Since 1992
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By Liz Pimental
RANGELEY — Area kds got completely unplugged for an afternoon of fun with amphibians at the Frog and Toad Jumping Contest, held at the annual Blueberry Festival on Aug. 16.
Rangeley once again demonstrated its willingness to come together for the benefit of the community by providing one of the most enjoyable and unique events of the summer.
The contest included 13 frogs and two toads, their human trainers aged 3 to 13, and a good-size audience. Andy and Dick Hall, along with this writer, once again officiated as judges. Catchers Julia Russo and Bridget Smith did an outstanding job of returning the amphibians that leaped out of bounds to their owners.
The jumpers were judged on the best of three jumps. Winners were:
In the Large category, First Place and Best Overall was Saul Ellis, 3, and Jumper, who jumped a whopping 37-plus inches; Second Place, Gage Olson, 5, and Jonathan for his 24.5-inch leap; Third Place, Quint Delutio, 6, and High, who jumped 24 inches.
In the highly competitive Medium category, First Place was Mac Delutio, 4, and Blaster, with a 26.5-inch jump; Second Place, Caleb Thompson, 8, and Bull, with a 25-plus inch jump; Third Place, Brendan Marcott, 10, and Mr. Skipper, with a 24.5-inch jump.
In the Small category, First Place winner was Savannah Colbert, 12, and Coco, with a 7.5-inch jump; Second Place was Vannessa Colbert, 8, and Spot, a 6-plus inch hop.
Other prizes included Large Biggest Back, won by Small, entered by Maxten Philbrick, 3; Large Quietest, Chubby, entered by Faith Olson, 12.
Most Energetic was Frogaleena, entered by Skylar Thompson, 4. The prize for having the most stripes went to Sir Hopp-a-Lot, entered by Seth Whidden, 13.
Most Colorful was Boo, entered by Cody Marcott, 8; Most Eager to Go was Jupiter, whose trainer, 11-year-old Libby Whidden, was last year’s Best Overall winner.
Andy Brady, 3, and Tex, who jumped around in the bucket so much we could barely get him out, won the prize for Feistiest.
Books, Lines and Thinkers, Ecopelagicon, Mr. Sweet Tooth and Pine Tree Frosty provided the prizes. Brent Quimby and Patty Ellis supplied buckets and nets for catching the amphibians. Many donors also gave to the Booster Fund. When everyone rises to the occasion, hops right to it, and jumps in to assist, the Frog Jumping Contest is ribbeting.
TOP PHOTO: The 15 contestants in Rangeley’s Annual Blueberry Festival Frog and Toad Jumping Contest line up with their amphibians. (Submitted photo)
