The second weekend in November will be the 19th year that Richland has been holing their annual PigFest, which is as much about community as it is barbecue, but the barbecue. That’s just magic.
Pig Fest Mural, Richland
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Tag Archives: Georgia Livestock
O’Connor Horses & Mules Mural, Soperton
Bill Ricks writes: Until about two years ago the top of the sign was covered by a Firestone sign. The J. G. Webbs opened their business in the late 40s after Mr. Webb’s military service ended. He was experience in radio and electronics, and both of them were frugal and hardworking retailers. They lived in the building up until about late 50s or early 60s, and the business was open until Mr. Webb died. Beside Firestone tires, they had the local franchises for Snapper, Zenith, GE, and others. Mrs. Webb was related to the O’Connors. The original horse and mule business was operated by John Fisher and Mr. Lowrey. J. B. O’Connor was a business and political leader in Treutlen and Montgomery counties.
Swine Time Mural, Climax
Palmer’s Stable, Sale City
This was formerly known as Beasley’s Stable and owned by Brady Beasley, a mayor of Sale City and Mitchell County Commissioner.
The Mule Roundup, Guysie
James and Barbara Spires and family graciously open their beautiful farm each year to showcase those curious hybrid creations we call mules at the famous Mule Roundup in Guysie. A nice history of the festival can be found here. [There’s also a Mule Day, in Calvary, Georgia, and another in Wilkes County].
The photos in this post were made at the 16th Annual Roundup in 2010.
Hands down this is one of the best festivals in South Georgia, with mule competitions, old-fashioned cane grinding, cloggers, and gospel and country singers, as well as antique automobiles, and plenty of vendors and fun for the kids.
The best part about it is that it doesn’t feel like a festival; it feels like you were just invited over for a hoe-down on the farm.
Don’t forget to stop by the Guysie General Store and buy a souvenir of your visit. They have great t-shirts.
In case you don’t know, mules are the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse.
As a result, mules share similar colors and patterns with horses.
They also liver longer and eat less than horses, in general.
They can live up to 50 years.
Until modern tractors were commonly available, mules were preferred for plowing. They have also been in military use for over a thousand years.
And they’re actually not as stubborn as their reputation would suggest. They’re definitely smarter than donkeys.
The sign is a landmark in its own right.
UPDATE: Sadly, the Mule Roundup has ceased operation.
Turner County Stockyard, 1948, Ashburn
Built in 1948, and purchased by H. R. Wiggins in 1960, Turner County Stockyard has kept up with the times. By 2009, with sales of $30 million, they were the largest cattle stockyard in Georgia, and remain a vital part of agribusiness in the state.