Many Jump At Chance To Enter Frog Contest

Despite a rift between organizers, thousands of frog wranglers turned out Sunday for Calaveras County's famous frog-jumping contest that was inspired by Mark Twain's tall tale. About 4,000 contestants entered the Calaveras County Fair's annual Jumping Frog Jubilee this year, twice as many as last year, according to the event's organizers. The annual event is inspired by "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," Mark Twain's tale of a frog-jumping contest that is weighted in one gambler's favor when he secretly fills his opponent's frog with buckshot. Winning owners get a $750 prize or $5,000 if their frog breaks the 1986 record of 21 feet, 5¾ inches set by Rosie the Ribeter.