Recreation and Attractions
Recreation that keeps pace with your needs and wants: Imagine municipal recreational facilities that rival upscale private fitness clubs in quality and amenities, facilities catering to every age and interest. Imagine indoor and outdoor pools; top brand equipment and classes for various age and ability levels; meticulously maintained courts, courses and playing fields for a variety of popular sports; tree-lined walking trails that wind through lush settings where picnic tables and pavilions beckon. In Shelbyville’s 84-acre H.V. Griffin Park, the city has imagined and created a place for play for everyone—even a best-in-class skate park that would only be a “pipe dream” in most communities.
And Griffin Park is only one in a network of eight community parks, which will soon connect to a comprehensive greenway trail also linking schools, commercial areas and transportation corridors.
A place to unplug—and connect: Nestled against the banks of the abundantly diverse Duck River, Shelbyville is a place for connections. Families and friends connect through outdoor exploration and adventure. People connect to nature against beautiful surroundings. And in a fast-paced world, residents re-connect to their own inner strengths as they kick back with experiences like kayaking, boating, fishing and camping on the Duck River or Normandy Lake, or cycling or hiking on the area’s scenic backroads. Shelbyville-Bedford is a great place to reflect and recharge. We are also a featured stop on the self-guided geocaching tour of the Jack Trail, Tennessee’s popular trail of history, horses and the nation’s best distilleries, including the Uncle Nearest Premium Whisky distillery right here in Shelbyville.
A place where people come together: While visitors and residents alike are drawn to our historic downtowns with shops and venues of inviting character and charm, Shelbyville-Bedford has also been strategic in creating spaces for celebration and for cultivation of the arts, including:
- Calsonic Arena: Located on the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds, the Calsonic Arena hosts exciting events ranging from concerts to car shows, motocross races, rodeos, horse and even mule shows.
- Fly Arts Center: A converted textile mill, the Fly Arts Center now weaves delight and discernment into the fabric of the community as a vibrant center for the arts, host to special arts and cultural events, year-round classes and much more.
Perfectly paced festivals and events: A rich arts and cultural heritage, a passion for athletic excellence, and a community that loves to celebrate—the ingredients are all here for a packed calendar. A few highlights include:
The pride of Tennessee’s arts and crafts shows is a joy for the crowds in excess of 100,000 who delight in browsing the more than 500 booths of artisans from across the nation. Arts, crafts, music, food and more: There’s lot to savor here.
The beauty of this globally popular event is not only in the scenic vistas that surround the runners tackling the 40-mile challenge, it’s also in the way the event is structured with a standard 26.2-mile marathon as well as a 10K race to allow the widest range of participation.
While the nearby Bonnaroo is well known, Wartrace MusicFest is a gem beloved by the thousands of festival attendees who enjoy the variety of music as well as the family-friendly activities and atmosphere.
This sweet treat of a festival has made the town of Bell Buckle famous with fun lovers from around the country, drawn to the festival’s old-fashioned American flavor. Highlights include a parade, a 10K race, music, food, all topped off by the crowning of the Festival King and Queen and the slicing of the world’s largest Moon Pie.
Everybody gets to spread their wings at this gorgeous juried arts and crafts show that includes children’s activities, an outdoor classroom of butterfly
This is Americana at its best, a celebration that features some of the nation’s best bluegrass musicians, hand-made crafts and, of course, five days and nights of mules. Extra fun festival event: Kids get a chance to become junior mule skinners.
In the cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse, this national celebration draws professionals, enthusiasts and exhibitors eager to observe the state of the sport, and to see which great horse will be crowned the World Grand Champion.
Webb School Arts and Crafts Festival
The pride of Tennessee’s arts and crafts shows is a joy for the crowds in excess of 100,000 who delight in browsing the more than 500 booths of artisans from across the nation. Arts, crafts, music, food and more: There’s lot to savor here.
Strolling Jim 40 Ultra Marathon
The beauty of this globally popular event is not only in the scenic vistas that surround the runners tackling the 40-mile challenge, it’s also in the way the event is structured with a standard 26.2-mile marathon as well as a 10K race to allow the widest range of participation.
Wartrace MusicFest
While the nearby Bonnaroo is well known, Wartrace MusicFest is a gem beloved by the thousands of festival attendees who enjoy the variety of music as well as the family-friendly activities and atmosphere.
RC Cola Moon Pie Festival
This sweet treat of a festival has made the town of Bell Buckle famous with fun lovers from around the country, drawn to the festival’s old-fashioned American flavor. Highlights include a parade, a 10K race, music, food, all topped off by the crowning of the Festival King and Queen and the slicing of the world’s largest Moon Pie.
Butterfly Festival
Everybody gets to spread their wings at this gorgeous juried arts and crafts show that includes children’s activities, an outdoor classroom of butterfly
American Mule and Bluegrass Festival
This is Americana at its best, a celebration that features some of the nation’s best bluegrass musicians, hand-made crafts and, of course, five days and nights of mules. Extra fun festival event: Kids get a chance to become junior mule skinners.
Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration
In the cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse, this national celebration draws professionals, enthusiasts and exhibitors eager to observe the state of the sport, and to see which great horse will be crowned the World Grand Champion.
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