PUBLIC TO PICNIC AND PREVIEW FRANKLIN’S HARLINSDALE FARM

City acquires famed Walking Horse breeding farm for passive park

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Oct. 27, 2004 – The City of Franklin is hosting Family Day at Harlinsdale Farm, Saturday, Nov. 6, so the general public can preview the recently acquired 200-acre Walking Horse breeding farm which will become a passive park.

The Harlin family, which established Harlinsdale Farm in 1935, formally signed over the land to the city in ceremonies held yesterday.

Harlinsdale was a founding member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association. Wirt Harlin, Harlinsdale founder, and Harlin Hayes, who managed Harlinsdale for 44 years, were later named to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Hall of Fame. Harlinsdale stallion Midnight Sun was a two-time world grand champion and a legend in the breeding industry with 90 percent of all Tennessee Walking Horses alive today tracing their ancestors back to Midnight Sun.

Family Day at Harlinsdale Farm is from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Nov. 6, and will feature barbecue, hayrides, storyteller Doc McConnell, Rocky Top Revue cloggers, music and children’s activities. Joan Elmore, ranked No. 1 in the world (percentage rank) for horseshoe pitching, will demonstrate and offer tips. Harlinsdale Farm is located at 239 Franklin Road, across from The Factory, in Franklin, Tenn. Parking is available at The Factory with transportation provided to and from the farm.