Calaveras County gets hoppin'May 15, 1997Web posted at: 12:00 a.m. EDT (0400 GMT) "'What might it be that you've got in the box?' "And Smiley says, sorter indifferent-like, 'It might be a parrot, or it might be a canary, maybe, but it ain't -- it's only just a frog.' "And the feller took it, and looked at it careful, and turned it round this way and that, and says, 'H'm -- so 'tis. Well, what's he good for?' "'Well,' Smiley says, easy and careless, 'he's good enough for one thing, I should judge -- he can outjump any frog in Calaveras County.'" -- Mark Twain (CNN) -- Thousands of frogs are vying for that honor this weekend at the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. The event grew out of Mark Twain's 1865 story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." More than 3,000 frogs from around the world are expected to jump in four days of competition starting Thursday. Frog-trainers of all ages are allowed to participate. In 1994, a three-year-old won the Grand Finals (three-year-old child, that is, not frog). The world record frog jump was set in 1986, by a hopper known as "Rosie the Ribiter," who jumped 21 feet, 5.75 inches. Any frog that beats the record will win its trainer $5,000. For those who prefer non-amphibian sporting events, rodeos will be held on Saturday and Sunday. A fair and concerts, featuring country star Ty Herndon and Blues Brothers tribute band, Rubber Biscuit, round out the festivities. A four day pass is $23 for adults, $17 for senior citizens and children under 12. For more information see the Calaveras County Fair website below. 
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