ANGELS CAMP, Calif. (AP) – A quarrel between the organizers of the Calaveras County Fair and its annual Jumping Frog Jubilee has led to plans for dueling frog-hopping contests this year.
Citing losses due to low turnout at last year’s fair, organizers said they couldn’t pay the Angels Camp Boosters Club to oversee this year’s frog jumping contest. The club has judged the jubilee since its inception in 1928.
Organizers invited boosters to judge this year’s contest without pay, but the club decided to organize its own jumping frog contest that could compete with the fair’s, said club member Bill Proctor.
The annual event, held from May 16-20 this year, is inspired by “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” Mark Twain’s tale of a frog-jumping contest that is weighted in one gambler’s favor when he secretly fills his opponent’s frog with buckshot.
Thousands attend the five-day fair each year, which culminates in the competition featuring frogs from across the country. Winning frog owners get a $750 prize or $5,000 if their frog breaks the 1986 record of 21 feet, 5 3/4 inches set by Rosie the Ribeter.
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On the Net:
Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee: http://www.frogtown.org/jubilee-home.shtml
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