Williamson County AG Expo Park — Local services in Franklin

Not Family Fun!

Had a horrible experience at this fair!!! We took our children as a surprise before the start of the school year. They had tractors on display in the arena, on the ground floor. Lots of White children were climbing atop of them and shifting the gears, playing with the lights, etc. When our young Black boys were having their turn, an older White male came over and aggressively turned off the machine and told them to "quit it". I was appalled and immediately approached him and addressed the situation. He was indignant and told me that "It was his tractor and he could say whatever he wanted and tell whoever to get off." I responded by saying that "If he did not want anyone touching his machine, then he should not have it on display OR at least have some signage stating that touching it was prohibited." It was obvious that his grievance with my children was due to the fact that they were Black. White children were playing before they were and he had NO objections at all. My children were heartbroken! They are beautiful and obedient. They could not understand why someone had been cruel to them for no reason at all. We were so disturbed by the incident that we immediately left the fair, although we still had about 15-20 tickets left over for rides .

I called the office and complained the following day. The lady was apologetic, but also gave the man the benefit of doubt. She said that perhaps the owner of the tractor did not see the other children, but only saw mine. I made it clear to her that was highly unlikely and that regardless of what he observed, he should NOT have approached children and said anything to them. Furthermore, he should not have had it on display if he did not want it to be touched. Also, there was no sign stating anything because we checked before hand. We wrote a formal letter to the Fair Board as well. They did not even respond!

This fair is run by a non-profit organization that obviously does not care enough to properly vet people before they volunteer their services, machines, etc. Clearly any racist, bigot can decide to pick on small children of color without consequence! I WILL NEVER return to this place and advise you not to either. If you are a person of color be prepared to be discriminated against. Be prepared not to see any vendors, artwork or performances by people of color. In my opinion, a few nauseating rides and greasy food is not worth your children being emotionaly scared for the rest of their lives. Create positive memories, not negative ones. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere for some...

What an amazing spot and flea market this weekend! Can not wait for the next one.

The Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park, commonly known as the AG Expo Park or WillCo Ag Center, is a premier event venue nestled on 110 picturesque acres in historic Franklin, Tennessee. Conveniently located at 4215 Long Lane, just off I-65 at Exit 61 (Peytonsville Road), it serves as the heart of agricultural, equestrian, and community activities in one of the state’s fastest-growing counties. Opened in 2001, the park was designed to celebrate Williamson County’s rich farming heritage while accommodating modern events, blending rural charm with world-class facilities.   At its core is the expansive Jim Warren Arena, measuring 150 by 300 feet, with permanent seating for 4,180 spectators and room for an additional 3,500 via temporary setups. Adjacent is the 110-by-190-foot Manier Arena, ideal for smaller competitions. The park features 194 livestock stalls in modern barns, ample parking, and versatile spaces for trade shows, rodeos, and expos. It’s also home to the University of Tennessee’s Ag Extension office and 4-H programs, fostering education and youth development in agriculture.  Hosting over 50 major events annually, the AG Expo Park draws approximately 350,000 visitors each year, injecting millions into the local economy. Highlights include the nine-day Williamson County Fair in early August, featuring livestock shows, rides, and live entertainment; the thrilling Franklin Rodeo; the Wild Mustang Makeover; and the Franklin Flea Market with 300+ booths. Other staples encompass horse shows, dog events, craft fairs, and holiday markets, appealing to diverse interests from families to professionals.   Under retiring director Kenny Wallace’s stewardship since its inception, the park has remained rooted in agriculture amid Franklin’s booming population. It promotes sustainable farming, community engagement, and economic vitality, making it an indispensable asset. Free parking and accessibility features ensure inclusivity, solidifying its status as Middle Tennessee’s go-to destination for fun, learning,...

Went to the Williamson County Fair. The farm animals are so perfect for a 2 year old. They have such a wide range to look at and interact with that we did that for 2 hours! The rides are typical fair rides, I don't do fair rides because I don't like any of them anywhere, so not this places fault that they're terrible. Food was also typical, but I like the options here. Also, the arena where they have the yearly rodeo was full of other agricultural experiences with a lot of interactive things that my little guy and daughter loved. They had baby chicks with an egg incubator that had unhatched and hatched eggs in it, a Home Depot booth with free bird house kit that you help your child build, tractors and other farm equipment for your child to jump inside and look at, a wildlife trailer to see some of Tennessee's wildlife, and an interactive planting box that your child learns how to plant seeds in a small pot. There are many area farms represented as well as local products and services being utilized to serve the patrons. We love...