Former sheriff Joe Arpaio to hold 'driving liberals crazy' event in Nashville

The former Arizona sheriff known for his controversial anti-immigration patrols plans to hold an event in Music City this spring.

Joe Arpaio, the longtime sheriff of Maricopa County who lost re-election in 2016, was convicted last year of criminal contempt of court after a U.S. District Court judge ruled he had purposefully violated a federal order to cease his signature immigration round-ups.

Less than a month after being convicted, President Donald Trump pardoned Arpaio in August, before he could be sentenced.

Arpaio announced earlier this month his plan to run as a Republican for U.S. Senate in Arizona.

On his Facebook and Twitter pages this week, Arpaio announced his March 31 event, "Driving Liberals Crazy," would take place at Limelight Event Center in Nashville.

A similar event planned for Spokane, Wash. in March was canceled this week after a veterans organization partnering with Arpaio for the event received backlash from the community, prompting the group to cut ties with the controversial politician, the Spokesman-Review reported.

Danny Atkins, organizer of both events, said the Nashville speaking engagement was originally going to partially benefit "Greater Veterans," the Spokane-based veterans group, but is now only a "for profit" event between his company, Market Trans Inc., and Arpaio, though not connected to Arpaio's U.S. Senate campaign.

Tickets are between $65 and $250, including a VIP option for lunch and meet-and-greet with Arpaio.

Organizers 'hoping the same kind of backlash doesn't hit Nashville'

Regarding the "Driving Liberals Crazy" title at the top of the Nashville event flier and whether that would be a theme of Arpaio's speech, Atkins said it was "meant to be more funny than anything."

"It's just a little jingle that we thought was cute, and again, I hope it doesn’t get misconstrued and blowed out of proportion" Atkins said. "It's just meant to bring a smile to one’s face."

He said Arpaio would likely talk about his pardon and his "amazing story."

When asked whether he was worried about his event in Nashville also being canceled by organizers, Atkins, an Alabama businessman, indicated he believed Music City would be more open to Arpaio's message.

"I'd be lying if I didn’t say I was a little concerned about it, but I'm hoping the same kind of backlash doesn’t hit Nashville," Atkins said. "We're a little more conservative down south here. It think the people of Spokane overacted. It's not as controversial as they would have everyone believe."

When reached by phone Tuesday, a person who identified himself as the owner of Limelight Event Center but wouldn't give his name declined to comment other than saying he had not heard about the event and wasn't familiar with Arpaio.

Atkins said he was working to secure an acoustic country music performance from "hopefully a couple of well-known artists in the area."

The VIP lunch will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the speaking engagement. Atkins said the event should be over by 4 p.m. that Saturday.

Reach Natalie Allison at nallison@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter at @natalie_allison.