After 20 years of pulling an 18-ton tourist barge, Frances the “bicentennial mule” is retiring. She was born in 1976, and has been working along the C&O in Georgetown.
We here at DCist didn’t know the Kidspost was a place for serious news, but apparently Frances the mule was going to be a surprise for former President Carter on his 80th birthday Oct. 1, however the “news broke” that she would be retiring to his farm after leaving the C&O Canal.
Apparently the story was broken by the ever-vigilent “town topics” section of the Georgetowner, which announced the details of her retirement party this week:
Readers are invited to join Frances for carrot cake, childrens activities, and games including a mule shoe toss and pin the tail on the mule. The event is free. Noon to 2 p.m. at the C&O Canal Visitor Center, 1057 Thomas Jefferson St., N.W. Call (202) 653-5190.
To quote a loyal DCist reader: we support you, Frances!
