Beginning early in the day and going till dark, you can experience many forms of entertainment leading off with Gospel singing and ending with Gospel singing. In between you can attend a knife and gun show, eat pancakes at the Memorial Building, see an old fashioned log loading competition, listen to Bluegrass music, and see real live Cloggers along with your fair share of Mules. The main event for me, though, is the parade that goes through downtown Columbia. Most of the parades I've attended have a general theme, as does Mule Day. This one is unique though. Standing on the sidewalks at the intersection I see lots of Mules, but there is also a very strong sense of pride that can be detected in the air. The entries in the parade can be seen waving, smiling, and on many of the floats singing and clogging can be heard and seen from the individuals on the float as they are passing by to the delight of the attendees lining the parade route. The people in the wagons appear to be of the self sufficient, live off the land types that have probably worked hard for the majority of their lives but are smiling and waving all the same. The mules pulling those wagons are very obedient to their masters. For the most part, they turn when they are supposed too, and stop when they are directed too by a simple pull of the reins. Another big item in Tennessee, and it is celebrated all the same every year here in Columbia also; is a drink called Sundrop. This is a citrus drink that most of the natives that I have come into contact with throughout the years just rave over. I have tried it a couple of times, and found it to be too tart for my liking.
This is a time for most locals to stay as far away from Columbia as possible. They say that they don't like the traffic nor the congestion so they choose to stay home or go elsewhere for the weekend. The people that do attend just beam with pride; dressing in cowboy boots and hats, clapping and standing when the military or veteran themed floats pass by, and singing along when they hear "Rocky Top" being played from one of the floats passing by. The state flag can be seen atop the Courthouse which provides an awe-inspiring backdrop to the parade.
Of all the different facets of this celebration I can say there is one that impresses me above all. Notice in the beginning of this post I made mention of how the events at the park get started. Don't scroll back up. It starts with Gospel singing, which is also one of the last events that take place at the culmination of Mule Day. I am very proud to say that I still reside in a town that takes something in which a large part of the identity of that town is based off of, and from start to finish, celebrate Jesus Christ by worship of Him through singing. The pride in Columbia, Tn is evident in the way we walk, talk, say Yes Ma'am and No Ma'am, respect our elders, open doors for ladies, love our fried foods and Sundrop, and celebration of an unlikely animal such as the Mule with dedication of an entire week. But, our religious values are distinctly evident also. God is still God in Columbia, Tn, and this is what makes our town. Being the Mule Town Capital of the World, Sundrop, and taking pride in the way we live takes second chair to the fact that we still believe in God and uphold our religious values.
Thank You Lord, for creation of this world in which we live. Father, for the ability to celebrate you in every aspect of our day to day walk, we give you glory. Thank You God for mules, Sundrop, and small towns with strong religious values that are instilled from birth which we use to celebrate your life. Let us never forget from whom we came from, and continue to provide us with the craving for your Love and Grace. These things we ask of you. Amen.
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