Over the Memorial Day week Bishop, CA hosts Mule Days which it has been doing for the past 41 years. It is all about, you guessed it, Mules. People come from all over the United States to compete in over 180 events, to sell mules, to get together with other "mule" people, learn about mule handling, walk in a mule parade, go to dances and barbecues and just have a good time. Never have I seen so many mules at one time in one place.
It seems that I know quite a few people who are very involved in this event and it is a huge undertaking that attracts on average 30,000 visitors. A great boost for the local economy as well!
I went the first two days when most everything was being set up and getting started as I had to work the rest of the holiday but I met some great people and mules, like Sweet Melissa in the above picture. Now I am not sure but I think Sweetie was actually a ham in mule clothing because when I asked her if I could take her picture she struck a pose!
There were great vendors selling everything from saddlery to western furniture, kettle corn to corn dogs, and wonderful artists like Marye Roeser a long time Sierra Nevada local who is a wonderful water color painter capturing scenes of the Sierra mountains and lakes and of packers and mules. She and her husband Lou owned and operated a pack station for many years. There is also a Mule Museum in the works.
It was a completely different side of Bishop that I have never seen and a big part of the local history and color. A great time in my own backyard!
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