart, and enjoy this great show!
“Tupelo Honey is really good. They played here during the Fun Show. I think they will be a great hit. That is something we are really excited about.”
The indoor arena, sponsored by Cooper Steel, has undergone an extensive renovation inside and out this past year.
“That has been a great partnership,” Wells said. “We are working on ADA parking. People who haven’t been to the arena lately will notice we have all new metal on the walls.”
A new mural, painted by Kristin Seibold is on the brick wall near the Sir Pizza food booth.
“I have seen them everywhere,” Wells said of the mural. “We are trying to do different things to help with social media activity and people having their photo made with it. Maybe every year we will have Kristin do something different around the grounds.”
