Mule Day celebrates '50 years of long ears' with big crowds, old traditions and new events

Columbia's 50th Mule Day went off without a hitch, so to speak, once again drawing thousands to the Southern Middle Tennessee community for a week of competitions, parades, food and more.

As always, Mule Day officially kicked off last Monday as the annual Mule Day Wagon Train lined up and began its miles long journey to Maury County Park, arriving Wednesday afternoon along with other fellow campers, vendors and volunteers.

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The festival continued throughout the weekend, with stormy weather earlier in the week clearing just in time for the crowds to show up, with the aroma of fried corn, turkey legs and livestock filled the air. It also allowed Saturday's parade to be pulled off on a warm, sunny day.

This year's parade was led by country artist Clay Walker, who served as the 2024 grand marshal.

Following Walker was a tribute to longtime Mule Day organizer and supporter Dave Skillington, as well as Mule Day Queen Anissa Grimes and her court, which included the first honorary Mule Day Queen Carly McGee. Other parade leaders included the second annual Mule Man, Bernis White and his family.

"We've had really good attendance this year, though it was a little chilly, but we had a great crowd," Mandy Mills of The Mule Day Office said. "It's always like seeing your family again, your Mule Day family."

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50 years of 'long ears' not slowing down

The origins of Mule Day date back a century when Columbia was considered the mule trading capital of the nation.

However, Mule Day as we know it today was re-introduced in 1974, following a long hiatus due to World War II. And it started, as many local events and projects do, through a collaboration of community groups, sponsors and supporters. This included the Maury County Bridle & Saddle Club, who was only a few years old at the time.

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Even The Daily Herald and local radio stations contributed to backing this new Mule Day revival initiative.

The 1974 Mule Day revival was organized starting with a budget of only $500. Columbia's government, as well as the Maury County Chamber of Commerce soon came on board to also show their support.

The first Mule Day consisted of the parade, a mule pulling and mule show, as well as a square dance.

"The Maury County Park was different then compared to now," Bridle & Saddle Club President Harv Spann said. "Now, the facilities are better. We have two arenas, covered bars, enclosed metal buildings and bathrooms, several bathrooms."

Some of those old traditions are still celebrated to this day, while others have been created throughout the years to become their own annual "must-do" annual activities, especially if you've got an empty stomach.

The Maury County Senior Center, for example, has hosted its white bean and country ham day dating back to the beginning back when the facility was founded nearly 50 years ago. The event not only raises funds for the center's programming but has created bonds and memories over the years while sharing a downhome Southern-cooked meal.

"On Friday, people always plan for their lunch at the Senior Center," MCSC Executive Director Steve Thomas said. "The menu is pretty solid."

It's also a tradition that has been shared by multi-generations over the years, and that sometimes a good old-fashioned meal is more than just food on a plate, but a memory. It could be those years as a youngster growing up in the country, a loved one who has passed on or simply part of the annual tradition which gives back to the community's elderly.

"The guy who sells pork chops and turkey legs, he and I have become friends over the years. I try to invite all the vendors because this is always a big day for us," Thomas said. "He told me, 'Steve, I'll be there, because my daddy loved white beans and he's gone now, so I can eat that lunch and think about him. I thought that was pretty nice, really nice."

Contests, new Mule Day youth programs

Another popular aspect of Mule Day throughout the years are events such as the Liar's Contest or the Auctioneer's Contest, each of which continue to draw more contestants year after year.

For the 50th, this year's auctioneer's contest featured a new category, inviting young people to now take part in the longstanding Mule Day tradition, which organizers say has grown in popularity to rival the official state competition.

"This is our 13th year and yesterday was a booming success with 34 auctioneers from 10 states, and our new youth contest had eight kids from about three states, and we had a great time with that," Jimmy Duggar of Crye-Leike said. "The most important thing is that this is for Breakfast Rotary Club, and all of the money from yesterday's proceeds go to our scholarship program. It has fully funded our scholarship program since we started 13 years ago, and we're over $80,000, not counting yesterday, for this program we've done every year."

Other new favorites returning this year was the third annual Mule Day Dog Show, as well as the second annual little Miss Mule Day Pageant.

This year also marked the first for a new program aimed at education scholarships. The Mule Day WORKS program provides career and technical education (CTE) and vocational training scholarships for students. This will provide funding for things like tuition, books and other materials.

For more information on the Mule Day WORKS scholarship program, visit www.MuleDay.com/WORKS.

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: Mule Day in Columbia celebrates '50 years of long ears'