Mule Day 2023 will take place from March 30 until April 2, 2023 in Columbia, the “Mule Capital” of the world. The popular family-friendly event features lots of mule events, music, food, competitions, dancing and fine crafts.
The annual celebration began in 1840 as “Breeder’s Day,” a meeting for mule breeders, it now attracts more than 200,000 people and takes place over four days. Maury County’s mule industry has grown into one of the largest livestock markets in the world. Various celebrations date back more than 180 years. A mule is a hybrid animal bred from a mare (female horse) and a jack (male donkey).
Food & admission
Food served at the event includes Italian sausage and peppers, roasted corn, pizza, philly cheese steaks, onion blossoms, kettle corn, hot apple fritters, funnel cakes, ice cream, nachos, lemonade, cotton candy, county ham and of course hamburgers and hot dogs. There will also be homemade desserts.
Admission to the park Thursday through Saturday is $10 for adults with kids under 12 free. Sunday admission is $5. Weekend passes are available for $20. All campers are required to have weekend passes no matter when they arrive. Price includes state amusement tax and is good for all in park activities, excluding rides.
View the parade route here. For more information, click here.
Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, MARCH 30th, 2023
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Arts & Crafts/Flea Market
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Live Music – Main Stage
- 12 p.m. Old Fashioned Log Pulling Competition – Main Arena
- 1 p.m. Dog Show – Old Arena
- 2 p.m. Feed Time Race – Main Arena
- 2:30 p.m. The Quack Pack, Border Collie Sheep Herding Demonstration – Old Arena
- 4 p.m. Jackpot Races – Main Arena
- 4 p.m. Pageant – Old Arena
- 7 p.m. Bluegrass Music Fest – Columbia Central High School
FRIDAY, MARCH 31st, 2023
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Arts & Crafts/Flea Market
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Live Music – Main Stage
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ham & White Bean Plates (Nell Wright Senior Center)
- 12 p.m. Driving Mule Show – Old Arena
- 12p.m. State Auctioneer Contest, United Producers, Inc. Livestock Sale Barn Columbia, TN
- 4 p.m. Cart Barrel Races – Main Arena
- 6 p.m. Gaited Mule Show – Old Arena
- 6 p.m. Live Music – Ridley 4-H Center
- 7 p.m. Liars’ Contest – Columbia Central High School
SATURDAY, APRIL 1st, 2023
- 8 a.m. Maury Regional Mule Kick 5K Race
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Arts & Crafts/Flea Market
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Live Music at Main Stage
- 11 a.m. Parade – Downtown Columbia, TN
- 11 a.m. Mule Pulling Contest – Main Arena
- 12 p.m. Skillington Draft Mule Show – Old Arena
- 6 p.m. Bluegrass Music, Line Dancing & Mule Town Stompers – Ridley 4-H Center
SUNDAY, APRIL 2nd, 2023
- 9 a.m. Worship Service – Main Stage
- 9 a.m. Riding Show – Old Arena
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Arts & Crafts/Flea Market
- 12 p.m. Gospel Singing – Main Stage
- 2 p.m. Mini Mania Mule Show – Old Arena
- 12:30 p.m. Riding Show – Main Arena
