On the overcast afternoon of August 15, 2024, twenty-two hardy frogs and their trainers leapt at the chance to take part in the annual Frog and Toad Jumping Contest held at the Blueberry Festival in the Town Park. The popular contest drew a big crowd who cheered and applauded each frog’s performance. This year featured a new addition: Dr. David Boyd, our “official” veterinarian, oversaw the contest to ensure that rules were followed and all frogs were well-cared-for. Fortunately, he was present to make the call to give a “time out” to a frog who accidentally jumped into a sneaker and needed a rest.

Audience and participants gather around the jumping arena “Winner” Fred Dubay

The rules are:

1.     Once you place your frog down on the ground you cannot touch them.  You can blow on them, sprinkle water, or slap the ground near them.

2.     The contestants are judged on the best of three jumps. There are also awards in a variety of categories.

3.     Most importantly, you must return your amphibian to the exact location you found them; that’s their habitat, and they need it to survive happily.

Everyone gets a prize. Fred Dubay

Winners were as follows:

In the Large category (4 inches and up): First Prize and Best Overall went to Sylvia Reiland, age 6, and her frog Jumpy, whose whopping 41¾-inch jump nearly beat out the reigning 2005 champion. Second Prize went to Titan Welch’s frog Titan Jr., with not one, but two 28½-inch jumps. There was a tie for Third Place at 24½ inches: Collin (age 3), Will (age 8), and Jack (age 6) Murphy’s frog Fred tied with 3-year-old Gage Olson’s frog Prince.

In the Medium category (2 inches to under 4”) Caitlin Sullivan, age 2, and her entrant My Frog won First Prize for a 29¾-inch leap. Thirteen-year-old Silas Gagliano and his entrant Forest took Second Prize for a 26½-inch jump. Nate McMullin, age 8, and Flash took Third Prize at 25½ inches. Also in that category, Hazel (age 5) and Wyatt (age 3) Masterson’s frog Jumpy won a prize for Liking Long Walks on the Beach.  Ten-year-old Lilly Stevens’ frog Cedric won for being the Most Consistent with jumps measuring 10, 10, and 11½ inches. Bridger MacFawn (age 10) and his frog Jim won a prize for being the Best at Baseball. Lightning won for Best Hider after he jumped up his 5-year-old trainer Luke Hinojosa’s sleeve. Luke returned later with Zeefer, the last entrant, receiving the Just-in-Time Award.

The Small category (under 2 inches) had Christopher Wanty, age 3, and his amphibian Speedy, winning First Prize for jumping 26 inches. Caroline McMullin, age 10, and Froggy took a close Second Place for jumping 25½ inches. Third Prize for an also close jump went to Zach Lipp, age 5, and King of the Kingdom, measuring in at 25 inches. Three-year-old Paige Harris and Groggy Froggy won a prize for his PhD Degree in Bio-chemistry from Duke. The team of Aiden and Camden Kyle (ages 10 and 8) and their frog John Cena won for Best Wrestler.  Oona Elkins, age 9, and Tigger won for Being Bounciest. Adult competitor Ginger Gagliano and her frog Tinkle won the prize for being Cleverest. Harper Reynolds, age 11, and his contestant Jerry won the Hoppiest Prize. Nine-year-old Mason Reynolds’ tadpole Bob (still sporting a tail) won the prize for being the Youngest Competitor. And five-year-old Luke Hinojosa entered one more competitor, Rocket, who won for having Magic Powers.

Thank you to our local businesses for providing the prizes: Books, Lines and Thinkers, Rangeley Adventure Company, Jannace’s Back Woods, Pine Tree Frosty, Rangeley Lakes Builder Supply, and Made in Maine, as well as Leeanna Wilbur. Thanks to Brent Quimby who supplied nets and Patty Ellis who donated buckets for catching the amphibians on site. Thank you to the Boyd family: Linda, Geoffrey, David, Lillian, Caroline and Corin, who turned out in full force to register, judge and retrieve frogs, and otherwise assisted the contest. Thanks to Michael Holoszyc who had to jump as fast and far as the frogs in order to measure the leaps. Thanks also go to Fred Dubay for serving once again as official photographer.

Thank you to all the participants and to those who donated to the Blueberry Festival’s non-academic support for Rangeley Lakes Regional School. It was a day for kids and adults to unplug and for frogs (no toads this year) to show off their best leaps. When everyone jumps on the bandwagon, the Frog Jumping Contest is “bound” to be a success.

“The frog is supposed to jump — not you!” Fred Dubay

Playing with one of the “bigger frogs” Fred Dubay

Sylvia Reiland (6) using her First Overall prize — a frog umbrella, appropriate for the day. Fred Dubay