For four days, the mule days festival brought crowds into Benson for a celebration rooted in the town’s agricultural traditions.

Pleasant weather helped fill downtown streets and festival grounds during the 77th annual event, held Sept. 24 through 27.

The Saturday morning mule days parade drew spectators to Main Street, where families watched a variety of entries pass through town.

Visitors came from across Johnston County and surrounding communities, giving Benson’s signature weekend a lively, unmistakably local feel.

Beyond the parade, mule competitions kept the festival’s namesake animals at the center of the celebration.

Rodeo events, carnival rides, live music and vendors offered plenty to do for visitors who stayed beyond Saturday morning.

Activity spread across downtown, Chamber Park, the Benson Singing Grove and other locations throughout the four-day gathering.

That mix matters: Mule Days is more than a crowded calendar of attractions for a town proud of its heritage.

It is a chance for neighbors to meet up, welcome visitors and show younger generations why this tradition endures.

Large crowds can bring concerns about safety, but police reported relatively few problems during the festival.

Benson Police Chief Greg Percy described the weekend as largely uneventful for officers despite the number of people attending.

He also expressed appreciation for the respectful behavior of festivalgoers and the personnel who helped keep events running safely.

Officers, assisting agencies and telecommunicators all played a part in managing a weekend that drew people across town.

That calm outcome stands out when so many activities are taking place at different locations over several days.

For local families, the weekend offered both familiar traditions and a reason to spend time together in Benson.

For visitors, the parade and mule competitions provided a look at a celebration closely tied to the community’s identity.

No official attendance estimate was available, so the size of this year’s crowd has not been confirmed.

Still, the busy streets and steady activity showed why Mule Days remains one of Benson’s biggest annual gatherings.