It's show time in Shelbyville as horses arrive for TWHNC

Nathan Mills works Gen's Black Diamond on the Celebration grounds Tuesday morning, getting the colt ready for his appearance at tonight's TWHBEA National Futurity. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

The trailers are sprouting up in the fields next to the Calsonic Arena like mushrooms and the lines at the fast food restaurants are getting longer. Strangers have moved into your neighbors' houses and your neighbors are taking their vacations -- elsewhere. At no other time of the year does Shelbyville fill up as it does during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Trainers, owners, riders, vendors and fans come to visit, bringing their money with them.

"The Celebration brings in more than $40 million just to this area," said Walt Wood with the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. Last year, MTSU said the effect statewide could be as high as $60 million.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce and the walking horse industry welcome the opening of the 2009 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and encourage local residents and business owners to display ribbons in their windows to welcome visitors and show support. From left are Scott Johnson, Chamber president-elect; Walt Wood, Chamber CEO; Dr. Doyle Meadows, Celebration CEO; Eugene Ray, Bedford County Mayor; Scott Cocanougher, Chamber president; and Ben Craig, Chamber treasurer. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

To welcome those visitors, the Chamber is encouraging everyone to hang banners and ribbons, such as the ones adorning the chamber's own building. Many years ago, the Chamber provided red white and blue bunting for area businesses but had to discontinue the program when it became too costly.

"Last year, (County) Mayor Eugene Ray suggested we all hang red, white and blue ribbons," said Wood. "This year, we decided to go bigger and better. We've got bigger bows and we've added the award ribbons."

The ribbons can be purchased at L&M Awards.

The chamber is also participating in the yard sign program started by Dru McCormick and Jeffrey McGee. The signs have a walking horse logo and state, "Proud Supporters of the Walking Horse Industry. "They cost $30 and proceeds go to support the Great Strides therapeutic riding program.

"We're big supporters of that program," said Wood. "We have a sign ordered."

The sign sale is going very well, said McCormick.

"We've had a very good response which has been great," she said. "Everybody's been real receptive and glad we're putting signs up and getting support. We have a few more left and will order more if people call us."

Safety measures

Because of increased traffic and the massive -- if temporary -- population boom, Shelbyville and Bedford County's first responders are prepared to help when and where they can.

"Basically, our job is to help the Tennessee Highway Patrol work traffic in and out of the Celebration when needed," said Shelbyville Police Chief Austin Swing. "We do have extra patrol on, particularly on the two weekends, both Friday and Saturday nights. Of course, we answer calls like another part of town if something arises as needed."

Swing said the Celebration has its own security, bolstered by off duty deputies during the show.

"They do the biggest share of actual patrolling, but again, if some problem arises, they'll call us and we'll respond."

The law enforcement agencies around Middle Tennessee who have mounted patrols also send shifts of officers riding their horses -- Tennessee walkers, of course.

One aspect of the SPD's job that won't change is DUI arrests. As always, the officers will be on the lookout for impaired drivers.

"Usually during the horse show, DUI arrests do go up, but it's not always the visitors," said Swing. "There's usually some local participation in that."

Lauren Hamilton of Southern Serenity Ranch in Cedar Grove takes a break while working her mare, I'm Rose Walker. The pair will be showing today in the Amateur Trail Pleasure Class at the Celebration. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Emergency services and fire departments also send crews to the Celebration. At least six off-duty firefighters are not he grounds at night during the shows, just in case they are needed in an emergency. In fact, the firefighters used to have their own building on the grounds.

"Back in the '70's, traffic congestion was so bad, you couldn't risk trying to get to the grounds on time," said Shelbyville Commander Rob Wessner during an interview at last year's show. "It made more sense to be on-site."

New and improved

While some things -- increased traffic and Optimist Club donuts -- stay the same every year, some things do change at the Celebration. The outbuildings all have new tin roofs, the Blue Ribbon Circle has a fresh coat of paint, and the horses themselves are showing that you can teach this breed just about anything.

In a effort to showcase the versatility of the Tennessee walking horse, the Celebration is offering two separate demonstrations prior to the evening performances. Both demonstrations will take place in the "Whittlin' Tree Ring," adjacent to the Blue Ribbon Circle and are slated to begin at 5:30 p.m.

The first demonstration will take place on Saturday. The horse being showcased is Clever Debutante, a 3-year-old Tennessee walking horse that was named the Walking Horse Owners' Association's Pleasure Horse of the Year in 2008. In conjunction with All Youth Day that day, brother and sister team Hunter and Mackenzie Morgan will demonstrate the horse's versatility in gaming classes, such as pole bending, barrel racing, water glass and much more.