In Bedford County, horse history can be found in many places: a long-standing event, museum exhibits, and the histories of individual towns. The Celebration® takes place in Shelbyville. Its first edition was held on September 7, 8, and 9, 1939; since then, the event has been held every year without interruption. The show has its own equestrian complex covering more than 100 acres.
Local History and Culture in Shelbyville
The Bedford County History Museum, located in the Fly Arts Center, presents the community’s local history from the past 200 years. Its six exhibition themes are The Fly, Founders, The Square, Industry, Echoes of Valor, and Equine Fame. They bring together different perspectives on the town’s history, including one theme devoted to horse culture.
The Gilliland Historical Resource Center is an African American cultural arts center in Shelbyville and Bedford County. The Gilliland House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The Shelbyville Courthouse Square Historic District offers another connection to the town’s history; the Public Square area is listed in the Tennessee National Register inventory.
The region’s history of technology is also part of the picture: the Shelbyville Hydroelectric Station is significant as a representative example of smaller, privately owned hydroelectric projects in Tennessee from the period when it was built. Together with the history exhibitions, it offers a different way to explore the region than the horse events do.
Horse History in Wartrace
Wartrace is widely considered the birthplace of the Tennessee Walking Horse. In the center of town, visitors can explore the history of the breed and the people who shaped its development at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum. Admission is free; check current visitor information before your visit.
Horse history here also invites visitors to look beyond the town: Wartrace is a good starting point for scenic drives through Bedford County and Middle Tennessee. This lets you combine the region’s cultural side with a sense of the surrounding landscape, without limiting your drive to a single attraction.
Festivals and Seasons in Bell Buckle
In Bell Buckle, two annual festivals mark different points in the seasons. Daffodil Day takes place on the third Saturday in March. Thousands of daffodils line the roads and farmland along a six-mile stretch of road leading to Bell Buckle.
The RC Cola-MoonPie Festival follows on the third Saturday in June. The day begins with 10-mile and 5-kilometer races on certified courses. Other highlights include the parade and the ceremonial cutting of the world’s largest MoonPie, which is served as a free dessert. The two dates have distinct settings: in March, daffodils along the approach define the scene; in June, the races and shared festival program take center stage.
The Bell Buckle Farmers Market is another local option. Offerings include locally grown vegetables, preserves, fresh eggs, and a variety of homemade products. Bell Buckle’s appeal therefore ranges from seasonal scenery to local foods.
Scenery and Practical Information
Wartrace is a good starting point for scenic drives through Bedford County and Middle Tennessee. The Normandy Reservoir offers a different regional perspective: it covers 3,048 acres, much of it in Coffee County, and extends beyond Bedford County. Shoreline fishing is available at the Normandy Dam boat access.
Bell Buckle is about eight miles from Interstate 24. This distance provides a practical point of reference, while the towns themselves appeal to different interests: Shelbyville’s events and town history, Wartrace’s connection to the Tennessee Walking Horse, and Bell Buckle’s festivals and market. You can choose how to explore Bedford County based on what interests you most.
Discover more destinations: Lawrence County, Knox, Tipton, Jefferson County, Sumner County, Cumberland County
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