Shelbyville: Thundering hooves and sparkling sights

Sherri Pollack, left, on the horse "I'm P. Diddy," Clay Mills, on the horse "Holyfield," and Justin Howell, on the horse "Jose's Bummin' Around," show during the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Stallions, 15.2 and Under class at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in 2012.
Sherri Pollack, left, on the horse "I'm P. Diddy," Clay Mills, on the horse "Holyfield," and Justin Howell, on the horse "Jose's Bummin' Around," show during the Owner-Amateur Riders on Walking Stallions, 15.2 and Under class at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in 2012.
photo Shelbyville's historic square

The mention of Shelbyville, Tenn., conjures images and sounds of a stylish, strutting Tennessee Walking Horse's hooves pounding the earth in a town where the best are recognized the world over.

Known as the Walking Horse Capital of the World, Shelbyville is where the grand champion is crowned during in the 11-day Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, an event now entering its 79th year.

The Celebration this year begins Aug. 23 and concludes Sept. 2 with the naming of the Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championship winner.

Until 2016, the horse "I Am Jose" was the first to take the World Championship in three back-to-back years since "Talk of the Town" won in 1951, 1952 and 1953, according to Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration records. Last year's winner was "Honors."

When horses are not in the limelight, Shelbyville is also known as "The Pencil City," so named for its historical importance to wooden-cased pencil manufacturing. Musgrave Pencil Company, now with a third generation of the family at the helm, is the one of the firms that made Shelbyville The Pencil City.

FAST FACTS

  • Population: 21,432 (2016 estimate)
  • Incorporated: 1819
  • County seat: Of Bedford County, which was created in 1807 from Rutherford County and Native American lands
  • $1: Price paid in 1810 by the Tennessee General Assembly for 100 acres on which to create the county seat
  • Largest employer: Tyson Foods, with approximately 1,300 employees

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

  • Stroll and shop the historic downtown square.
  • Attend a play or see an art exhibit at The Fly Arts Center. (204 S. Main St.; 931-684-8359; flyartscenter.com)
  • Visit a horse farm and learn to ride.
  • Float or fish the scenic Duck River, described in National Geographic as one of the most ecologically diverse rivers in North America.

CELEBRATE! SHELBYVILLE-STYLE

  • The town's claim to fame is the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Since 1939, the celebration has built on its love of the spectacular Tennessee Walking Horse. The world grand champion is crowned on the last Saturday night of the 11-day celebration at the historic grounds where 30,000 fans fill the arena every August. (1110 N. Evans St.; 931-684-5915; twhnc.com/content)
  • The Bedford County Fair turns 20 this year. The annual six-day event is held in Shelbyville at the Bedford County Agricultural Center and Fairgrounds in late July. It features a solid lineup of Southern food, arts, crafts and fun for the kids. A fireworks show is held on the closing night. In 2017, the fair turned 20 years old and celebrated with the theme "Hats off to 20 Years." (bedfordcountytnfair.org)

GOOD EATS

There are lots of choices in Shelbyville for great food. Here are a couple of lunchtime spots near downtown, and a tasty restaurant for Southern comfort food for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

  • Southern Fare (210 Lane Pkwy.; 931-536-5768)
  • The Coffee Break on the Square (121 Public Square S; 931-680-2552)
  • Urban Plantation (764 N. Main St.; 931-488-7840)

FAMOUS FOLKS

  • Rex Brothers, lefty pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who formerly played for the Colorado Rockies. His brother, Hunter, was drafted by the Rockies in 2013.
  • Sondra Locke, actress who guest-starred on several television series and minor films in the 1970s before starring in six movies directed by then-boyfriend Clint Eastwood and then setting out on her own as a director.

Sources: Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Census Bureau; Tennessee Blue Book; Shelbyvillemultimedia.org; Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration; imdb.com; Marietta Daily Journal

Upcoming Events