Greetings all.
As we are in the final days of getting our act together for the 8th Northern California Authors Fair on Saturday, November 10, at the Mt. Shasta Mall, I thought something light would be just what Doc ordered (and it doesn’t require much thinking on my part).
I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Angels Camp, a rustic old mining town nestled in the Gold Rush area of the Sierra Nevada Foothills on State Highway 49. I was attending an assembly at Frogtown USA Fairgrounds. If this seems oddly familiar, but you can’t quite place it, think Mark Twain and his short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”
The Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee is one of the longest running events in the State of California. Its earliest roots date back to 1893, held that year in Copperopolis; the fair eventually found a permanent home outside of Angels Camp. In the spirit of the old movie classic “State Fair,” the Calaveras County Fair is a blend of entertainment, exhibits, livestock, arena events, great food and our signature event, the Frog Jump. This piece of Americana will have you “Leaping” to return year after year.
In 1933 the California Fish and Game Commission became involved in order to regulate and protect the welfare of the California bullfrog. In 1995 the Board of Directors of the 39th District Agricultural Association adopted the Frog Welfare Policy, underscoring the Fair’s commitment to treat the frogs in a humane manner. Professional Frog Teams travel from all over the state to compete. Past champions get to camp at our beautiful Frog Pond. If you are looking for some tips on how to jump, find one of our Frog Teams. They are true professionals! The Jumping Frog Jubilee is held the 3rd weekend of every May.
The world record of 21’ 5” was set in 1986 by Rosie the Ribeter.
On the left is where the celebrated frogs cavort; right is the arena where frog roping and bucking frogs events are held. On the hills in the background is where the froggies graze, and out-of-frame to the left is the pond where VIP frogs hang out. Of historical note is the World Record is 21’5″.
Writers Forum 