Things to do: Mule Day, First Fridays, Phelps Barn Bash, autism awareness with animals
This weekend is all about Mule Day, spreading beyond Maury County Park and throughout the county, featuring live music, First Fridays, autism awareness with animals and Saturday's annual Mule Day parade.
1. Mule Day weekend, Parade Saturday
The 50th annual Mule Day will kick into full force starting Friday with events happening in and around Maury County Park.
This includes some of the long-standing traditional mule shows and competitions, as well as live music and other events, with the annual Mule Day Parade taking place starting at 11 a.m. Saturday in the heart of downtown Columbia.
More: Mule Day saddles up to celebrate 50th year with Clay Walker as Grand Marshal
Be sure not to miss some of Mule Day's annual favorites such as the State Auctioneer's Contest, The Liar's Contest, even cowboy-style line dancing on Saturday night.
In addition to this weekend's main Mule Day events, the annual festival will also include other events, such as First Fridays, which are listed below.
For the full schedule of this year's Mule Day events, visit www.MuleDay.com.
2. First Fridays, Strolling on 6th
Prior to Saturday's parade, which annually draws thousands of people to downtown Columbia, the square will kick the weekend off with a Mule Day First Fridays.
As always, shops will stay open late, music will ring throughout downtown from restaurants, with food trucks and more to explore.
First Friday events typically run from 5-8 p.m., with live music and certain venues remaining open later.
The Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance, along with Title Associates of Columbia and RE/MAX Encore will also host the monthly Strolling on 6th block party along the 100 block of West 6th Street from 5-8 p.m.
The block party will feature additional live music, local vendors, food trucks, games and prize giveaways.
Food trucks at Strolling on 6th will include:
H.O. Porter Youth Council Fish Booth
Real Smokue BBQ
Ooh La La
Gia’s Kitchen
M&M Plus Catering
Springers Lemonade and Fried Pies
3. David Phelps Mule Day Barn Bash
Dove Award-winning singer David Phelps will celebrate Mule Day at his Culleoka farm this Saturday with a special concert event.
Phelps' Mule Day Barn Bash will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Phelps Farm, 2659 Culleoka Highway.
In addition to Phelps and his band, the "Americana Celebration" concert will also feature special guests Down River Collective & Good Bellows.
A pre-show Mule Day Garden Party will also take place starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, which will include live cooked hors d'oeuvres with Chef Michael, live music by String Trio and Phelps, also well as photo ops and a party favor for guests.
Tickets to the Garden Party do not include access to the Barn Bash concert.
Tickets to David Phelps' Mule Day Barn Bash are between $55-$95, while pre-bash Garden Party tickets are $125 and are available at www.DavidPhelps.com.
4. Autism Awareness at Hidden Bee Farm
Families wishing to get out this weekend without the trouble of large crowds, especially those with children with certain special needs have a place to go.
In celebration of April being Autism Awareness Month, Hidden Bee Animal Rescue, 753 Carters Creek Pike, will host a special farm day dedicated to those with autism and neurodivergent disorders.
The event will take place starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, offering an inclusive environment for guests to relax, interact with animals and enjoy a day on the farm.
The farm also offers certain sensory activities geared towards children with special needs, including feeding the animals.
Guests are also invited to bring a lunch and have a picnic. The event will run until 2 p.m.
5. Live entertainment
Stephanie Adlington will perform at Farmstead Roots Market & Cellar, 803 S. Main St., starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints will perform at McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 814 S. Main St., starting at 7 p.m. Friday.
Bronco Billy and The Wild Mustangs will perform at The Boondox, 3543 Highway 431, starting at 8 p.m. Friday.
Polly's Pocket will perform at Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 150 Stephen P. Yokich Parkway in Spring Hill, starting at 8 p.m. Friday.
Golden Soul Revue will perform at Puckett's in downtown Columbia starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Rebel Bar & Grill, 307 Riverside Drive, will host a special Mule Day Party starting at noon Saturday, featuring performances by Billy Tarkington, Grits and Whiskey and Krystal King.
Yacht's Landing will perform at The Mulehouse, 812 S. High St., starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20-$25 and are available at www.TheMulehouse.com.
Bald Kernal will perform at The Tilted Mule, 102 Depot St., starting at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The French Family Band will perform at Hardison Mill Homestead Hall, 4544 Highway 431, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 and available at store.joeyandrory.com.
Boomerang will perform at The Boondox, 3543 Highway 431, starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Poor Life Choices will perform at Twisted Copper Brewing Company, 121 S. Main St. in Mt. Pleasant, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Things to do: Mule Day, First Fridays, Phelps Barn Bash, autism awareness
