- Mule Day
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Lineup to be judged at Mule Day
Mule Day, an annual celebration of all things related to mules, is held in Columbia, Tennessee, the self-proclaimed "Mule Capital" of the world. Begun in 1840 as "Breeder's Day", a meeting for mule breeders, it now attracts over 200,000 people [1] and takes place over four days. In addition to mules, traditional Appalachian food, music, dancing, and crafts are featured.[2]
Contents
History
"Mule Day" has been a popular Columbia tradition for nearly 170 years, since the 1840s.[1] It began as "Breeder's Day", a single day livestock show and mule market event held on the first Monday in May. Over time, "Mule Day" evolved from a single day event into a multi-day festival, attracting thousands of attendees, lasting almost a week. According to its official website, the heavy involvement of Maury County in the mule industry caused the event to grow for a time into "one of the largest livestock markets in the world."[2]
Mule Day suddenly gained wider notice in 2006 when the Mule Day Parade listing in the National Asset Database, a Department of Homeland Security(DHS) list of potential terrorism targets, was featured in a New York Times article.[3]
Events
If you visit during Mule Day celebrations, you might see a square dance, a mule-driving contest, a horse show, a crafts festival, or attend a flea market. Other events include "working mule", "best of breed", lumberjack competitions and the Liar's Contest, a rural-themed story-telling competition. Food served at the event includes barbecue, roasted corn, home-made pies and funnel cakes.[1][2]
Since 1934,[1] the festival has been highlighted by a "Mule Day Parade" held on Saturday during the celebration. Floats in the parade compete, with winners in each judged category receiving awards such as ribbons or money.[2]
Other Mule Day (or Mule Days) celebrations
- Benson, North Carolina, begun in 1950.[4]
- Bishop Mule Days, Bishop, California, begun in 1969.[5]
- Calvary, Georgia, begun in 1973.[6]
- Winfield, Alabama, begun in 1975.[7]
- Ider, Alabama, begun in 1987.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d "Mule Day A Local Legacy". Library Of Congress. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es/tn/mule_1.
- ^ a b c d "Mule Day article at Columbia, TN, web site". City of Columbia, TN. http://www.columbiatn.com/muleday.htm.
- ^ Lipton, Eric (2006-07-12). "DHS report questions target listings". The New York Times Company. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/12/washington/12assets.html. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ^ "Benson Mule Days". Benson Chamber of Commerce. http://www.bensonmuledays.com/index-2.html.
- ^ "Bishop Mule Days Celebration". Bishop Mule Days Celebration. http://www.muledays.org/.
- ^ "Calvary Mule Day". http://www.calvarylionsmuleday.com.
- ^ "Mule Day". City of Winfield. http://www.winfieldcity.org/chamber/muledayinfo.
- ^ Andrew Smith (August 28, 2008). "Ider Mule Day is Monday". The Weekly Post. http://www.theweeklypost.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cc08b59555b5ade5.
External links
Categories:- Agricultural shows in the United States
- Livestock
- Columbia, Tennessee
- Festivals in Tennessee
- Visitor attractions in Maury County, Tennessee
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