New speed limit signs will celebrate horse show legacy
Germantown is using 25 street signs to celebrate the legacy of the city’s horse show, which is marking its 70th anniversary.
The signs resemble speed limit signs and say, “Horses 10.”
People who donate $1,000 can choose a sign at one of 25 specified locations, with proceeds benefiting Germantown Education Foundation. A sticker will be placed on the back of each sign to acknowledge who donated it and if it was donated in honor of a loved one, according to Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo.
“The signs are very minimal in cost,” Palazzolo said. “We withhold a small amount (to make the signs), probably $25 (each).”
Stephanie Brockway, Germantown Education Foundation’s former executive director, said the signs resemble those seen in downtown Germantown during the 1960s and 1970s.
“It was such an eye-catcher,” Bobby Lanier, executive director of the Germantown Charity Horse Show, said.
Palazzolo said he remembers those signs.
“I have lived in Germantown 41 years,” he said. “I can remember back in my teen days the signs in the city. We had many horse farms in the community, and horses could be present at any point in time.”
Bill Dudley, president of the Germantown Charity Horse Show, said he saw the signs in the 1980s when his daughter started riding.
“I thought it was the coolest thing,” Dudley said.
Palazzolo said over time the signs disappeared, and Dudley said they were stolen.
“People were stealing them, so the city just gave up on them,” Dudley said.
The mayor said the city has banners on street lights throughout the city that advertise what is going on. He said he was talking with Mary Anne Gibson, Germantown alderwoman, and she said she wished to return to the old Germantown days. That generated the idea for the new horse signs.
Palazzolo said the signs will be permanent and when people from outside Germantown come to the city, they can see the signs, ask about them and learn about the city’s equestrian history.
“To me, the city has progressed,” Palazzolo said. “We have a handful of working horse farms, but we have a rich equestrian tradition in the city.”
The signs will be in the old Germantown area and central business district. Palazzolo said it was an area where all the merchants were in the past.
The first sign was placed on Melanie Smith Lane, with former horse show gold medal-winner Melanie Smith unveiling it. It was placed below the speed limit sign.
Two more will be unveiled this week. One purchased for southbound West Street at Saddle Creek will be unveiled at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The other will be on eastbound Poplar Pike at Arthur Road, and it will be unveiled at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Palazzolo said he had already been contacted by more people about the signs and the idea is gaining traction.
Germantown will host its 70th charity horse show June 5-8.
Dudley said this is the largest allbreed horse show in the nation. Officials are expecting 600 horses and are getting ready for the special celebrations. They have already started a painted horseshoe scavenger hunt and will have extra festivities for all ages the week of the event.
Palazzolo said the signs were one way to honor the show’s history and legacy.
“It’s 70 years,” Palazzolo said. “It’s the longest-running charitable event in this region supporting Memphis Exchange Club.”