The Mule Day Pageant will be held on Saturday, March 9th, 2013 at 7PM at Columbia State Community College in the Cherry Theater. We will crown a Queen and her court consisting of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th runners up. Contestants must be 15 – 21 years of age, a resident or
student in Maury County. Cash awards will be given to the Queen and her court.

The Queen and her court make appearances at all Mule Day events, interviewed by local radio stations, newspapers, a trip to the State Capitol in Nashville, Nashville television stations, and other functions to promote our Mule Day event.

Sharon Puckett, Nashville TV personality will again be the M.C. for the pageant. Contact the Mule Day office for an application or for more details.

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FAREWELL

Mule Day for me began as soon as I came into this world. As a little girl, my family and I would always camp out at the park, ride in the  parade and I would get to show my own mule Mable in the Riding Mule Show. As I got a little older, I continued to participate in the  shows on my mule Doc, and never would I miss riding in the parade! I only missed one Mule Day Parade and that year it rained, so my  father said it wouldn’t be safe to ride the mule and horses on the wet pavement. I remember accepting that fact after a lot of crying and  begging. You would have thought the world was coming to an end when I wasn’t able to be in the parade because Mule Day meant and  still means more to me than Christmas. Like Santa leaving presents on Christmas Eve, riding in the parade was the highlight of Mule  Day to me because I got to wear western clothes and show off my mule Doc down the main streets of Columbia with eager people ready  to see what that year’s parade had in store. Mule Day was my life. Looking back on all the amazing memories made and my childhood  years spent at Mule Day, I remember when I was four asking my mother one important question that would forever change my life,  who I was and who I wanted to be one day. “Who is that girl with that crown on her head?” are the words I asked as I curiously gawked  at this pretty girl. She then replied, “She is the Mule Day Queen.” That’s simply all she had to say. I told her I wanted to that girl when I got older, so I then began doing pageants in hopes of achieving my dream one day.

Eleven years and many pageants later, I was  finally old enough, and it was time to enter the 2011 Miss Mule Day. It being my very first year to be able to be in it, I went in with a mindset thinking this will be a big learning experience this time. I was called to be in the top 10 that night, and I decided whatever happened after that would be just fine with me because it was my first year. I was then called as fourth runner up and I’m pretty sure I cried more than the beautiful Miss Tiffany Smith who was crowned Mule Day Queen that night  because I was so happy and shocked. After becoming a part of the Mule Day Queen’s court, I learned that this pageant wasn’t just  another beauty pageant. It was about finding a beautiful, down to earth, intelligent young lady who could reach out to people of all  aspects of life and represent Maury County well. And after spending a great whole year promoting Mule Day with Miss Tiffany, Hannah,  Brittany, Papa Dave, Lisa and the Mule Day Committee, I was determined to be “that lady” one day.

It was time to start preparing for the 2012 Mule Day Pageant. I was prepared to give it my best shot, but with all of the gorgeous ladies  who wanted to be Mule Day Queen just as bad as I did, the gorgeous dresses and the very best speeches, it was bound to be anyone’s  game.

Everyone brought their A game in their personal introduction, individual competition and onstage question. Backstage, we were all a nervous wreck. I remember asking if anyone wanted to pray, and the girls back there thought it’d be a good idea. We then gathered in a  circle, held hands and we prayed for God’s support. It was the moment we all had been waiting for. It was time to crown the 2012 Miss  Mule Day Queen and her court. They called all the runners up and then I remember thinking “Well this is it Tanna. You didn’t place. Either something really good is about to happen or (what I believed) really bad is about to happen you.” On February 25th, 2012 they  called contestant number 8, Tanna Norman as the 2012 Miss Mule Day Queen. I could hardly believe that was me. I had won. I had  never been so happy in my whole entire life. My dream had come true, and I cried and cried so many happy tears that night. I truly  believe the best things happen in life when you’re least expecting them.

The week of Mule Day was truly one of the best and most unforgettable weeks of my life. To begin the week, I spoke at the State Capital  in front of the House of Representatives after being introduced by Shelia Butts our local Representatie and then to the State Senate Chambers by State Senator Bill Ketron. Tuesday and Wednesday I rode on my mule Festus with the Wagon Train, and we rode all the  way into Columbia Wednesday evening. My court and I walked around the fairgrounds, stuffed our faces with some of the best food  around, told a lie or two in the Liars Contest, danced at the 4-H Center and took many pictures with people from all across the United  States the remainder of the week. On Saturday, it come a rough storm, but luckily we were fortunate enough for God to have held the rain out for the parade. On Sunday things were winding down, but not for me and Festus. We participated in the Riding Mule Show and  had an absolute ball. I couldn’t have imagined my week without my court Kaitlyn, Hannah, Brittany and Taylor. We made some of the  best memories that will last a life time.

All my life, I had dreamed of holding this title. Sitting here typing this now, it’s still hard to believe that I will forever be a part of Mule  Day history. This past year was the best year of my life all because I won one beauty pageant. It wasn’t your average beauty pageant  though and that’s what makes it so special. It was a dream come true. I couldn’t have imagined a better year. God truly blessed me for  having the chance to hold this title.

Your 2012 Mule Day Queen,
Tanna Norman