Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Heeeeeee - Hawwwww

So excited......leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to Columbia, Tennessee for the Historic Mule Days. This will be my first time going. I have friends who go every year, and have asked us to go this year.

We were so excited, made our room reservations one year in advance (you have to), then about a month ago, our friends Val and Chase were offered a camp site -on site. I was kinda bummed because I wanted us to stay together, but about 2 days later, they got a call back and were offered another campsite right next to theirs, so we got that one. (Which saved us a bunch of moola also) Camping + Passes = 104.00 for the entire time vs. 119.00+ tax per night in the hotel and 25.00 each for passes. Oh yeah baby !!! More money to buy stuff !

If you have never heard of Mule Days.....here is a little info

Mule Days


What is Mule Day?
Mule Day is an annual celebration of all things related to mules and is held in Columbia, Tennessee, the "Mule Capital" of the world. Begun in 1840 as "Breeder's Day", a meeting for mule breeders, it now attracts over 200,000 people and takes place over four days. In addition to mules, traditional Appalachian food, music, dancing, and crafts are featured.
Mule Day History "Mule Day" has been a popular Columbia tradition for nearly 170 years, since the 1840s. It began as "Breeder's Day", a single day livestock show and mule market event held on the first Monday in April. Over time, "Mule Day" evolved from a single day event into a multi-day festival, attracting thousands of attendees, lasting almost a week. The heavy involvement of Maury County in the mule industry has caused the event to grow over time into "one of the largest livestock markets in the world."


Mule Day Events
If you visit during Mule Day celebrations, you might see a square dance, a mule-driving contest, a horse show, a crafts festival, or attend a flea market. Other events include "working mule", "best of breed", or even lumberjack competitions. Food served at the event includes barbecue, roasted corn, home-made pies and funnel cakes.


Since 1934, the festival has been highlighted by a "Mule Day Parade" held on Saturday during the celebration. Floats in the parade compete, with winners in each judged category receiving awards such as ribbons or money.


The contest for the Mule Day Queen is also held on Saturday. The competition is open to contestants age 15 to 21. The winner is selected based on an essay and other criteria.


The annual mule pull contest requires a pair of mules to pull a sled loaded with cinder blocks 10 feet. Each pair is given 3 tries to make it the full 10 feet. The team that pulls the most weight wins.

This is very cool.....they have mini mules pulling up to mammoth mules.

Plus Friday night, they have a gaited mule show.

I am soooo stoked.
Taking my camera, so hopefully I will have lots and lots of those LONG eared beauties to post.

Have a wonderful rest of the week, and weekend....

Until then.....HEE - HAW!!!!!!
J

8 comments:

Callie said...

OMG! That sounds like a blast! Will have to consider going to that sometime. Sounds like so much fun!

Mrs. Mom said...

LONG EARS!! TONS AND TONS OF LONG EARS, ALL IN ONE SPOT!!! Ohhh Jamie- how I envy you guys right now! Be DARN sure you smooch a mule or two from me please!!!!

Have an AWESOME time guys!

PS- Glad you are still around! hehehe I was wondering how the heck you were just this morning ;)

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Wow! How fun!!! So glad you get to go.
Mules are so cool! Their personalities and the abilities are extraordinary!
Expect lots of pix when you get back!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Whoohoo! So great to hear from you Jamie! And what a fun adventure this Mule Days is going to be. Mules, friends, camping, fun!

Have fun and tell us all about it when you get back, k?

~Lisa

Jamie said...

Thanks guys
I will take lots of pics

Been missing everyone
Got to get my life in order
Not enough hours in the day

But I am still here !!

Five O'Clock Somewhere said...

Sounds like it will be a blast! Take lots of pictures, especially of the mini mules!

Train Wreck said...

Oh how fun! Can't wait to see pictures. I'll bet you come back with great ear shots!lol

Cousin B said...

Hi, I was just cruisin by off Jans site. You have a nice site...Love your horse.
My cousin in Montana uses and rides Mules on his ranch. I had never even heard of Mule days until he started telling me about them. Sounds like they are something else..