After seven-year absence, mule pull event is returning to the county fair

For the first time since 2016, the Whitley County Fair will feature a mule pull when it takes place next week.

“I’ve talked to several pullers that are coming,” noted Larry Barton, who is organizing the event. “If people come and watch, they will have the opportunity to see good stuff.”

He said he has talked to several interested people about it and is expecting to have between 10 – 20 teams of either mules or draft horses participating.

Barton said last week that he has already spoken with people from Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia about participating.

A mule pull involves pairs of either mules or draft horses pulling a sled to see which team can pull the biggest load the furthest.

There will probably be two to three classes for mules and one class for draft horses. For instance, there will be one team of Belgian draft horses that will weigh between 5,300 – 5,400 combined pounds.

“They are big,” Barton added.

The classes will be broken down by the combined size of the teams, which is determined by total weight. Bigger animals normally can pull heavier loads.

Barton said that he wouldn’t be surprised to see the winning draft horse team pull 10,000 pounds or more.

He said that there was always a good crowd when the mule pull was held at 3-R Arena several years ago as part of the Whitley County Fair, and he is hoping for a good crowd again this year.

While pulling mules is a dying sport with fewer and fewer people with mule teams taking part, Barton noted that it is still an enjoyable sport to take part in and one that many people typically enjoy watching.

“If people come out, they will have a good time,” Barton predicted.

“If you haven’t ever seen it, you might enjoy it,” Barton added. “They are amazing animals.”

The mule pull will take place on Saturday, July 15 at the Whitley County Fairgrounds.

Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. and the mule pull will start at 10 a.m.

There is a $10 daily gate entry fee for people ages 12 and over. There is a $5 fee for children ages 6 – 11. Children ages five and under will be admitted for free.

You can purchase a three-day pass for $25 for people ages 12 and over, and $10 for children ages 6 – 11.