The Callaway Cup Derby at the Fulton Street Fair was full of flair, philanthropy and fun trash talk.
A crowd came to watch three local heavyweights battle it out. Moser's, Ovid Bell Press and The Callaway Bank competed in the event.
"The competition is major, with lots of trash-talking leading up to the event," Debbie LaRue, of The Callaway Bank, said.
The homemade "mules" all carried their own style and personality. The defending champion mule competing for Moser's Foods, also known as Jack, was even rumored to get his competitive edge from spending winters in Florida for "the alfalfa."
"The first year or two (the Street Fair) wouldn't let me enter because they knew they'd take a butt whoopin,'" Roger Moser, owner of Moser's Foods, joked.
The "mules" - actually wheeled contraptions - raced down two lanes set up on Court Street. First came a tournament open to the community, followed by the charity portion of the race.
Each entrant into the charity race pledged a deposit of $1,000, with the two losers ponying up another $1,000 each. All of the proceeds were donated to SERVE, Inc., a local nonprofit that serves the "human needs" of those in Callaway County with a food pantry, transportation, utility assistance and more.
"I honestly expected there to be real mules in the race," said Jeff Maclin Jr., outreach coordinator for SERVE, Inc. "I was impressed with the community engagement in the event."
Moser's Foods ultimately took home the trophy after defeating Ovid Bell Press and The Callaway Bank in the final competition.
Through all the taunts and jeers that took place leading up to and during the competition, the participants in the race knew the real winners were the people of Callaway County. A total of $5,000 went to SERVE, Inc. at the end of the event.
"I could care less about winning or losing, it's all for the community at the end of the day," Moser said.