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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Opportunities to experience elements of farm life and learn about how mules are used are coming to the Central Alabama Horse Club.

The Club will host its first Mule and Farm Day on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at 1010 County Road 453 in Clanton.

“We were just looking for something to share … for people who are interested in this in the county and just looking for something for people to do,” club member Tina Thomas said.

She said the club focused on making it a time of fun for the whole family.

Demonstrations will include the Sweet Home Vaulters doing vaulting tricks on horses, ground driving highlighting how mules work on a farm, show pigs and wagon driving.

Exhibits will include farm tractors and other equipment.

“It’s good clean fun, learning more about farming and how mules have been used on the farm … They are going to be showing breaking ground with a mule and a hand plow,” Thomas said.

A variety of activities for children will also be available including pony rides, a big slide, wagon rides, petting zoo, train rides, farm toy exhibits, hay rides and a cake walk.

Vendors will be selling crafts, antiques and apparel, and the concession stand will be open.

Admission is free with a $5 fee for parking.

“We have horse shows all the time, but this is actually our first time to do something that is geared more to the farm,” Thomas said.

Live entertainment will be provided by Digger Dan.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Dogs must be held on a leash. No alcoholic beverages allowed.

“We are very excited about it,” Thomas said. “We have had a lot of interest in it.”

Anyone who would like to participate by bringing their mule, antique tractor or crafts can call Thomas at 334-657-9496 for more information.

Leading up to the event Oct. 2-4 local horse and mule wagon owners will travel on wagon train rides around town.

Co-coordinator Edwin Petty said the riders will complete an 18 to 20-mile loop beginning and ending at the Central Alabama Horse Club each day.

Routes will include a day going north parallel to Highway 145, a day riding east of Highway 145 and the third day will travel County Road 43.

Petty said he has found more people are interested in being a part of wagon train rides than he would have thought.

“(It’s) kind of a step back in time,” Petty said.

Participation is free, but signing a release is required.

Wagon train riders will need to bring their own lunch and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

For more information about the wagon train ride, contact Petty at 205-389-0236.