The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® is an iconic event held each year at the historic Celebration® Grounds in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This 11-day showcase, culminating on the Saturday night before Labor Day, attracts nearly a quarter of a million fans from over 40 states. With a rich heritage rooted in Tennessee, the Celebration® is both an event and an organization dedicated to honoring the Tennessee Walking Horse.

The festival’s origins date back to 1939, when Henry Davis of Wartrace, TN, inspired by Winchester’s Crimson Clover Festival, proposed a local event to celebrate the Tennessee Walking Horse. This idea blossomed into the first Celebration® held in September 1939, and the event has run annually without interruption.

Today, the Celebration® Grounds span over 100 acres, featuring a 30,000-seat outdoor stadium, a 4,500-seat indoor arena, and stalls for over 1,700 horses. Each year, the final crowning of the World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse® is an unforgettable moment for fans, adding to the festival’s legendary appeal.

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