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, live music, fireworks show, 5K run, rodeo, car show and antique tractors, mule judging, cornhole tournament, disc golf tournament and a parade are all on the agenda as the North Alabama town celebrates its agricultural heritage Sept. 22-23.
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.
Mule Day kicks off 6 p.m. Sept. 22 when visitors are invited to shop with local merchants and among 300 vendors during the 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 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Winfield City Hall or may be completed in advance online here.
On Sept. 23, 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. Starting at 8 a.m., 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. and a cornhole tournament at the Spann Real Estate parking lot. Registration for the cornhole tournament begins at 9 a.m. and bags fly at 10 a.m. Preregistration is available at Scoreholio.com.
An exciting addition to this year’s Mule Day is the inaugural William Arnold Memorial Rodeo, set to take place both 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 held in front of the Gateway Shopping Center. Admission to the rodeo is $15 nightly per person.
Admission to Mule Day is free (unless otherwise noted). Free shuttle service will be offered 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 today an estimated 25,000 people from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida attend the festival.
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