Mule Day is Columbia’s signature annual event that takes place the first week in April. It began in 1840s as “Breeder’s Day”, a one day livestock show and mule market event held on the first Monday in April. Over time Mule Day evolved from being a single day event to a week-long festival that attracts thousands of attendees. The festival starts with welcoming Mule Day Wagon Train into town, and then it continues with various events and competitions (e.g. old fashioned log pulling competition, cart barrel races, mule pulling contest, riding mule show, Miss Mule Day Pageant, a craft fair, live music). Mule Day Parade on Saturday is the highlight of the event. Mule Day is a wonderful celebration of the mule, it is something different, it’s something that you won’t see anywhere else in the United States or the world!
