Mule Days returning to Whitehall

For the second straight year, Montana Mule Days will take place in Whitehall.

The 34th annual event is scheduled to take place June 8 to 10 at the Whitehall Rodeo Grounds and will feature a record 151 classes in 2018.

The only mule and donkey show in Montana, the event that brings in participants from across the western United States and Canada is a presentation of the Montana Longears Association.

Event organizer Tara Price of Whitehall said Montana Mule Days is an event for the whole family and is fun for all ages.

There are classes for youth, juniors, adults, showmanship, performance and driving, as well as the popular spectator events like big hitches, packing, and chariot racing.

Ty Evans, winner of the 2015 and 2016 American Mule Trainers Challenge, will be giving demonstrations all three days, and will also be giving a clinic in Whitehall from June 4 to 6. The Dillon Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen will be on hand Saturday for a packing demonstration.

Price encouraged local residents to come and check out the events or to sign up for classes, adding mule and donkey folks are really easy to get along with.

She said Montana Mule Days isn't necessarily about winning, but is more about fun and learning, adding someone will always be willing to answer questions someone has about mule or donkeys.

Price has heard positive feedback about the first event in Whitehall, and credited the area crew and members of the Montana Longears Association for all their hard work.

"Without them it would not have gone that smoothly," she said.

Over 1,000 made their way through the gates in 2017.

Looking to the future, Price would like to keep the event in Whitehall and it has been put on the rodeo arena schedule for 2019 and 20.

Price said not only did people like the arena and beauty of area, the easy access to Whitehall from Interstates 90 and 15 make it a great location to host Montana Mule Days.

The price of admission is $5 a day or $10 for all three days. There will also be a variety of vendors all three days. The show starts at 8 a.m. each day.

For more information or to download entry forms visit http://www.montanamuledays.com. For additional information email montanamuledays@gmail.com.

Registration will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 7.