DENTON, NC – Sometime long ago, there were two guys whose job was to keep the Handy Dandy on the tracks and the steam engine purring. The passenger train ran through the woods and ‘round the bend. One day, gun-slinging hoodlums sneaked on board to steal the cashbox. The two devoted employees never knew what hit them – it was their final ride.
Their spirits return each fall during Horse and Mule Days at the Denton FarmPark in Denton – and so do the bad guys, Sagebrush, Sixguns and Rawhide. Be fearful. You never know who will be next to go.
Horse and Mule Days will be held on Friday night, October 24 and all day Saturday, October 25. The FarmPark is the location of the annual Southeast Old Threshers’ Reunion held each summer.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. on. Friday and Saturday night for the “Ghost Gunfighter Show on #9.” Guns will be loaded shows beginning at 6:45 each night. Food concessions, the grist mill and the general store will be open. Show reservations are available by calling the FarmPark at 336-859-2755.
Then on Saturday, bluegrass music and clogging, arts and crafts, equine events and heritage demonstrations will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. But you better watch your back at noon. There may be some gun shots fired in front of the general store. Event organizers have gotten wind that trouble’s brewing downtown.
Thrill-seekers can witness the railroad gangsters’ brutal antics at 10:30 a.m. and on the hour from 1-4 p.m.
On the other side of the farm, the North Carolina Draft Horse Association and Carolina Mule Association (CMA) will be giving demonstrations throughout the day. Persons wanting to bring their own horses and mules can participate in the Mule and Draft Horse Show beginning at 10 a.m. CMA-sanctioned classes will also be offered in halter, performance, driving, log-skidding, gaming and more. For information, call Karen Reeder at 910-639-0701.
The ever-so-popular coon jump competition will be held at 3 p.m. No, you won’t see raccoons. Crowds are amazed at how high mules can jump from standing dead still. “For people who don’t know what the coon jump is,” says Reeder, “it’s like doing the limbo, only you’re jumping up over instead of under the poles.”
James Lamm’s trick mules will be giving performances throughout the day, too.
The Kickin’ Grass Band will take the stage at 2 and 5 p.m. A clogging show will be held from 11 a.m.-noon.
Sponsors are Bill Plemmons RV, James River Equipment dealerships in Asheboro and Salisbury.
On Friday, admission to the train ride is $8 per adult and free for children under 12 years of age. There is no general admission fee.
On Saturday, tickets to the FarmPark are $7 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under and free for preschoolers. Saturday train rides are $5 per person; show rides are $6 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and preschoolers are free.
The Denton FarmPark has more than 500 camping sites that will be available from Monday, October 20-Monday, October 27. Those with hook-ups are $25 per night.
The FarmPark is located 17 miles south of Asheboro off NC Hwy. 49 and 20 miles south of Lexington off NC Hwy. 109. Follow signs.
For more information or to reserve a seat on the Friday night train, call 336-859-2755.
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