Benson Mule Days: A Johnston County Tradition Worth Knowing About

If you live in or near Johnston County, you've probably heard people mention Mule Days like it's a given everyone already knows what it is. If you're new to the area, here's the rundown on one of the region's biggest annual events.

What It Is

Benson Mule Days is an annual festival held in downtown Benson, on the fourth weekend of September. It started in 1949, founded by Nowell Smith Jr. with help from local livestock dealer Willis McLamb and a group of Benson merchants, as a way to honor farmers and the mule — once the essential draft animal of Southern farming. The very first celebration featured more than 300 mules, with every parade float pulled by one.

The festival has grown a lot since then. In 2026, it celebrates its 77th year, running September 24–27. Estimates on attendance vary by source — some put it at 20,000 to 30,000 over the four days, others cite figures as high as 60,000 — but either way, it's one of the largest festivals in the state, and it temporarily turns Benson (a town of under 4,000 people) into a very different place for a long weekend.

What to Expect

The festival runs Thursday through Sunday, with a distinct rhythm to each day:

• Thursday kicks things off with downtown vendors, a trolley, and a concert at the historic Benson Singing Grove.
• Friday puts the mules front and center at Chamber Park and Arena — mule pulls, races, jumping contests, and the crowd-favorite "Mules Got Talent," leading up to the selection of a Grand Champion mule. Friday night also features a professional rodeo.
• Saturday is parade day — one of North Carolina's largest parades, marching down Main Street with hundreds of mules, horses, antique tractors, classic cars, and marching bands. Another rodeo runs Saturday night.
• Throughout the weekend, you'll also find arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, street dances, bluegrass shows, and camping for visitors coming in from out of town.

Why It Matters Locally

Mule Days isn't just a festival — it's a piece of Johnston County's agricultural identity, still going strong more than 75 years later. It draws visitors from well outside the area, and for a lot of longtime residents, it's as much a marker of the calendar as any holiday.

If you're relocating to the area, it's a good one to know about — both because it's genuinely fun, and because it says something about the kind of community you're moving into.

Event Details

• Dates: September 24–27, 2026
• Location: Downtown Benson, North Carolina
• Main Parade: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM

Thinking about calling Johnston County home? Let's talk about what makes this community special — festivals included.