The Southern Arkansas University Magnolia Blossom Festival team, the Mulerider Steak Cookers, earned two trophies Saturday, May 19, including First Place in the Showmanship Category.

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, center, presents the First Place trophy in the Showmanship category to Jack Revell, left, and the Muleriders Steak Cookers mascot (Frank Byers), right.

Frank Byers dances with members of the SAU cheerleading squad in front of SAU’s booth Saturday at the Magnolia Blossom Festival. The performance earned First Place in the Showmanship competition.

SAU’s own Frank Byers, dressed as a Mulerider with a two-foot-tall papier-mâché head, stole the show during the parade and later during showmanship judging. He danced with members of the SAU cheerleading squad around the Mule Train, which took fourth-runner-up in the parade float category.

The SAU team built the engine of the train around a four wheeler and included a smoke stack, a bell mounted on the roof and SAU flags. The train car in tow was made to look as though it was carrying a load of lignite coal, as SAU has recently stepped forward to become a leader in lignite research for South Arkansas. Attached to the second car was the grill, which was covered in chalk graffiti.

Mulerider Steak Cooker Jack Revell proudly displays the team’s steak entry for the 18th Annual World Championshiop Steak Cookoff at the Magnolia Blossom Festival Saturday.