Hells Canyon Mule Days Parade
SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 LINE-UP – North side of track at fairgrounds at 10:45 am
HCMD Parade Route:
The HCMD parade will line up on the North side of the fairground’s track and parking lot starting at 10:00 am. The parade will move south on First Street and turn east on Park Street and then turn south on NE Second Street to Main Street. The parade will proceed five blocks west on Main Street and turn north on NW Second Stree and return to the Fairgrounds. The HCMD Grand Entry is scheduled for 1:00 pm and all parade entries are invited to participate in the grand entry.
Grand Marshals: Jim & Holly Akenson
Jim & Holly Akenson and Mules over the Decades Intensive mule-use for the Akenson’s began in 1982 when they moved to central Idaho’s River of No Return Wilderness. They were managers of the University of Idaho’s Taylor Ranch – a research station 35 miles from a road and 21 miles to the nearest neighbor. They quickly developed mule use skills – packing, driving, riding, pack string leading, and equine care including shoeing and in the field doctoring. They began mowing/haying with a mule team in 1984, after one haying season using hand scythes!
They have pulled a mowing machine with mules for 40 years, mostly at Taylor Ranch, but also mowing Reds Horse Ranch airfield on the Minam River – Eagle Cap Wilderness. While at Taylor Ranch they taught many students how to handle and work with mules – riding, packing, driving. Some of those students went on to be USFS wilderness rangers and packers. While living and working in Idaho they offered mule packing certification courses for Idaho Fish & Game and the USFS and have put on many packing and driving clinics.
Many of their favorite mule use stories are in a book called, “7003 Days in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness,” published in 2015. They continue to use their riding and pack mules for public service – both with Wallowa County Search & Rescue and the Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association – clearing trees and improving trails for all users. Recently, they did hands-on training for Eastern Oregon Search & Rescue members evacuating injured people using mules. They first participated in Hells Canyon Mule Days in 1991 with a parade pack string and participated in packing events. They pulled a vintage 1843 Studebaker covered wagon with mules Rocky & Top as part of a multi-day wagon train to commemorate the Grand Opening of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center outside of Baker in 1991.
They currently use their mule team Bird and Bat to pull the arena service wagon during Hells Canyon Mule Days event and in the parade. As time permits, they also do personal recreational pack trips – usually in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and associated with elk and deer hunting
For the Parade Entry Form click here.
2003 Grand Marshall Arnold Schaeffer leading the HCMD parade on Rub.
2002 Grand Marshall Merl Hawkins, wife Carol and daughter Jenny. Larry Waters driving his mules Bert & Ernie
Cathy Moffit driving her miniature horse Thunder.
Bob & Jan Casey riding Mac & Jack
"My Little Red Wagon"
Greg & Cindy Neal driving their mules Nell & Lou