Plans for Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, inaugural “Raise the Roofs” benefit on Saturday, June 16, under a tent at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm are coming together, including an impressive menu from area restaurants and caterers that would be a dream for any foodie.
The fundraiser is being presented by Franklin Synergy Bank, with additional sponsorship by AXA Advisors, Five Points Roofing, and Tennessee Equine Hospital.
The event is planned from 3-7 p.m., with a program at 5 p.m., on the history of the farm and its importance to Franklin’s past as well as to Middle Tennessee’s equine history.
Food vendors committed for the June 16 event include Boxwood Bistro, Stoveworks, Sperry’s, Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant, Amerigo, Cool Café, Southern City Flavors and Constant Craving Caterers, to name a few. The Franklin Farmers’ Market, which is held every Tuesday at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, is coordinating creation of a “farm-to-table” salad course, while Cool Café will provide the ultimate Southern dessert of banana pudding as one of the dessert offerings at the event.
“The generosity of this community is just amazing,” said Dr. Monty McInturff, president of the Board of Governors of Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC. “We issued a request for food vendors to help with this event and an impressive list has stepped forward and we believe we may even add more!
“The people supporting ‘Raise the Roofs’ as table hosts also shows the varied interests of the equestrian community in seeing The Park at Harlinsdale Park preserved and restored,” McInturff said. Table hosts include Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore and his wife Linda, W.W. “Bill” Harlin, Vivian & David Garrett, Rex & Amy Cross Nance and Karla & David Landrum, among many others.
Partner sponsors for the event include Boxwood Bistro, Boyle Investments and Southern Events. Ragan Smith Associates, Franklin Equine Services, and Williamson County Farmer’s Co-Op are Gold sponsors, along with Barge Waggoner Sumner Cannon, the Williamson Herald and YOUR Magazine.
Tickets for “Raise the Roofs” will be $75 per person or $100 to be a patron. Tickets are on sale now online at this link or by calling the FoFP office at 794-0998. Additional sponsorship or vendor opportunities exist or direct financial or in-kind services donations are also being accepted. Contact FoFP Executive Director Mindy Tate at (615) 794-0998 for more information.
The Historic Barn and the Hayes’ Farmhouse on the site are both in need of new roofs to stop further deterioration of the structures which date back to the mid 20th century. Prior to the 2006 purchase of the 200-acre farm by the City of Franklin, Harlinsdale Farm was known as the birthplace of the Walking Horse industry in Tennessee and was a horse breeding farm and home of the legendary “Midnight Sun,” who stood stud for 25 years at the property.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is on the National Register of Historic Places and the property is protected with a conservation easement held by the Land Trust for Tennessee.
Roofing the two main structures at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm — the barn and the Harlin Hayes’ home — is expected to exceed funding budgeted by the City of Franklin. Through this benefit and other pledges, Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, hopes to partner with the City of Franklin and other organizations to help in stopping the ravages of time on these structures.
During the event, the Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission is curating an art show and sale which will include works from local artists including the JGP Artists Group, which for many years painted at the privately owned Harlinsdale Farm.
As well as great food, attendees will have a chance to tour the property, see horses on the site and play croquet, bocce ball and horseshoes in an activity area near the Historic Barn.
Diamond Hitch, an up-and-coming band which has played several Nashville venues, will provide music for the event.
Friends of Franklin Parks was created for private donors to make tax-deductible contributions to fund improvements of area recreational facilities and preserve the cultural and natural resources of our community for future generations. Other priorities of Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, and Franklin Tomorrow include implementation of the city’s adopted Open Space and Greenway Plan to create greater connectivity among parks and throughout the city.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is open for passive pursuits including a dog park, soft trails for walking or running, a pond for catch and release fishing and event rentals. The park is open daily from dawn to dark.
Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, is a partner organization with Franklin Tomorrow, Inc., which was founded in 2001 by a group of community leaders for the purpose of initiating and implementing a broad-based, community driven vision for Franklin’s future. Learn more about both organizations atwww.franklintomorrow.org.