Reardan Mule Days coming soon

Have you ever swum in Sewer Lake? Ya, me neither. But I've always heard of the most talked about event that the Reardan Mule Days Association has ever put on, and that has to be the homemade Raft Races on Sewer Lake in the 70's. The event, which is the first weekend of June every year, is epic and legendary around here.

Every year as Mule Days gets closer, you still hear locals talk about it.

Sewer Lake was also the site of Snowmobile Races during Mule Days, which is always held the first weekend in June. Of course, as you are now figuring out, the lake was not frozen in June. I for one, would love to see those videos, which are probably on 9mm film. I wonder how far they made it, before the snowmobile sank?

Another event that is much talked about was the carnival swing rides and the torpedo ride during Mule Days, that ran clear into the 90's. The inspection of those rides was expensive, and at some point, the rides went to the Lincoln County Fair.

As a farming community, I guess we like to play in the dirt, because years ago we had dirt bike races across the street from the Red Rooster, Meadow Muffin Softball and a Mule and Horse Play Day at the old arena in town. Old fashion events such as sack races, bed races, and kiddie carnival games in the park, where you would win prizes, were also on the schedule. A little secrete; the kids always got a prize for playing.

The Parade usually had Jerry & Mary Guhlke, with their nice buggy being pulled by two Mules, carrying our Grand Marshal. This year our Grand Marshals will be Kalae Chock,and Sam Adams, of the Wake Up Anchors from Non-Stop local KHQ News. This year our Grand Marshals will be in a convertible, because I'm told "Rosie" of the mule team is just getting too old to be in the Parade. Sadly, I know the feeling.

Past events have been a Fun Run, Quilt Show, Dunk Tank, Tractor Show, the Inland Empire Steam & Gas Buff's, All High School Class Reunions and my personal favorite, homemade ice cream from Dan Plaster. One year we even had an Air Force flyover. (That one took me 4 months to organize.) Another favorite was a petting zoo that had these ridiculously friendly chickens that insisted on being held, and cute hedgehogs that like to burry themselves in the bedding.

In years past, Mule Days has had events all weekend long, including a Melodrama play, a Casino Night, Over Night Royalty Slumber party, and a Mule and Horse Poker ride, all on Friday night. On Sunday we used to have a Mule and Horse play day.

Last year for the first time, we had a Corn Hole tournament, which was well attended. This year we'll have a Rec and Elite division, because apparently, the dads get serious in this event. Who knew? We'll have cash prizes, so come and try your hand at a popular growing sport.

Mule Days has helped with large projects, such as re-building the old clinic into the current library. The garage that was added on to the Community Hall, was mostly paid for by a local lady, and Mule Days helped pay for the rest of it. We organized to get it built.

Mule Days also built a horse and mule arena east of town on the old Highway. During the 40's the Lions Club torn down the old building in the park and built a new one. Mule Days helped with that project too.

Our current project is two new "Welcome to Reardan" signs that have been in place since the 60's. We are excited to announce the signs will be put up soon, hopefully before Mule Days, and they are a fantastic design that I think the community will love. I have already heard that some people are sad to see them go (my family), but maybe we can do something special with the old signs.

What will we think of next? What new events will we come up with? Only time will tell. But what I can tell you, is that it takes volunteers. We are only limited by what our 200 plus volunteers can do. I know the Association would love to have new events. We just need volunteers to plan them.

That's what Mule Days is all about. Sure, we are improving our community one project at a time, but we are really thrilled and blessed to have our friends and neighbors come out and share some laughs together and make more memories. That is what is so great about small towns.

I love being part of a healthy, and amazing, tightknit community. We don't get together and raise barns anymore, but Reardan is the kind of place that if you need help, your friends and neighbors will chip in.

If you have memories of Mule Days, or old pictures to share, please email or write me. We hope to see you at Mule Days!

- Leanne Merkel is the chair of the Reardan Mule Days Parade and a Reardan town councilwoman. She can be reached at lmerkel@centurytel.net.