Mule Camp Market opens in downtown Gainesville

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville’s annual autumn extravaganza, Mule Camp Market, got underway Friday morning under cloudy skies with the new Mountains Center parking deck still closed; the Jaycees say never mind, it's time for Mule Camp.

The Jaycees host the event and Director Ben Hawkins said there’s plenty of parking around the square and at Mule Camp, 'its always 72 degrees and the sun’s always shining', and he's not worried.

"The guys have worked really hard on it, and we've got 200 booth spaces this year which is up from last year," Hawkins said. "The food court's expanded this year, we've got more options for dining and patrons will be able to dine in the center of the square."
"The actual John Jarrard Sound Stage Concert starts tonight at 7:00 p.m."

Retired North Hall High School teacher and first time exhibitor Marcia Stokes creates display bottles and she’s optimistic about the weather and the visitors.

"I hope it will go well, and I hope we don't have rain," she said. "I just could not stop painting and decorating the bottles and so I just went to town."

Mule Camp continues through Sunday downtown on the Square until 5:00 p.m.