Mule Day is an annual event in Columbia TN that happens each year at the beginning of April. It didn’t seem like it was going to be anywhere near as big this year, I was beginning to wonder if it was the economy or maybe the GM plant closing. I guess it was neither because even though Columbia was quieter than usual early yesterday by the afternoon things started getting fun.

Mule Day originally started in the 1840′s right about the same time our farm house was built. It started as a gathering of folks who were interested in buying and selling mules. Things grew and even though it was canceled for several years during WWII it returned bigger and better than ever.

according to Wikipedia .. 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.

Even though the population of Columbia is only about 34,000 there will be an extra 200,000 or so in town for the event. Folks come from everywhere and it is quite a site. You know it is that time of year when you see this on the main road in front of the mall.

Aren’t these boys cute? You never know quite what you are going to see. I think the funniest site was a horse tied up to a pay phone while it’s owner went inside of a convenience store. Anyway Mule Day has become a week long event that has a Wagon train that arrives on Wednesday.

The Maury County Bridle and Saddle Club sponsors the event these days and they do a great job. The barns at the park were ready for visitors and even though folks seemed slow in getting here, they were arriving as we drove through the park Wed. Campers and trailers and horses and mules and folks everywhere.

But then the quiet open pastures as we drove home are always appreciated after the crowds. If I get adventurous enough to venture back into town. I will take some more pics for y’all. Here is a quick run down on the events if you are close enough to come check them out.

A week of Mule Day festivities from the Columbia Daily Herald …

WEDNESDAY
- 6:30 p.m. Country and bluegrass music, Ridley 4-H Center — No trip to Columbia is complete without a good old-fashioned hoedown.

THURSDAY
- 10 a.m. Log-loading competition, Main Arena — Watch mule power in motion as logs are loaded onto wagons.
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. All week long, arts and crafts/flea market, Maury County Park

- 10 a.m.-9 p.m. All week long, live music at Main Stage — Music can calm the most savage beast, even if it is as stubborn as a mule.
- 2 p.m. Amazing Grace, Main Arena — A superstar mule that can paint and dunk a basketball.
- 3-9 p.m. Special entertainment/riding mules, Main Arena — Cowboy mounted shooters, jackpot mules races and Paul Daily of Wild Horse Ministry will entertain all.
- 6 p.m. Mule and donkey seminar, Maury County Senior Citizen Center — Knowledge is power, and it’s also the secret to raising a healthy mule.

- 7 p.m. Bluegrass music fest, Columbia State Community College

FRIDAY
- 4 p.m. Amazing Grace, Main Arena
- 6 p.m. Gaited mule show, Old Arena — Watch the mules trot with style.
- 7 p.m. Liars’ contest, Central High School — See who can tell the tallest tale of them all.
- 7 p.m. Clogging Stomppers and Tony Malugin, Ridley 4-H Center — Clogging, an American dance that started in the Appalachian Mountains, will be on display. Tony Malugin will also perform your favorite country music hits.

SATURDAY

- 6 a.m. Pancake breakfast, Memorial Building — With all the activities this week, you’ll be as hungry as a horse. Refuel at the pancake breakfast. Proceeds will fund the many charitable efforts conducted by the Culleoka Lions Club.
- 10 a.m. Mule pulling, Main Arena — Spectators will witness the sheer strength of the mule and see a demonstration of how the animals once powered America.
- 11 a.m. Mule Day parade, downtown — All festivities build up to this event when hundreds of mules march through town. Country superstar Naomi Judd will serve as this year’s grand marshal.
- 2 p.m. Draft mule show, Old Arena — Find out who will be crowned King Mule.
- 4 p.m. Knife auction, Main Stage
- 6 p.m. Amazing Grace, Main Arena

- 6:30 p.m. Mini mania, Old Arena — Check out the miniature mule, a living testament that good things do indeed come in small packages.
- 7 p.m. Square Dance, Ridley 4-H Center — You’ll do-si-do until your heart is content at this shindig.

SUNDAY

- 9 a.m. Church services, Main Stage
- Noon Riding mule show, Main Arena — Check out the pantyhose race, one of the most entertaining Mule day events.
- 2 p.m. Gospel singing, Main Stage