Shelbyville
Around Shelbyville
Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Tennessee · 54k people
Shelbyville
Locals say Bedford County · “Walking Horse Capital of the World”
Where the walking horse reigns
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Welcome to Bedford County—where the horses roam and the MoonPies are always close. Whether you're here for the Celebration or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and a slower pace. Come sit a spell and enjoy the small-town charm.
Clubs for Shelbyville
No clubs for Shelbyville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Shelbyville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Shelbyville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds Home of the annual Walking Horse Celebration and horse shows.
- Bell Buckle historic district Victorian-era streets lined with shops and cafés.
- Wartrace historic district Small railroad town with preserved 19th-century buildings.
- Duck River Scenic river popular for canoeing, fishing, and tubing.
- Shelbyville Square Downtown center with local shops and community events.
- Bedford County Courthouse Historic courthouse at the heart of Shelbyville.
- Outdoors Canoe or kayak the Duck River
- Outdoors Horseback riding at local stables
- With kids Attend the Walking Horse Celebration
- With kids Explore Bell Buckle's shops
- Evenings Evening horse shows
- Evenings Live music at Bell Buckle cafés
- Locals love Horse farms and pastures
- Locals love Antique shops
Through the year
- Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration August-September World's largest walking horse show, held at the Celebration grounds.
- RC Cola and MoonPie Festival June Bell Buckle's annual celebration of the iconic snack and soda pairing.
- Bedford County Fair July County fair with livestock shows, rides, and local exhibits.
- Bell Buckle Arts and Crafts Festival October Arts and crafts vendors in the historic district.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outdoors—mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Celebration”
- The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.
- “MoonPie”
- The iconic chocolate-marshmallow snack.
- “RC”
- RC Cola, the local soda favorite.
- “horse country”
- The region's horse-farm country.
Getaways
- Nashville Big-city music, food, and attractions.
- Tullahoma Home to Jack Daniel's Distillery and Tims Ford Lake.
- Lewisburg Historic downtown and nearby Henry Horton State Park.
- Huntsville Space and Rocket Center, plus the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Local flavour
Rooting for Tennessee Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL), Nashville SC (MLS), Tennessee Volunteers (NCAA), Nashville Sounds (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- MoonPie Iconic at the Bell Buckle RC Cola and MoonPie Festival
- RC Cola Often paired with MoonPies in the region
- country ham Southern staple, often served with biscuits
- biscuits and gravy Classic Southern breakfast
Where people go
- Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds Home of the annual walking horse competition
- Bell Buckle historic district Known for the RC Cola and MoonPie Festival
- Wartrace historic district
- Horse farms and pastures Scattered throughout Bedford County
Heritage and traditions
Shelbyville and Bedford County are proud of their deep roots in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, celebrated annually at the National Celebration, and their charming historic towns like Bell Buckle and Wartrace that preserve small-town Southern life.
This time of year in Shelbyville
- Fall foliage drives Autumn Scenic back roads
- Bell Buckle Arts and Crafts Festival October Held in October, features crafts and food
Say it like a local: “little 'un” — a term of endearment for a child
Festivals
- Bell Buckle Arts and Crafts Festival October Held in October, features crafts and food
- RC Cola and MoonPie Festival June Celebrates the iconic snack pairing
- Wartrace Music and Arts Festival May Live music and local art
- Easter Sunrise Service at the Celebration Grounds April Community worship in the arena
- Christmas in Bell Buckle December Holiday shopping and lights
Landmarks with a story
- Walking Horse Hotel Historic hotel in Wartrace, horse country hub
- Bell Buckle Depot Restored railroad depot, now a museum
- Wartrace Historic District Antebellum and Victorian architecture
- Bell Buckle Historic District Charming shops and homes
- Bedford County Courthouse Greek Revival courthouse on the square
- Duck River Scenic river, important to the area
Food traditions
- MoonPie and RC Cola pairing A classic Southern snack, celebrated here
- Country ham and biscuits A hearty breakfast tradition
- Meat-and-three lunches A staple of local diners
- Barbecue with a vinegar-based sauce Middle Tennessee style
- Fried pies at festivals Peach and apple hand pies
Music and arts
- Country and bluegrass music scene Local venues host live music
- Folk art and quilting Traditional crafts in shops
- Walking horse heritage art Paintings and sculptures of horses
A little history
- late 19th century Tennessee Walking Horse breed developed
- 1939 First Walking Horse Celebration held
- 1870s Bell Buckle founded as railroad town
- early 1900s Wartrace was a resort town for horse enthusiasts
- 1807 Bedford County established
Rivalries
- Shelbyville vs. Tullahoma high school football Friendly cross-county gridiron rivalry.
- Game day Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration
- Game day High school football Friday nights
- Outdoors Canoe or kayak the Duck River
- Outdoors Horseback riding at local stables
- With kids Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration
- With kids Bell Buckle's shops and ice cream
A Southern accent with a drawl, and phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. Locals may say 'Coke' for any soda, and 'holler' for a small valley.
Only here
- The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is the world's largest walking horse show.
- Bell Buckle is known as the 'Antique Capital of Tennessee'.
- Wartrace is the 'Cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse'.
- The RC Cola and MoonPie Festival celebrates a Southern snack combo.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'Shelbyville' with a drawl: 'Shel-bee-vul'.
- Traffic is light, but the Celebration brings crowds in August.
- Try a MoonPie and RC Cola at the festival.
- Visit Bell Buckle on the weekend for the shops.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers.
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Part of Nashville area
Nearby
Every areaTullahomaTennesseeWhere the highland meets the sky.LewisburgTennesseeWhere the Duck River flows through the heart of Tennessee.FayettevilleTennesseeWhere the hills hold their storiesWinchesterTennesseeWhere the mountain meets the valleyPulaskiTennesseeWhere every road leads to a familiar face.McMinnvilleTennesseeRooted in the hills, blooming with pride.NashvilleTennesseeThe sound of the SouthLawrenceburgTennesseeSmall-town charm on the Natchez Trace
Shelbyville, TN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.