For over 75 years, Benson's Mule Days festival has been a cherished tradition on the fourth weekend of September. This festival, which draws 20,000-30,000 people over a four day period, is filled with family fun and activities for everyone young and old. The weekend is packed with rodeos, a mule pulling contest, arts and crafts, vendors, dances, carnival rides, camping, parades, bluegrass shows and more.

The parade alone draws about 20,000 people. This festival is considered one of the largest festivals in North Carolina and the parade has hundreds of horses, mules, buggies, and unusual entries. Visitors come from as far away as Alaska, Germany and California.