Mike Wolfe to lead Mule Day Parade as grand marshal
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The excitement is building only weeks away from Mule Day, the annual celebration and time-honored tradition held in Columbia, Tennessee the first weekend of April.
This year’s family-friendly event, set for March 30 through April 2, promises to be one of the biggest and best yet, with a lineup of activities sure to excite visitors of all ages. The highlight of the festivities is the world-famous Mule Day Parade happening Saturday, April 1, led by this year’s Grand Marshal Mike Wolfe.
Wolfe is an expert forager of American history, who created and stars on History Channel’s American Pickers. He has a real heart for preservation and a passion for the beauty and the stories behind forgotten objects and places.
More:Mule Day: New events, old favorites expected at biggest event of the year
Columbia earned the title of Mule Capital of the World decades ago. In the days before cars and tractors, people came from miles around to buy, sell, and trade mules in Columbia. Years later, people still gather in Maury County to pay tribute to the long-eared, beast of burden.
Mule Day began as Breeder’s Day in the 1840s, a single day livestock show & mule market once a year. It evolved into a multi-day festival, and the parade was added in 1934. Mule Day was discontinued during World War II then the Maury County Bridle & Saddle Club revived it in 1974. Since then, Mule Day has been drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Thursday, March 30 Maury County Park opens at 10am on to kick off the Mule Day festivities. The schedule includes many mule-featured events throughout the day such as the Mule Pull competition, where teams of mules and their handlers compete to see which team can pull the heaviest load. Visitors will also enjoy craft vendors, a flea market, special entertainment and tasty food & drink options. Live Bluegrass music takes the stage at 7pm at Central High School, located next to Maury County Park.
Friday, March 31 the gates open at 10 a.m. with live music on the main stage, an entertaining selection of mule-featured events all day, and a Liar’s contest at 7 p.m. at Central High School.
Saturday, April 1 the highly anticipated Mule Day Parade gets underway at 11am in downtown Columbia. Excitement builds for the arrival of the Grand Marshal, this year’s honored guest, Mike Wolfe, who officially kicks off the parade featuring a colorful procession through the streets of Columbia with hundreds of mules, parade floats, the MULE DAY Queen with her Court, and more. After the parade, activities move to Maury County Park once again for an afternoon of scheduled activities.
Sunday, April 2 is the final day of scheduled events happening at Maury County Park such as the Riding Mule Show and the Mini Mule Show, not to mention the family-friendly attractions.
More:The importance of Mule Day pride, even if it can be overwhelming for some
Whether you are a longtime fan of Mule Day or a first-time visitor, this year’s event promises to be an unforgettable experience so save the date, gather your family and friends, and head to Columbia, Tennessee for MULE DAY 2023.
NEED TO KNOW INFO: Admission to Maury County Park Mule Day activities Thursday through Saturday is $10 per person, Sunday is $5 per person, children under 12 are free. Weekend passes are available for $20. Admission fee does not include rides. Parking is free.
The Mule Day parade in downtown Columbia is free and open to the public.
For more information, go online to www.muleday.com, email info@muleday.com or call 931-381-9557.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Mike Wolfe to lead Mule Day Parade as this year's Grand Marshal
