Scene Around Town: Raise the Roof Event

On Aug 15, the fourth annual Raise the Roof  event was held at Harlinsdale Farm. Friends of the Park event to “Bring Back the Horse to Harlinsdale.” Guest had the opportunity to sample bites form local restaurant including, Juice Franklin,Granite City,Sperry’s,and Saffire’s just to name a few.  Guest were encouraged to see the progress made on the arena under construction at the back of the Harlinsdale Farm property.  The arena is 300×150 just larger than a football field with a 1 degree slant to allow for proper drainage when it rains. Harlinsdale Farm was donated by the Harlinsdale family back in 1941 put them name in cement by the barn. As part of the Raise the Roof fundraiser, guests were offered the opportunity to  purchase a paver to mark their name in history as the project comes to competition with concession stands, updated restrooms, terrace seating, and fenced parking areas.

Over 500 guests gathered, the largest to attend a Raise the Roof to date. The excitement for the project can be felt through the words of Dr, Monty McInturff  as he shared how he worked as a teenager at Harlinsdale Farm in the barn.  Throughout the night, McInturff would say,”we want to bring back the horse to Harlinsdale” and “Can You see the Dream?”

The Harlinsdale family donated a two year old sorrel gelding named Rowdy Rapture was auctioned fetching a 15,5K to be donated toward the Harlinsdale Farm restoration project. 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 non-profit has raised more than $1 million from individual, corporate and organizational partners toward the construction of the new arena at Harlinsdale. To learn more, visit Friends of Franklin Parks.

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