We’re Ready to Celebrate: Mule Day 2023
The mules are coming! The mules are coming!
On March 27, the 2023 Mule Day celebration will begin in Columbia, Tenn. The event — a 180-year tradition — is inspired by Maury County’s farming tradition and its time as a mule trade leader. Today, it is a multi-day event that brings together more than 200,000 locals and visitors alike for fun, food, and family.
Mule Day kicks off on Monday in the form of a wagon train in which teams of mules and horses pull wagons throughout the county to advertise and build excitement for the festivities. The caravan, which will include about 50 wagons, retraces the steps that people would travel every spring as they made their way to Columbia’s Square to trade their mules and other goods.
“If you’ve never attended a Mule Day in Columbia, it’s something you need to do at least once in your life.”
The wagon train ends on Wednesday in Maury County Park and the rest of the Mule Day events begin on Thursday. These events include an arts and crafts market, an old-fashioned log pulling competition, a 5k race, border collie herding demonstrations, the Miss Mule Day Pageant, cart barrel races, line dancing, a state auctioneer contest, a mule pull, live music on several stages and so much more.
“If you’ve never attended a Mule Day in Columbia, it’s something you need to do at least once in your life,” said Louise Mills, public relations manager and long-time member of the Maury County Bridle and Saddle Club, which has been organizing the event since 1974. “There is entertainment for children and everyone in the family. There is always an excitement in the air.”
The highlight of the event is the Mule Day Parade, which begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
“The parade that we have downtown Columbia has close to 350 entries,” said Mills. “It has this old country feel.”
This featured Grand Marshal for the parade will be "American Picker" creator and host Mike Wolfe. Mills, who is approaching her 40th year with the Bridle and Saddle Club and 20th year with the Mule Day Office, will serve as honorary grand marshal. She said she is looking forward to spending the event with her grandchildren.
According to a 2018-2019 study, Mule Day events have a significant economic impact. In 2019, the events generated more than $3 million for the area, including just over $900,000 in hotel stays and $920,000 through local restaurants and food establishments.
“It has quite a sizable impact on Maury County,” said Mills.
To learn more about Mule Day and see a full calendar of events, visit MuleDay.com.
