Mule Day facts for kids
Mule Day is a big yearly party in Columbia, Tennessee. This town calls itself the "Mule Capital" of the world! It's a special event that celebrates everything about mules. It started way back in 1840 as "Breeder's Day." That was a meeting for people who raised mules. Now, Mule Day lasts four days and brings in over 200,000 visitors. Besides mules, you can enjoy traditional Appalachian food, music, dancing, and cool crafts.
The History of Mule Day
Mule Day has been a popular tradition in Columbia for almost 170 years. It began in the 1840s. It started as "Breeder's Day," a one-day event. It was a livestock show and a market where people bought and sold mules.
Over time, Mule Day grew from a single day to a festival lasting almost a week. Thousands of people started coming. Because Maury County was so important in the mule business, Mule Day became one of the biggest livestock markets in the world for a while.
In 1933, a man named Thomas Marion Brown had a great idea. He thought a Mule Day Parade and Celebration would help bring money to the community. He worked with W.D. Hastings and J.J. Johnson to make it happen. They went to the Chamber of Commerce. In 1934, the very first Mule Day Parade took place! Tom Brown designed the Mule Day Crown, which you can see at the Maury County Public Library. He was also the first Grand Marshal and led the parade for about seven years.
Mule Day got even more attention in 2006. This happened when a newspaper article mentioned the Mule Day Parade. It was on a list of places that could be targets for bad things.
Mule Day 2020 was canceled because of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. This was only the second time the celebration was called off since the parade began in 1937. The first time was in 1942. That was shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the United States into World War II.
Fun Activities and Events
Mule Day celebrations include many exciting things to do. You can see square dances, watch mule-driving contests, and enjoy horse shows. There are also crafts festivals and flea markets where you can find unique items.
Other events include competitions for "working mules" and "best of breed" mules. There are also lumberjack competitions. A funny event is the Liar's Contest. In this contest, people tell tall tales or funny, made-up stories with a country theme.
You can find lots of tasty food at the event. Some popular choices are barbecue, roasted corn, homemade pies, and funnel cakes.
Since 1934, the main highlight of the festival has been the "Mule Day Parade." It takes place on Saturday during the celebration. Different floats in the parade compete. Winners in each group get awards like ribbons or money. Each year, there is also a special "Grand Marshal" who leads the parade. Some famous past Grand Marshals include:
- 1998: Pat Summitt (a famous former basketball coach)
- 2000: Lynnette Cole (Miss USA)
- 2009: Phillip Fulmer (a former UT Vols Football coach)
- 2012: Guy Penrod (a gospel music singer)
Other Mule Day Celebrations
Mule Day (or Mule Days) celebrations also happen in other places:
- Benson, North Carolina, started in 1950.
- Bishop Mule Days, Bishop, California, started in 1969.
- Calvary, Georgia, started in 1973.
- Winfield, Alabama, started in 1975.
- Ider, Alabama, started in 1987.
