A Hopping Good Time at the 54 th Annual Frog Derby in Augusta By Nila Harris
Photos courtesy of Sydney Utz
Dalton Mains, Minerva, has been a part of the annual frog derby since he was a youngster in the
1990s. Now Mains, and his 4 year old daughter Maisyn, participate in the yearly event. Prior to
the derby, Mains caught 12 frogs for his daughter and other children in the family to participate.
On Sunday, September 6 th , the participants formed a circle in the center of downtown Augusta.
All waited for the whistle, then let their frogs hop. The frog that crossed the finish line first was
declared the winner. “There are different heats or groups, and the winner of each heat makes it to
the final round,” explained Maisyn’s mother Sydney Utz. “The kids all win money that’s
donated by Metcalfe-Hennessey Funeral Home, which is nice.”
First place winner was Jr. Taylor, son of Haley and Drew Fields of Germantown. Atlas Wenz, of
Dover, the 7-year-old son of Ryan and Savanna Wenz, took second place honors. Third place
went to 10 month old Riley Mains whose parents are Lauren Mains and Shane Johnson of
Corinth in Grant County.