By The Dunn Daily Record
BENSON – The small town of Benson, with a population of about 4,000, will swell to approximately 20,000 Sept. 22-25, 2022 when the 73rd annual Benson Mule Days celebration, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the ‘Benson area.
A blanket of excitement covers the area as visitors flock to the city area and outlying regions bringing horses, mules, wagons, campers and unusual equine contraptions to settle in for a four-day break. Wednesday and Thursday campers are settling in as they prepare to attend the concert to be held Thursday night at 6 at the Benson Singing Grove on Main Street.
This year’s band is Nashville artist John Conlee. There is no charge for general admission to the seats. If you would like a seat near the stage with a chair provided, the cost is $20 per person.
Benson Mule Days 2021. Dunn Daily Record Photo
On Fridays, visitors can take part in many events, such as the “Mule Races” held in the Chamber and Arena Park. They will see, a mule race, Best of Show and many other events.
New this year is “Mules Got Talent.” From these competitors, the “Grand Champion” is chosen who will be on Saturday at the Benson Mule Days parade.
Downtown will be full of vendors and entertainment on the Parrish Drive stage.
Want to see a real mule stable? Check out Benson’s latest mule stable during Friday and Saturday hours from 9:00am to 5:00pm. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage tour of Benson.
File photo 2018 Benson Mule Days. Dunn’s daily log photo
Double Creek Pro Rodeo will once again present an SRA sponsored rodeo on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon there will be a Junior Rodeo presented by the Benson Buckaroos Association. Rodeos on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. There will be pony rides for the cowboys and cowgirls.
After the rodeo on Friday and Saturday, you can shake a leg at the Mule Day Dance. Friday night’s band is Eric Strickland and Saturday’s band is Jonathan Parker. If you attend the rodeo there is no entry fee. You can just come to the dance for a $5 charge. Drinks may be purchased.
Saturday is a big day at Benson Mule Days as thousands of spectators vie for a place to sit or stand to watch one of North Carolina’s largest parades. Bands, floats, Shriner drives, classic cars, antique tractors, unique entries, beauty queens and hundreds of horses, mules, buggies, wagons and more roll down Benson’s Main Street starting at 10am.
After the parade, visitors can head to Singing Grove Park, where a Classic Country Concert featuring Moe Bandy is presented, and check out the arts and crafts and commercial vendors.
Want to ride a roping bull? A mechanic will stand in the row of sellers.
For more information, you can call 919-894-3825 or email office@bensonmuledays.com. Need camp or vendor information? You can contact the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce at the same numbers. Details are available at www.bensonmuledays.com.
FESTIVAL DATES
September 9-10 – Crepe Myrtle Celebration, Depot Square, downtown Angie. Kick-off concert and food trucks from 7 to 10 p.m. September 9. Main day of festivities, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 10, with live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, kids’ rides and games, and more. Contact the Anger Chamber of Commerce at 919-639-2500.
September 10 — Four Oaks Acorn Festival, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., downtown. Classic car and antique tractor show, food trucks, business expo, craft market, Kid Zone, inflatables, face painting, train rides and more. Entry is free. Unlimited travel wristbands are $10. Live music, including Real Rowdy, on the Barbour’s Grove Oak Pavilion stage. For more information, contact the Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce at 919-963-4004.
September 22-25 – Celebration of the Benson Mule Days.
September 23-24 – Lillington’s Cape Fear Fest. Friday Fest will feature a night full of live music by the Carolina Moondogs along with food and beverage vendors. The entertainment will take place from 7-10pm on September 23rd at Lillington Riverfront Park, 235 E. Duncan St. The 2022 event will take place on Saturday, September 24th from 10am to 3pm at the intersection of First and Front streets. . It will include bounce houses for the kids, various craft and merchandise vendors, food and refreshments. For more information, contact the Lillington Chamber of Commerce at contact@lillingtonchamber.org or 910-893-3751.
September 24 — Erwin Denim Days Gospel Concert with The Hoppers, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Triton High School, 215 Maynard Lake Road, Erwin. Free.
October 1 — Erwin Denim Days, 2 to 8 p.m., 100 N. 13th St., downtown Erwin, featuring a golf cart parade, car show, vendors, children’s games, food vendors, music and more . For more information, contact the Erwin Area Chamber of Commerce at contact@erwinchamber.org or 910-897-7300.
October 7-8 – Coats Farmers Day Festival, downtown, one-day event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, with vendors, crafts, food, parade, playground carnival, car show, car show farm equipment and more. A Farmer’s Day Festival Street Dance on Main Street with Jim Quick and Coastline will take place on Friday, October 7th from 7pm to 10pm. Other activities include a Sept. 16 pig cook-off and Sept. 17 barbecue sale; a Golf Tournament on September 22; and gospel sing on October 2. For more information, contact the Coats Area Chamber of Commerce at 910-897-6213.
November 5 — 22nd annual NC Cotton Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Dunn. Two concert stages with North Tower Band, The Castaways, Gaylon Pope and Sweetwater and Fatmouth. More than 150 artisans, commercial and food vendors are expected. There will be a Kiddie Land area, guided tours of Cotton Gin and the Dunn Shriner’s Car Show. For more information, visit or call 910-892-3282.
