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About Mahaffey

Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals, a privately owned company, recently celebrated over 100 successful years serving local and Mid-South area clients. Our history is interesting, and we are extremely proud of it! Way back in 1924, brothers Owen, Gene, and Earl Mahaffey started out making canvas tarpaulins, awnings, and cotton pick sacks. When a request came in 1929 to make a tent, they obliged, only to have their client fail to pick it up. It remained unused until they received a call from the Tri-State Fair (now known as the Mid-South Fair). That call resulted in their first tent rental and the next phase of the business was formed.

In World War II, tent rentals were forgotten as the army contracted the job of making hospital ward tents and ammunition bags to Mahaffey. They shipped a boxcar of tents each week. That remained the sole job of the company for the duration of the war.

In 1972, William F. Pretsch purchased the company from the Mahaffey family when the owner Eldred ‘Red’ Mahaffey died in a private airplane accident. Pretsch immediately saw the benefits of the new clear span structures he had seen in Europe and was the first to introduce them to the American market in 1982. Their popularity was immediate and the company now rents everything from pole tents to frame tents to clearspan structures to just about any party accessory you can think of.

There was a transfer from one generation to the next as William J. Pretsch and George Smith purchased the company from Bill in 2011. Under their leadership, we strive to deliver legendary experiences with top-notch customer service. With each event unique from the last, our experienced design team is here to help see your vision from dream to reality. From tables and chairs to champagne walls and custom-made bars, Mahaffey is the trusted source for Tents and all your party needs.

Browse our online catalog or stop by our showroom today to browse the collection.


About Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals