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Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee
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When:
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14 - 18 May 2008 (annual)
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Where:
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Calaveras County Fairgrounds
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Various
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The Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee welcomes thousands of frog jockeys and their frogs, who aim to become the greatest of all international frog jumpers (not to mention US$5000 richer).
When struggling California journalist Mark Twain first published the short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, he could hardly have imagined that it would prove to be the inspiration for a genuine event.
The Frog Jump is open to all ages and nationalities and the rules are fairly simple. All frogs must be at least four inches in length from nose to tail. Each frog is dropped onto an eight-inch launch pad, and once a frog makes the first jump from that pad it is illegal for the jockey to touch the frog again. They must find other ways to convince the frog to take the largest possible three hops forward. Obviously, any evidence of drugging a frog, or jumping the same frog twice, results in immediate disqualification and forfeit of prizes. Frog jumping is a serious sport, you know.
Not all of the contestants are green and slimy - the event also encompasses the annual Miss Calaveras contest. There are also all kinds of agricultural contests and events, from breeding competitions to calf branding, as well as art displays, trade stalls, a fireworks display, children's games and storytelling sessions.
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