WINFIELD – Mule Day, a two-day event centered on mules and their role in rural farming, hits the streets of downtown Winfield this month, bringing with it free family fun. Vendors of all kinds, local merchant sales, 5K run, rodeo, car show and antique tractors, mule judging, disc golf tournament, fireworks and a parade are all on the agenda as the North Alabama town celebrates its agricultural heritage.
Now in its 50th year, Mule Day kicks off Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. when shoppers are invited to Mule Night Madness. There will also be live music, a spectacular firework show that can be viewed while shopping downtown and runners can take part in a midnight 5K run. Onsite registration for the 5K is from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Winfield City Hall or may be completed in advance online at https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/
On Sept. 28, the festivities get underway at 7 a.m. As festivalgoers wander through the town, approximately 300 arts and crafts and flea market vendors will be selling their wares. Antique vehicles will be on display in the grove at Winfield Middle School and, not to be missed at 11 a.m., is the highlight of the annual event – the downtown parade of mules, horses, jacks and jennies.
Saturday’s lineup also includes the Mule Day Disc Golf Tournament, PDGA-sanctioned event by Prodigy Disc, at Ivan K. Hill Park at 9 a.m. Registration for the disc golf tournament can be found at https://www.discgolfscene.
The Mule Day Rodeo is back again for the 2024 festival. The second annual Mule Day Rodeo is set to take place both Friday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 5 p.m. and there will be food trucks and vendors.
Mutton Bustin’ gets underway at 6:30 p.m. with the rodeo hitting the dirt at 7:30 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ features children ages 6 years old and younger and under 55 pounds riding sheep out of a chute and into the arena. To register, visit the announcer stand between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m. Cost is $25 (cash only). The rodeo will be at the Gateway Shopping Center; admission is $20 per person, 3 and under free.
Admission to the Mule Day festival is free (unless otherwise noted) with free shuttle service Saturday. For more information, visit http://www.winfieldcity.org/ or call the Winfield Chamber of Commerce at 205-487-4265.
The Mule Day tradition began in 1975 to honor the hardworking mules of the day, and an estimated 25,000 people from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida are expected to attend the festival.
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