By Karah Wilson

IDER, Ala—Ider hosted it’s 29th annual Mule Day this past Monday as a part of it’s Labor Day holiday. Mule Day is an event that shows Sand Mountain’s agricultural heritage. It consists of a parade including horses and mules. There is also a car show, live music, food, booths, and children’s activities. Even though the event is held in Ider, people from all over DeKalb County, and even farther, come and celebrate the day.

Vendors also come from all over. Karen Duke is the owner of Heartstrings and Stitches. Duke’s booth consisted of handcrafted dolls she sewed herself. Her ideas come from websites such as Etsy and Pinterest. “This is my second Mule Day, but I have been making these dolls since 2009,” Duke said. On display were also some of her paintings. “I painted in high school but I’ve really been doing it for a couple of years.” Duke attends most of the events in the fall such as Mule Day.

Some vendors are even right out of Ider. Sisters Homemade Crafts is a project made from Debbie Evans and Dianne Hoffmann. Evans is the owner of the business and taught Hoffmann how to make the crafts. Evans has been making these crafts for four years but Mule Days was the first event for the women. The crafts included cross-stitch crafts and more. “I convinced her to showcase the work,” Hoffmann said about Evans. “We will definitely come back next year. So far it’s been good!”

The Ider chapter of the Alabama Homemakers also had a booth set up. The Alabama Homemakers have been in existence since 1926. The Homemakers have one fundraiser a year. The members sew a quilt together and auction it off at an event. All the proceeds go to those who need it, such as the Boy Scout’s, Ider band, and the drug store. Another thing the Homemakers do is create something called “boo boo babies” which are dolls made of socks which are given to the health clinic for children who have to get shots. “Those are really a hit,” President Jean Hensley said. “The Homemakers have been a part of Mule Day for at least twenty years,” Hensley said.

Mule Day saw one of its largest crowds this year. If you wish to be a part of the vendors next year, contact Ider Town Hall at (256) 657-4184 and don’t forget to be a part of the crowd next Labor Day.