Montana Mule Days this week

The 35th annual Montana Mule Days will take place later this week in Whitehall.

The event that will be hosted for the third straight year at the Whitehall Rodeo Grounds is scheduled for Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9.

The three-day event will host 132 classes in 2019.

Montana Mule Days will start each day at 8 a.m. and the price of admission is $5 a day or $10 for three days.

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 all about being a fun time for all ages. Price added that those who sign up for classes will take things seriously, but also find time to laugh and have a good time.

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.

Price said there is such a variety of classes and something different each year.

Ty Evans, winner of the 2015 and 2016 American Mule Trainers Challenge, will be giving demonstrations on Friday and Saturday. Evans was also the 2019 American Mule Skinner Challenge Championship.

On Sunday, the Three Rivers Back Country Horsemen (Dillon and Sheridan chapter) will put on a packing demonstration.

Price added there will also be both retail and food vendors all three days.

Registration will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 6.

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.

In their second year in Whitehall in 2018, Price said despite the power going out and inclement weather they still were able to put on a good show that people enjoyed, and they had around 130 animals registered.

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

The event will bring in spectators and competitors from across the western United States and Price said a couple from New Zealand will also be attending this year's event.

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

EVENTS SCHEDULE:

Friday, June 7

8 a.m. to Noon

Halter Classes and Trail Classes (to share arena)

Lunch Break: Approximately 1 hour

During Lunch Break

Ty Evans Demonstration

After Lunch Break

Pleasure and Equation Classes

Barrell Racing and Fun Evens

4 up Driving Competition

Misc. Fun Classes

Dinner Break 1 Hour

Log Pulls

Saturday, June 8

8 a.m.

Driving Classes

Steer Daubing

Scurry Rae

Break for Lunch 1 Hour

During Lunch Break

Ty Evans Demonstration

After Lunch

Team Penning

6 Up Hitch Driving

Misc. Fun Classes

Dinner Break 1 Hour

Canadian Maze

Chariot Races

Feed Team Races

Sunday, June 9

8 a.m.

Obstacle Driving

Youth & Fun Classes

Lunch Break One Hour

During Lunch Break

Three Rivers Back Country Horsemen Packing Demonstration

After Lunch

Packers Class

Fat Ass/Slow Ass Express

8 up hitches

Scurry Race

Barrell Race

5 p.m.

Presentation of Hi Points Awards