The small town of Benson, North Carolina, with a population of around 4000, will swell to approximately 20,000 come September when the Annual Benson Mule Days Celebration, sponsored by the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce, takes place. For over 75 years, this 4-day festival has been packed full of mule events that celebrate the "beast of burden" and the historic role of mules in rural farming. Visitors come from as far away as Alaska, Germany, and California to see and also participate in Mule Days, which is filled with family fun and activities for everyone, young and old.

For a full schedule of events, and to keep up with what's happening at Mule Days every year, visit the event's official website: www.bensonmuledays.com.  

A blanket of excitement covers the area as visitors converge on the town and outlying regions, bringing horses, mules, wagons, campers, and unusual equine contraptions to settle in for a four-day hiatus.  Wednesday and Thursday, campers settle in as they prepare to attend the event's kickoff headlining concert, which is always held on Thursday evening in the Benson Singing Grove on Main Street. 

Benson Mule Days, the largest festival held in Johnston County, NC.

Friday, visitors can enjoy the multiple mule events held in the Chamber Park and Arena. See barrel racing, mule jumping, plowing, and other events.  New for the last few years is “Mules Got Talent.” From these competitors, the “Grand Champion” is chosen and will be in the Benson Mule Days parade on Saturday.  If you haven’t seen a mule competition, this is a “must-see” for the whole family.

Downtown will be full of vendors and entertainment on the Parrish Drive Stage.  And it is always fun to walk into local businesses that offer a variety of products in our area.  Want to see a real mule stable?  Check out the last standing mule stable in Benson, offering tours throughout the day for the entire weekend.  You will also be able to take a tour of historic Downtown Benson in a horse-drawn trolley. 

Double Creek Pro Rodeo will present an SRA-sponsored rodeo on Friday and Saturday evenings. Come early to visit the vendors and ride the carnival rides. After the rodeo on Friday and Saturday, you can shake a leg at the Mule Day Dance.  

Mule Days Cowboy, Benson, NC.

Saturday is a big day at Benson Mule Days as thousands of spectators grapple for a place to sit or stand to observe one of the biggest parades in North Carolina.  Bands, floats, Shriner units, classic cars, antique tractors, unique entries, beauty queens, and hundreds of horses, mules, buggies, wagons, and more make their way down Main Street of Benson beginning at 10:00 AM and lasting till Noon. Saturday also features an art show, an antique tractor display, plus more carnival rides, trolley rides, musical entertainment, and dancing. 

On Sunday, start the day with a Cowboy Church Service at the Benson Singins Grove, enjoy carnival rides and vendors for one more day before all festivities end in the early evening. There is a lot to do during Benson Mule Days, and it is a great time to stroll the beautiful town of Benson. For more information, you can call (919) 894-3825. Need a camping lot or vendor information? You may contact the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce at the same numbers.