The Franklin Rodeo: From Humble Beginnings to an Enduring Tradition
For most members of the newly formed Franklin Noon Rotary Club, this truly was their first rodeo. Shortly after its creation in 1948, the club began searching for a fundraising project that would make a meaningful impact. Longtime Franklin Rotarian Jim Hayes recalls how the idea came to life: "Someone hit on the idea of having a rodeo, but there was a small problem. We had one man, Dr. Harry Guffee, who had actually seen a rodeo, and a couple of other people who had migrated up from Texas." Dr. Guffee, along with Texans John and Preston Fowlkes and Bob Corley, championed the vision, with key contributions from Ed Moody, who managed the rodeo from the 1950s until 1984. Their passion and determination set the stage for what would become a lasting tradition.
The first Franklin Rodeo was held on Saturday, May 6, 1949, complete with a parade that captured the spirit of the community. Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning led the festivities, joined by local Rotarians, visiting cowboys, Franklin High School and Columbia Military Academy bands, and about 1,000 4-H kids with their families. Many county residents even rode their horses into town, creating an inclusive celebration that continues to this day.
The rodeo's early years were challenging, with fluctuating success due to unpredictable weather and financial uncertainty. Jim Hayes remembers how the Rotary Club considered canceling the event more than once. "There were some strong beliefs among some members of the club that the rodeo would be a good long-term event," he explains. It was the perseverance and vision of those early Rotarians that kept the rodeo alive, laying the foundation for an enduring legacy.
Today, the Franklin Rodeo stands as a testament to the resilience and character of the Franklin Noon Rotary Club and the community it serves. Over seven decades later, it remains a cherished tradition, bringing excitement, entertainment, and service to Franklin and beyond.
The Franklin Rodeo: A Tradition of Giving Back to the Community
Over the past seven decades, the Franklin Rodeo has generated over millions of dollars to support community causes. These funds have provided everything from college scholarships to medical care, making a lasting impact on countless lives. Reflecting on its legacy, longtime Rotarian Jim Hayes shared, “In the 60s, there was a shortage of physicians, dentists, and trained nurses in our county. For many years, the Franklin Noon Rotary Club gave scholarships to medical, dental, and nursing schools. That financial aid produced a number of good doctors, dentists, and nurses.”
Funds raised by the rodeo have also gone toward public school needs, such as purchasing band uniforms and library books. Following the 1950 rodeo, the Review Appeal newspaper noted: "Not only will the reader have the time of his life (at the rodeo), but he is assured that his 60 cents (admission) will be spent wisely on adequate uniforms for the FHS band."
Hayes believes the rodeo is more than just an event—it’s part of the fabric of the Franklin community. “We were an agrarian community, we were farm-oriented, and for rodeo week, it became the main thing we did and the biggest event to happen in Franklin year-round.” While Williamson County has since grown exponentially and shifted away from its agricultural roots, the rodeo remains a beloved Franklin tradition, connecting past and present.
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.