Frog Follies lands in St Pierre

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This article was published 09/07/2015 (3965 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

One of southeastern Manitoba’s longest-running festivals jumps back into St Pierre-Jolys this weekend to celebrate agriculture, fun and frogs.

The St Pierre-Jolys Frog Follies and Agricultural Fair kicks off on Thursday evening with a frog hunt at the Maplewood Golf Course at 6 p.m.

The festival’s vice-president, Marie-Christine Bruce said they’ll set people up with a net and an ice cream pail bucket to collect frogs from the area. They will then take good care of the frogs and will release them after the festivities are over.

The frogs, of course, are for the festival’s main event—the frog jumping competitions.

If you’ve ever wanted to hold the title of ‘National Frog Jumping Champion,’ it is your time to shine. Anyone can participate in the frog jumping, but don’t frog-et to register at the festival first, as there are small fees associated with the event. You can bring your own Northern Leopard Frog or chose one that was caught the day before.

The festival, which has been around since 1970, is adding a few new components this year. Geocaching will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. There will be a pulled pork Frog Follies supper that evening at 5 p.m. in the BSI Insurance Tent during which an improv troupe who came together specifically for the festival will perform. There will a cribbage tournament and bocce ball—both take place Sunday at 1 p.m.

The slo-pitch tournament is always a hit each year. Stop by Carillon Park throughout the day on Saturday to watch the action.

When not checking out the fair exhibits and attractions throughout the day, walk over to the main stage, which will have a variety of entertainment all throughout the weekend. Musician Marc Labossiere, extreme juggler Robin Chestnut, musician and ventriloquist Mr. Richards, the Susan French School of Highland Dance, and the Fubuki Daiko drummers are all scheduled to perform.

There are many things for children to do at this family-friendly event. They can hop like a frog on the Village Connections children’s inflatables and check out the animals at the Prancing Ponies Portable Petting Zoo. Or maybe the kids need to get hopping with a heap of candy. The Frog Follies parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

According to the festival’s website, on July 14, 1970, the dream of a community festival came true as St Pierre-Jolys welcomed Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles for a 20-minute visit to launch the first ever St Pierre-Jolys Frog Follies.

For a full schedule of events and rules for the frog jumping competitions, visit frogfollies.com.