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softball tournaments that filled all the hotel rooms in the city celebration.
and many seats at restaurants. “I have been ceo for six years now, and I was an exhibitor
“calsonic Arena exists, again, only because of the 11 days in for 26 years before that,” Inman said. “this is as positive things
late August to the beginning of september,” Inman said. “that have been in over a decade and I see them continuing to go that
arena is booked every single weekend from february through way.”
April and most of the events are not horse related. Inman is seeing growth in participants including new owners
“calsonic Arena is not only a venue for promoters. It is an and exhibitors as well as an increase in horse entries. he is
experience like going to bridgestone Arena in nashville. It is hopeful fans participation will also be on the rise as well.
diverse. It is inexpensive. It is something you don’t see in other “we are getting new people into the showing aspect of the
cities bigger than us.” business and people who have been out of the showing aspect
the main message for Inman is to emphasize how are coming back,” Inman said. “we are having more horses
widespread the impact of the celebration is to the community. entering the ring.
In his talks around town he hears stories from people “I think we will see more people attending the celebration,
who sold popcorn and peanuts or seat cushions or programs what we call the casual fans who want to come out for the
or worked or still work at a civic club booth during the festival and social atmosphere of the horse show. we are seeing
celebration. more quality horses coming into the ring and we hope the
“I think it is significant in both a financial and, if you will, attendance will follow suit.”
a spiritual way for the county,” Inman said. “It has touched the pat marsh, state representative for District 62 which includes
lives, either directly or indirectly, of just about everybody in this bedford county and parts of lincoln county, has served on the
community. It is a tradition unique to the county.” celebration board of Directors for 20 years.
this will be the 79th year for the tennessee walking horse “there is a lot of revenue and tax money that comes in
national celebration. through all of the things we have going on there,” marsh said.
“It is really special to have a tradition that is this large and “we have a lot of great people who have moved into the county
that has gone this long,” Inman said. “It reaches virtually every because of walking horses. they are nice folks and they don’t
family in the county in one generation or another in some way, want to leave.
and for most, multiple generations.” “I tell everybody the celebration is a community treasure.
Inman’s passion is to talk about the celebration at each and we have to do everything we can to keep it going,” H
every opportunity.
“some are formal talks, but the majority
of them are informal,” Inman said. “this
whole place is a community benefit and a
community gift.”
the celebration is the rarest of events
where most of the concessions revenue goes
to various civic clubs. Inman is always looking
for ways to relate the celebration to the
community. beyond the civic giving he and
the board strive to make the “big show” an
entertaining one.
“the community relies heavily on the
celebration and the celebration relies heavily
on the community,” Inman said. Proud to be your Senator. 615.741.1066
sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov
the emblem for the shelbyville-bedford
county chamber of commerce prominently
features the walking horse and a pencil, the
two products the county is most known for.
“It is what we are known for around
the country,” Inman said. “when you say
shelbyville to someone 99 out of a hundred
times the tennessee walking horse is the
first thing that comes to their minds. they
know that connection even if they don’t know
shelbyville.”
the tennessee walking horse industry
appears to be starting out on a positive 220 S. Jefferson St. • Shelbyville, TN 37160
note this year. Inman is hopeful the positive
vibes will also have a strong effect on the (931) 684-7323

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