Wednesday, November 18, 2009

2009, October 10, 29th Mule Day Big Success With New Events




Mule Day festival big success with more mules, more locals

Old engines and tractors, as well as shady picnic tables, were a big attraction at Mule Day.
Saturday's 29th annual Mule Day Southern Heritage Festival was a big success, organizers say, with more mules, more local participants, and more exhibitors than in years past.

"People have been stopping me all day and saying how much they enjoyed Mule Day this year," organizer Carol Cartledge said. "I was very pleased at how many local participants we had, and at how many people came out to enjoy the events."

Along with the mules, the event showcased some 45 primitive craft demonstrators and 55 vendors, Tourism Director Ashley Barnett said. "Carol Cartledge did a great job and worked so hard at chairing the event this year," she said. "With about 2,000 people in attendance, we are so thankful to those who came out for the event. We had so many travel from all over to attend Mule day from Tennessee, South Carolina, west and south Georgia, North Carolina, and so many other places."

In the day's mule events, Smith Wilson's 13-year-old Belgian mule Kit took Grand Champion in Singles, and Kit, paired with the blond Belgian mule Bird, took the Grand Champion trophy in Pairs. In awarding the trophies, Judge Jack Logan of Eatonton said that Kit and Bird were "the finest pair of mules in the state."

"We had an outstanding selection of mules to compete," said James Callaway. "I'm very pleased at the turnout."

Adding to the historic feel of the day were the Confederate encampment complete with regular cannon fire, and some 40 costumed docents from the United Daughters of the Confederacy. "David and Debra Denard really added a great historic touch to the day bringing to life the period of the War Between the States," Cartledge said.

Displays of antique tractors and old traction engines were popular, too, along with several antique and classic autos. Old-time craft demonstrators showed visitors how their ancestors made soap, made chairs, and a dozen other primitive crafts. "Thank you to Ricky Callaway for his leadership on bringing back the antique machinery and tractors," Barnett said, "and thank you to Tammy Bryngelson for lining up First United Methodist Church for the children's games. The kids had a great time with all the games."

It took a community effort of dozens of local citizens to pull it off, Barnett said. "Mule Day is one of the great events that Washington- Wilkes has, and we are so thankful to all those who made it possible."
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