Mule Mania in Dayton starts today
DAYTON -- Mules and their owners are gathering in Dayton this week for Mule Mania, a mule and donkey show, riding and driving competition and chuck wagon cook-off.
At least 120 mules are expected for competition and other activities beginning today and running through Sunday at the Columbia County Fairgrounds.
It doesn't take much encouragement to get admirers of the long-eared, dainty-hoofed animals, a cross between a male donkey and a female horse, to sing the animals' praises.
"When you think about it, a mule does everything a horse does. Pulling a wagon, sorting cows," said event chairman Les Teal.
Mule owners began arriving at the fairgrounds Sunday, and among those pulling in this week were Russ and Wendy Anderson and son Trevor of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.
They traveled two days with a semi pulling a trailer loaded with eight draft mules, and a large motorhome pulling an also-large cargo trailer.
As she filled water tubs for their mules, Wendy Anderson said they usually travel to several shows every year.
Russ Anderson was familiar with draft animals because his father logged with horses in the Baker City, Ore., area.
But it was a neighbor who had managed mules in the Army who introduced him to the hybrid beasts. The neighbor turned a couple of his mules over to Anderson to use.
Next, Russ Anderson purchased two mules to use for packing and hunting.
Russ Anderson said the purpose of the Mule Mania show is to show people how versatile a mule is, and how many things they can do.
But don't look for the Andersons in the riding events.
"We're all about wagons and carts and drivers," he said.
Admission to all events is free, except the chuck wagon dinners Friday and Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $15 and can be purchased by calling the Dayton Chamber of Commerce at 382-4825.
For a complete schedule of events, go to mulemaniadayton.com.
This story was originally published July 14, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Mule Mania in Dayton starts today ."