Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/692970
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"What we've found during the weekend is that if the frog is calm, it's probably going to jump fairly well," Bruce says. "If the frog seems jittery or afraid – which we can't blame them for that – they might hop off in a different direction or do tiny hops and not get very far." The festival begins July 7, when people can meet at nearby Maple- wood Golf Club at 6 p.m. to catch frogs for the weekend's competition. The event has a licence to do this "because you can't just go kidnapping animals from nature," Bruce says. A lot of families attend, with adults and kids given buckets and nets to scoop up northern leopard frogs. The green athletes are then kept safe by organizers until the qualifying rounds on Saturday, when competitors peer inside bins to choose their frog. A few people even bring frogs they've caught themselves, but they have to be northern leopard frogs and 'owners' must follow catch-and- release. The event's website (www. frogfollies.com) has info on how to catch frogs and hold them safely. The four-legged competitors have to be registered, named and be as- signed a 'jockey.' (No, that's not a toy figure to ride the frog, rather the name of the participant.) Each frog can hop three times on stage. Participants with the Top 3 dis- tances in each age category are invit- ed to compete against VIPs and local business people on the Sunday, with the longest leaper crowned national champ. In 2015, the longest jump was 13 feet 11 inches (four metres). The festival began in 1970 with some special guests. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were visiting Mani- toba to celebrate its centennial and someone came up with the idea to invite them to launch the new event. The royals stopped by for 20 minutes. Since that regal opening, the festi- val has grown and amalgamated with the agricultural fair in 2009. Nowa- days, more than 2,000 people attend each day. So what's the attraction? "It's just so weird," Bruce replies. "We've had people come out from all over the country because they've heard about it somehow on the In- ternet and have decided to make the trip out for the weekend and jump a couple of frogs. "It's a terrific activity for kids, obviously. They love picking out their frogs from the bin and holding it oh so gently and then setting it off for a couple of jumps. "But I wouldn't say the kids are necessarily the ones who enjoy it the most. A lot of adults, a lot of even politicians and VIPs who are around, really get into the competition. It's a lot of fun." After the competition, the amphib- ians are released back where they were found near the golf course. Bruce says this year's festival will be even more geared toward kids and families. "That's what really brings people out," she says. "The kids love it, the parents love it. "The adults who don't have kids love it and kind of wish they were kids or had kids so they could sneak into that kids' tent, so that's our focus." Taking to the stage this year are French and English entertainers such as well-known Winnipeg escape artist Dean Gunnarson and two-time Canadian Juggling champion Robin Chestnut. There will also be a variety of musicians. A slo-pitch tournament for mixed teams and children's inflatable boun- cers will get young and old moving their muscles. The agricultural fair is again featur- ing displays in the arena of produce and crafts, which will be judged. There will also be a market to buy a variety of goods. Bruce says volunteers are needed for duties such as helping out in the kids' tent, supervising the bouncers and working in the beer gardens and at registration tables for the frog jumping competition. To volunteer, send an email to info@frogfollies.com or fill out a form on the festival's website. THINGS ARE ALWAYS HOPPING AT THE ANNUAL FROG FOLLIES & AGRICULTURAL FAIR IN ST-PIERRE-JOLYS. PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE MORIN PHOTOGRAPHY 8 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2016 S T - P I E R R E - J O L Y S THE FESTIVAL BEGINS JULY 7, WHEN PEOPLE CAN MEET AT NEARBY MAPLEWOOD GOLF CLUB AT 6 P.M. TO CATCH FROGS FOR THE WEEKEND'S COMPETITION.