Third Annual “Raise the Roofs” Benefits Harlinsdale Park

Harlinsdale Farm Rendering

The campaign to bring horses back to the historic Park at Harlinsdale Farm is off on the right hoof, and Friends of Franklin Parks plans to race toward completing its fundraising goal at the Third Annual Raise the Roofs event on Saturday, Sept. 13. For the third year in a row, Franklin Synergy Bank is the presenting sponsor.

Organizers are using the event as a kickoff to the new multi-purpose arena project at Harlinsdale, with a focus on the equestrian roots of Williamson County. The organization has been working with the City of Franklin on a master plan for the five-acre arena, and has gained final approval to move forward this fall.

Starting at 4 p.m. on Sept. 13, the program will include a polo match, a showcase of various breeds of local horses, tours of the recently stabilized 1940s main barn, memorabilia exhibits and more, along with great food and drink from area restaurants.

“Raise the Roofs has always been a lot of fun, but we’re taking it to another level this year as we work to bring horses back to Harlinsdale,” said Dr. Monty McInturff, president of the Board of Governors of Friends of Franklin Parks. “Mr. Harlin will be there to walk people through the barn and share the legacy of this great farm, and we’ve got some other surprises in store too. Our plan is to use this event as a platform for starting construction on the arena that will make this dream a reality.”

McInturff did reveal one exciting detail: a four-year-old gelding descended from the two world-famous horses now buried at Harlinsdale will be offered as part of a live auction.

“Gen’s Major General on the sire side and Prides Gold Coin on the dam side – both of these great stallions are in the line of Midnight Sun and Pride of Midnight,” said McInturff, a veterinarian and co-owner of Tennessee Equine Hospital, who worked at Harlinsdale as a teenager. “These are the two foundation sires of this legendary farm, and the horse (registered as ‘Ready to Roll’) is beautiful and already trained for anyone to ride.”

Mr. Bill Harlin, the original owner of Harlinsdale Farm who now operates a farm by the same name in College Grove, Tenn., donated the horse and will be on hand to offer tours of the barn at the Raise the Roofs event.

Raise the Roofs attendees will be treated to signature dishes from a number of area restaurants and caterers, including the Franklin Chop House, Cool Café, Embassy Suites, Catering & Events by Suzette, and Circa of Thompson’s Station. The list of participating food vendors is growing daily, and Lipman Brothers will provide libations for the event. Additional restaurants will be announced soon.

Friends of Franklin Parks was founded in 2011 with a mission to enhance Franklin’s city parks with private dollars. Over the course of three years, the organization has raised more than $400,000 through grants and individual donations, which represents nearly two-thirds of the approximately $625,000 needed to complete the arena project. To learn more about the organization, visit www.friendsoffranklinparks.org.

Tickets are $75 per person and reserved tables for eight or 10 guests are available. Purchase tickets online at www.2014raisetheroofs.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Mindy Tate at (615) 794-0998 or by email at [email protected].