On July 11, the St. Pierre-Jolys Frog Follies will be back for another four days of summertime fun, and with it comes a full line-up of family events to celebrate the festival’s fiftieth year. Best yet, all this entertainment can be enjoyed at no cost for entry.
“You can just wander around and see all of the entertainment for free, including the big acts,” says Faith Desharnais, president of the Frog Follies organizing committee.
Live bands will take the stage, such as the 90s rock troupe Keep the Change, blues band The Grifters, and back by popular demand, Free Ride, a 50s and 60s tribute band.
For sports enthusiasts, the slo-pitch and ultimate frisbee tournaments will take place on Saturday and Sunday. For thrill-seekers, Freestyle Motocross and Elevate Skateshop will host heart-stopping demonstrations of some of their most daring stunts on motorbike and skateboard.
Kids will be kept busy all weekend with endless activities under the big tent, where they can check out the petting zoo, Madame Diva, LuLuBell the Clown, and Eric the Juggler, known for his chainsaw-juggling act.
“A number of years ago, we actually received an award for having the best children’s activities in a Canada-wide magazine,” boasts Desharnais. “It’s a huge tent and it’s all under there.”
Frog-Jumping
Of course, the festival’s trademark event—frog-jumping—gives every age group a chance to get hands-on with the local amphibians and win some cash prizes. This long-standing tradition is what put St. Pierre-Jolys on the map 50 years ago when the community hosted the first Canadian National Frog-Jumping Championship.
It all began with a group of locals seeking to celebrate the community’s rich francophone heritage—and their unique approach didn’t go unnoticed. On July 14, 1970, the community festival was paid a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, who helped them launch the very first St. Pierre Frog Follies.
The mayor at the time, Fernand Lavergne, sent out a challenge to politicians and mayors of other Manitoba towns to compete in the contest. Well-known judges and magistrates showed up for the judging. The winner of the first-ever frog-jumping contest was Albert Driedger, reeve of the RM of Hanover. His frog, Georges, jumped 7 feet 1.25 inches.
Since that time, the frog-jumping contest has been the focal point of the annual festival. The event will kick off on Thursday night with the catching of frogs. Children from the area are encouraged to arrive at Maplewood Golf Course at 6:00 p.m.
“The frogs are treated well, they’re fed [a special diet], they’re kept in a cool area, and they’ve got water,” says Desharnais of the frogs’ treatment over the course of the festival.
Every year the committee must apply to Manitoba Sustainable Development for permission to catch the frogs. They receive a Wild Animal Capture permit, which allows them to capture only Northern Leopard frogs for use in the contest. The festival staff are required, as well, to return the frogs back to the place where they were caught and provide a full report to the government agency at the close of the weekend.
“We have permission [to catch] up to 100 [frogs], but we don’t usually manage to catch that many,” Desharnais says. “If you want to come catch frogs, just come along. We’ve got ice cream pails and nets. [The kids] just go in and scoop them up.”
The truth is, the frogs aren’t just treated well, they’re treated with a certain kind of reverence. Once caught, the frogs become known as the “athletes.” Each contest participant can select their athlete and give it a name.
During each contest, the athlete is gently held in place at the starting point and, when released, gets three jumps before their ending point is carefully measured and documented. A trained emcee gives the start call and keeps the participants and gathered crowd cheering.
Desharnais says participants get really invested in the event, developing techniques like drying off the front feet for better grip and encouraging their athlete without the use of physical contact.
Children’s and adults’ frog-jumping competitions take place on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the frog competitions are open to local business sponsors and VIP dignitaries. At the end, a Grand National playoff takes place with cash prizes at stake in every category.
If you’re wondering how the small village of St. Pierre-Jolys, with a population of just over 1,000, can host an event of this magnitude at no cost to the attendee, Desharnais says it’s all thanks to the amazing sponsorship by local businesses, churches, and the village council.
Local groups, too, are what makes the committee’s job easier. The St. Pierre-Jolys Chamber of Commerce provides a full supper on Saturday night. Each Chamber member is responsible to provide one menu item and attendees can expect a loaded plate of food for just $6. The proceeds are donated back to the festival committee.
As well, one local church has managed the entire tent of children’s activities for many years, a local recreation group is organizing this year’s social at the arena, and even the Cinéma Station is providing a free showing of Dumbo on Saturday night.
Small fees are collected from entrants at each of the contests. Frog-jumping, for example, costs $5 and the cake- or watermelon-eating contests just $2.
“We’re expecting… probably around a 1,000 [attendees] each day,” Desharnais says, suggesting that at least half of those are residents of other communities who come out to enjoy the festivities.
