>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

MULE POWER: Mules get dressed up for a day on the town (Tim Peters photos / Unique Northwest Imaging).

ENTERPRISE

The 26th annual Hells Canyon Mule Days will celebrate mules and mule skinners on the weekend after Labor Day, Sept. 8-10.

From its humble beginnings in 1981, the event has progressed steadily. Since 2002, it has been the fastest growing mule show in the Northwest.

This annual event draws mule and donkey owners and spectators intrigued by this long-eared equine from all over the Northwest.

The first Hells Canyon Mule Days was held in the fall of 1981 as the result of a meeting between local ranchers, packers and guides, representatives of the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce and the Forest Service to explore the idea of putting together a new county event.

Wallowa County was rich in the history of the inhospitable terrain of Hells Canyon. That area owes most of its early settlement and development to the mule, who predominantly served as a major means of transportation during early times. As a result of this meeting, the mule, tough, intelligent, sure-footed, and often misunderstood, but a mainstay of the many outfitters working in Wallowa County, was elevated to center stage for the first Hells Canyon Mule Days celebration.

This year's mule show events include classes for every age group and skill level. The gates open at noon Sept. 8, with events in the arena starting at 1 p.m. Highlights of the weekend events include the fourth annual Classic Jump Off Challenge, pole bending, barrel racing, mule and donkey races, and the fast ass express.

Other events not to be missed during the three-day show are the packers scramble, wild cow milking, flapjack race, drive and ride, and mystery races.

New this year to the Saturday show will be kids' stick mule races and a boot scramble. These two new events are for kids who are spectators. The winners will be awarded Hells Canyon Mule Days T-shirts and caps.

Visitors can enjoy strolling the green and visiting with vendors, exhibitors and western artists. Tennessee mule artist Bonnie Shields from Sandpoint, Idaho, who designed this year's 26th annual mule days belt buckle and last year's logo, is a longstanding member of the Cowboy Cartoonists Association. Her mule art can be viewed at the show.

Old World Oxen Living History Co. will also set up camp with gentle 6-foot oxen, freighter's wagon and artifacts. Bullwhackin' Kass a.k.a. Sheryl Curtis, takes school kids 150 years back in time with hands on experiences from the pages of an 1853 journal.

The fourth annual Hells Canyon Mule Days Quilt Show will be held in the Cloverleaf Hall on the Wallowa County fairgrounds. More than 100 quilts will be displayed. Ten vendors will represent quilt shops throughout the region and will be selling quilting related items. This year's raffle quilt tickets may be purchased for $1 each or 6 for $5 at the Country Quilter on Main Street, Enterprise, or at the quilt show.

The Max Walker Memorial Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Entertainment Event will be on Friday evening in the show barn. Enjoy cowboy yarns and good ol' country music.

Saturday events include the non-motorized parade with Grand Marshal Bob Casey leading the procession of riders, teams, pack-strings, local horse clubs and past grand marshals.

The Jim Probert Pit Barbecue Dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday always has a sell-out crowd. Be sure to come early and enjoy live western music.

The Mule and Horse Sale, managed by Intermountain Livestock, Inc., will start at 6 p.m. Saturday. For information call 800-824-5298. This is a great fun event to attend even if you are not in the market for selling or buying a critter.

Daily show admission is $8, $6 for seniors 60 and older, and free for kids 12 and younger. The $8 admission souvenir button will get you into the show each day, so buy it on Friday and get in for free on Saturday and Sunday. For more information call Sondra Lozier, 888-323-3271 or 541-263-0140.