Frog Jumping Contest

SATURDAY JULY 2ND | REGISTRATION 3:30 P.M. | CONTEST 4:30 P.M. | Tanyard Gardens Vendor Area - North Main Street

In 1865, Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) penned his first popular short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, a tall tale of Jim Smiley and his winning jumping frog – Daniel Webster.  One day, Jim (who would do anything to make a bet) struck a bet with a stranger who didn’t even have a frog to jump!  Jim went to the swamp and captured a frog for Daniel Webster to jump against.  While Jim was gone the stranger poured buckshot into Daniel’s mouth.  When the contest started poor ole Daniel Webster was unable to jump.  The stranger won, of course, and left the little gold rush town of Angels Camp, California, with his winnings of $40 in gold.  When Jim picked up Daniel and discovered what the stranger had done he was ”madder than a wet hen”!   This famous story has led to one of National Tom Sawyer Days’ most popular events – The Frog Jumping Contest.  Sponsored by the Centennial Circle of Kings Daughters, each year over 300 frogs are jumped during this contest.  Each participant is allowed to jump one frog.  The frog can be one that the participant has captured for the contest or rented from the Boy Scouts for a $2.00 donation.  (After the event the frogs are returned to their natural habitat.)  After three jumps the measurement is taken.  Prizes are awarded to the top three winners in each of the age categories – ages 5 and under and 6 years and older. 

The Frog Jumping Contest is scheduled for Saturday, July 2nd, RAIN OR SHINE.  Registration is 3:30 p.m. and the jump starts at 4:30 p.m.   The sooner you register, the sooner you jump!

Participants can register the day of the event or pre-registration is available through the Chamber of Commerce, at POB 230, 623 Broadway, Hannibal, MO  63401. 

Send $3.00 along with the following information: 

Child’s name and age

Parents’ name

Address

Telephone number