Years ago, when we happened to be visiting Arkansas in May, I went to Toad Suck Daze to buy Toad Suck, Arkansas T-shirts for several coworkers. At that time, the festival was held along the river at Toad Suck. Since then, due to flooding, it’s been moved to downtown Conway.
Of course we had to check it out the first year we lived in town. We found a parking space a couple blocks up the road and wandered through the crowds. We were in time for some exciting festival events in the main tent.
First there was the crowning of the Toad Queens. There must have been 20 in total — from infants to old women — all with slightly different titles. Here are just a few.
Next, the Miss Toad Sucks and others did the Toady Woady — which is identical to the Hokey Pokey except for the name.
And then, finally, it was time for the Toad Races. The toads here, as is the case most places throughout the festival, are actually frogs. After explaining what to do if your “toad” goes out of your lane, the Emcee gave the rules — “No flippin’, no floppin’, let the toads do the hoppin’. After a rousing cry of “One your mark. Get Set. Toad!” the race was on. And over in about two seconds. The flying toad in the background crossed the finish line way ahead, but not in its proper lane. When it was placed back on the track, it just sat there, pouting. The winner was the portly gentleman in the blue shirt who is a state congressman. He’s also a cheater, and he did considerable shoving of his “toad.”
The freshly repainted the Toad Suck Daze design in the middle of a downtown intersection.
We wandered around the vendors and into the Toad Store for maybe half an hour and that was all the Toad Suck Daze we were in the mood for.
Some Conway streetside sculpture.
I’ll use this space to air my complaint. “Toad Suck, Arkansas” is funny. We like to buy gifts for non-Arkansas that say “Toad Suck, Arkansas” on them. The problem is that they’re really hard to find. Almost everything says “Toad Suck Daze,” which means nothing to anyone who hasn’t been to the festival. Fortunately, a few appropriately labeled souvenirs are available at the gas station at Toad Suck Lock and Dam.