Franklin Rodeo

Since 1949, cowboys and cowgirls have been stampeding to Franklin, Tennessee, every May for the Franklin Rodeo—the largest rodeo in Tennessee and one of the longest-running rodeos east of the Mississippi. Presented by the Franklin Noon Rotary Club, the Franklin Rodeo has been delivering excitement and community impact for over seven decades.

The idea for the rodeo came shortly after the Franklin Noon Rotary Club was established. Looking for a meaningful fundraising project, the club hit upon the notion of hosting a rodeo, despite limited firsthand knowledge of the sport. Long-time Rotarian Jim Hayes recalls the early days:

“Someone suggested a rodeo, but there was a small challenge—we had just one man, Dr. Harry Guffee, who had actually seen a rodeo, and a few others who had migrated from Texas. Dr. Guffee, along with Texans John and Preston Fowlkes and Bob Corley, championed the effort,” Hayes shares. “Another key figure was Ed Moody, who managed the rodeo from the 1950s until 1984.”

The first rodeo was held on Saturday, May 6, 1949, and included a parade that drew the entire community. Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning, local Rotarians, and visiting cowboys led the procession, joined by bands from Franklin High School and Columbia Military Academy. About 1,000 4-H kids and their families were in town and participated, along with countless county residents who rode their horses into Franklin for the event.

That first rodeo was a rousing success, sparking a beloved tradition that continues to this day, celebrating the spirit of the West while giving back to the community.

Today, the Franklin Rodeo looks much different than it did in 1949. Now sanctioned by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) since 2005, the event spans three nights, takes place in an air-conditioned arena, and features nationally ranked contestants and top-tier bucking stock. The annual attendance of over 18,000 fans surpasses the entire 1949 population of Franklin. And the sixty-cent admission from that first rodeo won’t even buy a soft drink today.

Yet, two things remain unchanged: the fans still have a great time, and the Franklin Noon Rotary Club continues to use the net proceeds to benefit the community. The Franklin Rodeo has not only endured but thrived, proving that its legacy of fun and philanthropy is here to stay.

Check out The Franklin Rodeo Website - CLICK HERE