Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 05/14/2010 07:58 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 05/15/2010 07:15 AM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
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Welcome to the Country...So you’ve decided to move to the country where the county fair can be a hoppin’ good time!~by Local Author Charity Maness
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 country!
Charity Maness
Follow Charity on Facebook, Twitter, and www.charitymaness.com
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.
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