Mule Day, Annual spring festival in Columbia, Tennessee, US.
Mule Day is an annual spring festival in Columbia that transforms the city into a celebration site filled with mule shows, competitions, parades, and agricultural demonstrations. The event runs for several days in April, taking over downtown streets and Maury County Park with diverse activities and attractions.
The festival started in 1840 as a livestock trading event where merchants gathered to buy and sell animals and conduct business. More than a century later, in 1934, it became an organized annual celebration that continues to draw crowds today.
The festival keeps alive the traditions of rural farming life that shaped the region for generations. Visitors encounter music, dance, and crafts that reflect how people in Maury County have worked with these animals and lived off the land.
The festival takes place in April with activities spread across downtown Columbia and nearby parks, so plan to walk around the area. The main parade on Saturday morning draws the biggest crowds, but all festival days offer activities for visitors of all ages and interests.
The festival is known for mule-driving contests and breed competitions where handlers showcase what these work animals can do. These contests remain the centerpiece of the celebration and demonstrate the unique skills and strength of these animals.
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