LELAND —The Leland Chamber of Commerce’s (LCOC) ninth annual Leland Frog Fest is fast approaching and folks are sure to have a hoppin’ good time at this year’s event.
Every year, Leland hosts this festival in celebration of the life and accomplishments of Jim Henson, who spent his boyhood in Leland — where he was inspired to create the Muppets.
The festival is set to begin 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 in historic downtown Leland along Third Street.
Festival goers can anticipate the usual fun-filled activities such as train rides, balloon art and music. New attractions to look forward to at this year’s festival include a magic show and a kayak and canoe paddle sponsored by the Delta Paddlers Association and the Deer Creek Water Association.
LCOC Executive Director Mary Anne Brocato said the two associations have never done this before — a kayak and canoe paddle from Stoneville to Leland in an effort to promote paddle sports on Deer Creek with the eventual goal of opening all 155 miles of Deer Creek for paddling through five counties and 13 towns.
Following the group paddle, Delta Outdoors from Cleveland will have a booth set up where people can take a test ride in various kayaks on Deer Creek.
An exciting, yet tasty, highlight of the festival, as always, is the annual Frog Fest Chili Cook-off, which has become a tradition with the chili teams cooking all morning and persuading festivalgoers to vote for them for the People’s Choice Award.
The People’s Choice Award isn’t the only perk, but the winning team will receive a cash prize and unlimited bragging rights of course for the best chili.
Five dollars will buy festival goers a tasting spoon, souvenir cup, which allows unlimited chili tasting and a vote for the People’s Choice of chili cooking.
The more competition the better, and to register a chili team, download the packet and application at lelandchamber.com/page/Frogfest or from the Frog Fest Facebook page.
Not to be forgotten is the Frog Fest fun run for children ages 10 and younger and a 5K race for folks of all ages, which are both free of charge and sponsored by Delta Health Alliance in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles to the community.
The 5K race is one lap around Deer Creek, walking or running, and gives participants a chance to compete for awards. The fun run will begin at 9 a.m. and the 5K will start at 9:30 a.m. with an awards presentation following.
To secure a T-shirt size, participants must register for both races online by Sept. 27 at raceroster.com/events/2019/23846/frog-fest-5k.
Bringing back the blues
What should be to festival goers’ delight this year is the joining of the 20th annual Highway 61 Blues Festival at the same location which will have entertainment from 11 a.m. to 10. p.m.
“This was a good weekend for Highway 61 Blues Festival and the Frog Festival so we decided to do them in conjunction,” Brocato said. “We’ve had it here for 15 or 16 years and now it’s coming back home.”
Featured entertainers this year are Pat Thomas, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Libby Rae Watson, Bill Able and Cadillac John Nolden, The Zach Day Band, The John Horton Band, Lightnin Malcolm, Eden Brent and Super Chikan and his Fighting Cocks.
Festival goers will be able to purchase delicious festival food and drinks during the day and are encouraged to bring chairs, but no coolers, kick back and enjoy the festivities.
Admission to the Blues Festival is free with a donation of two canned goods for the Leland Food Pantry.
“We do that every festival we have. It helps out our community and helps a need that we have and its not difficult for people to give canned goods,” Brocato said.
Frog Fest will also be hosting a variety of pop-up vendors along Third Street during the day. There is still plenty of time to register. Those interested in participating as a vendor can email lelandcoc@gmail.com.
For more information on Frog Fest, visit their Facebook page (/Leland Frogfest_, email lelandcoc@gmail.com or visit lelandchamber.com/page/Frogfest or call 662-379-3764.
