The 2016 Benson Mule Days is in the history books. The 67th annual Benson Mule Days was held Thursday through Sunday in Benson, drawing between 20,000 and 25,000 people to the southern Johnston County town.
Golf carts may have outnumbered mules this year but the festival was well-attended and no serious incidents were reported. The largest crowd gathered for the parade on Main Street Saturday morning, billed. as one of the largest parades in the entire state of North Carolina.
“Everything went great,” said Loretta Byrd, President of the Benson Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the annual event. “It was well attended. Everyone was safe. There were no issues I was made aware of. No one got hurt.”
“The rodeos went well,” Byrd added.
“We were thankful for the beautiful weather and no rain especially after last year’s event.” Byrd said. Rainy weather held attendance numbers to 10,000 and 15,000 people in 2015.
Benson Police Captain Greg Percy said 409 charges were filled by officers over the 4-day festival, the majority for traffic-related offenses. A total of 28 drug charges were filed and 5 DWI arrests were made. Nineteen people were taken to jail on various offenses.
Percy said Benson Police had 13 full-time and 4 part-time officers working this year’s Mule Day’s with 70 officers from surrounding agencies, including the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, also assisting with security and patrol measures.
Chief Kenneth Edwards said there were no notable incidents or serious injuries reported, and it appears everyone who came to Benson for Mule Days had a great time.
Record crowds were reported at Friday and Saturday’s rodeos with as many as 500 people being turned away from the sold out events. A number of Donald Trump signs were also spotted throughout the crowds.
Byrd said plans are already underway for the 68th annual Benson Mule Days in 2017.
Photos by John Payne
