Chrome in the Canyon Premier Mule Sale at Bryce Canyon Mule Days

For the last two years, Bryce Canyon Mule Days has offered a weekend full of riding, clinics, and music for mule lovers. In 2020, with the addition of the Chrome in the Canyon Premier Mule Sale, attendees will have the chance to take home their own new performance mule. 

The event, held in Bryce Canyon in Tropic, Utah, May 7-9, was started by Merilee and McLain Mecham, after noticing that though many states offer their own version of “Mule Days,” Utah was lacking in one. The daily trail rides through Bryce Canyon National Park and the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument are a highlight of the event. Although the guided rides are full for 2020, riders can still see the beauty of this area on self-guided trail rides. “This place is huge,” said Merilee. “Two of the favorite spots are Willis Creek and Thunder Mountain. You can hook up with another group when you arrive, and you can still join the Poker Rides.” 

The Chrome in the Canyon Premier Mule Sale will feature quality trail riding, pleasure, show, reining and driving mules from consignors across the United States. “There will be versatile mules of all types and all disciplines,” said sale promoter Codi Gines of MM Auction Services. “It’s about quality over quantity, and you can buy from this sale with confidence.” Sale mules will check in on Wednesday and will be on grounds for potential buyers to preview throughout the weekend. There will be on site vet checks, meet and greets, as well as a preview held in the arena. The mule sale begins at noon on Saturday. 

Those attending can either participate in arena events (including speed, fun and cattle classes) or just sit back and enjoy the show. For those looking to learn, Ty and Skye Evans, of TS Mules, will have a mulemanship clinic Monday through Wednesday, and Jeff Pace will have a packing clinic after the mule sale on Saturday afternoon. 

Bryce Canyon Mule Days also focuses on giving back. “A lot of the attendees donate items for a silent auction,” said Merilee. “The funds raised from the silent auction help local people, so they are really giving back to the area they are coming to visit.” Proceeds from the event are also donated in honor of McLain’s brother, Clint Mecham, to the Bryce Valley Cancer and Medical Scholarship Fund. Clint spent a lot of time on the back of a mule, following his hounds across southern Utah. 

For more on Bryce Canyon Mule Days, visit brycecanyonmuledays.com. To learn more about The Chrome in the Canyon Premier Mule Sale, visit premiermulesale.com, or visit facebook.com/premiermulesale/