Around GEORGIA By Pamela A. Keene Honoring the hard-working mule G eorgia's agricultural heritage was built on the backs of mules. Although most farm operations these days rely on tractors for the heavy work, Georgians continue to honor the culture and tradition of the old farming ways. October's Mule Day Festival in Washington-Wilkes County and November's Calvary Lions Club Mule Day Festival in Calvary celebrate the mule as the hero of farming in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Both events feature demonstrations of old-time homesteading and farming skills, such as canesyrup-grinding and blacksmithing, and are complemented by arts and crafts, music and food. The events will showcase the agility and traits that have made mules invaluable in agriculture. 34 Georgia Magazine September 2022 Top: Plowing demonstrations at the Mule Day Festival in WashingtonWilkes County attest to the mule's value in farming. Above: Mules work well in teams. They are stronger than horses and less ornery than donkeys. Left: Musicians perform on old-timey instruments like this dulcimer at the Mule Day Festival in WashingtonWilkes County. Continued on page 36 WASHINGTON-WILKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON-WILKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON-WILKES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE