So you’ve decided to move to the country where the county
fair can be a hoppin’ good time!
In Calaveras County we have the honor and distinction of
hosting the Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee, a frog movement that began
on May 19 and 20, 1928, on Main Street
in down town Angels Camp.
When out of towners shake their heads at the odd name of our
fair we foothill folk are aghast that those poor souls have such a gaping hole
in their literary education that they have not heard of the famous book by Mark
Twain, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Though shocked, we
secretly feel superior in the knowledge that we have not only heard of the famous work, many of us
have actually read some of the
stories in the collection.
While some come to a fair expecting to see the usual daredevil
rides, consume every fried food known to man, partake of the local vintners
latest creations, and peruse the exhibits; the fair goer with the more
discerning taste will pack their children, cousins, in-laws in their car along
with enough food to feed an army and head to the foothills for the experience
of a lifetime… the opportunity to jump a frog!
At first glance the whole act of actually jumping a frog
looks pretty simple. Pick up a frog, thankfully supplied by the commission so
that one doesn’t have to wade through the rushes into the murky pond in hunt of
the illusive creature, and gently place the frog on a green spot on stage. The
green spot looks suspiciously like a lily pad. Maybe this has a psychological
effect on the frog. After all what frog wants to be sitting on a lily pad in
the scorching sun with hundreds of eyes staring at him? Next we boo, blow, and
shout to get said frog to jump. Luckily the official measure guys (and Gals) count
three jumps.
Ok, my turn.
Put hand in bucket. Agh! Bucket is full of squirming, slimy,
frogs. Deep breath, my children are watching, I have to be strong. Pick up frog
by its bony back. Yup, bony back. I am so glad I held off on the funnel cake
til after the jump, I am feeling queezy. Gently put frog on faux ‘lily pad’
spot. Watch frog jump one jump forward and two jumps back. Whadaya know? Just
like life! I really didn’t realize that one could get a negative jump…go
figure.
If you are one of the 25K or so that have the occasion to
visit our fine fair and frog jumping jubilee... please remember the old saying…
“When in Rome…”
Jump to your heart’s content!
Until next time…. Welcome to the countryJ
Charity Maness
Interesting foothill frog loving note: In 1995
the Board of Director’s of the 39th District Agricultural Association adopted
the “Frog Welfare Policy”. A commitment to treat frogs in a humane manner. For
more historical fair info visit http://www.frogtown.org/jubilee_history.shtml.
