City: Columbia, TN

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Telephone: (931) 381-9557

Address: 1018 Maury County Park Dr.

Description: Even if you’re not particularly interested in mules, you’re bound to enjoy this old-time festival, held the first or second weekend (Thurs through Sun) at Maury County Park in Columbia, about 43 miles south of downtown Nashville. The Mule Day tradition began in 1934. Farmers used to bring their mules to town for a livestock show and market once a year, and the festival grew around this annual happening. Today the festival features a mule parade downtown, mule shows, mule pulling, arts and crafts, a flea market, square dancing, a clogging contest, a liars’ contest, and more. You can enjoy “pioneer foods” such as roasted corn, fried pies, and apple fritters as well as traditional festival fare like hamburgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks. This event generates interest from across the country and has drawn as many as 265,000 people (plus about 500 mules) in 1 year. While attending Mule Day, impress your friends by informing them that a mule, as defined by the Random House Webster’s Dictionary, is “the sterile offspring of a female horse and a male donkey.” To get to Maury County Park from Nashville, take I-65 south to the first Columbia exit and turn right. Follow the signs about 10 miles to the park. Traffic at the park usually moves at a snail’s pace, so allow plenty of time for parking and exiting. Admission is $7 for adults and teens; free for children 12 and younger. A weekend pass is $12.