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by Joshua Heston, editor
The official instrument of Missouri is the fiddle, but the mule — a symbol of these hills if there ever was one (and the official state critter) — took center stage this weekend at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.
For three days this September, a very-Ozarks celebration of mules and donkeys reigned through multiple competitions and parades.
The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds on the north side of Springfield is a pretty place.
The arena and barns are punctuated with white oaks. Bright blue snow-cones and cheeseburgers abound. And folks come from far and wide to trade and visit and learn.
But most of all, folks come to take part in the competitions.
And when it gets down the competitions, it’s katy-bar-the-door. It doesn’t matter whether riders are in the balloon race, playing musical tires or monkey-in-a-tree, the riders are serious — and the riding skills are exceptional.
As recordings of George Jones, Garth Brooks and The Baha Men sounded over the loudspeakers, riders of all ages pushed themselves to the limit.
The cowboy mounted shooting involves single riders riding at a gallop through the arena, firing blanks at mounted balloons. The following balloon race was general brawl as riders chased each other in an attempt to pop balloons pinned to competitors backs.
Kids thronged into the arena in a desperate attempt to catch a pig.
Monkey-in-a-tree requires a long rope, great balance, and the hope that your mule’s patience won’t run out as you swing back and forth over him.
Good sportsmanship showed in the musical tires game (an experienced rider in the under-16-class gave first place to a much younger rider) and riders’ abilities were pushed to the limit in the wild mule ride.
In the end, however, it comes down to a very simple thing.
These days, it’s much easier to watch life go by, sitting on the sidelines and staring at our TVs. Here — on the north side of Springfield on a fairgrounds punctuated by white oaks — were a group of folks dedicated doing something.
Something requiring a great deal of skill — something with a fair amount of risk. And something with a heritage that reaches far back into these old hills.
It’s a very special event. Missouri Mule and Donkey Days.
These folks —of all ages — deserve our respect.
— © StateoftheOzarks, September 12, 2009
