The 72^nd Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has been recognized as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS). It marks the 22^nd time in the past 23 years that the signature event for The Celebration has been listed as a Top 20 Event.

Celebration CEO Dr. Doyle Meadows commented, “We are honored and humbled to receive this award again. Every year since 1998, when we won the award for the first time, it has been the goal of our staff and Board of Directors to continue to work extremely hard to earn this honor each and every year.”

The Celebration began in 1939 and has grown to an event that draws nearly a quarter-million fans annually. The 2009 Celebration featured nearly 4,000 entries and distributed over $700,000.00 in prize money and awards. The Celebration is the oldest continuously running event in the state of Tennessee.

To be considered for the Top 20 Event recognition, an event must be in its third year of existence and have a minimum attendance of 1,000. Founded in 1983, the STS is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism to its member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Close to 1,000 members make up the society and represent a wide range of travel-related businesses and organizations.

The 72^nd Annual Celebration is scheduled for August 25-September 4, 2010 at the Historic Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville. Ticket information can be obtained through The Celebration Ticket Office at 931-684-5915 or by logging onto www.twhnc.com.