Information and a little History
Of
Oosoola Park Family Fun Day and Frog Race
If you are one of the many people who have driven through the Town of Norridgewock on Labor Day weekend and wondered what all the commotion is about... Well here is your insight to the happenings of the Norridgewock Oosoola Park Family Fun Day.
It all started over 30 years ago when a local store owner in the town thought of a way to get family and friends together for a weekend of fun and activities for all. He remembered the love of children and their curiosity with nature and brought the two together with the first ever Norridgewock Frog Race. Some of you may be scratching your heads and saying Frog Race? What on earth is that? Well here is a little on what happens at a frog race.
Children of all ages spend a day either at the local pond or right in their back yard looking for the biggest and fastest frog they can find. Once they have their frogs they prepare for the next day at the frog races. At the park the anticipation is almost too much for them to handle. There are a few escapes with the many children showing off what they think are the best and fastest frogs. The race is divided into age groups. When it is time for the race to start the frogs are brought to the “race circle” for the racing to begin. The contestants try to have their frogs go from the big outer circle and be the first to pass the little inner circle to win the race. How do they do this? There is no contact with the frogs... The challenge is to get your frog to move by either blowing on their backs or slapping the ground around the frog. The first three to pass the inner circle win the race. Trophies are awarded in each class with all contestants receiving a participation ribbon.
Labor Day begins with the Norridgewock parade at 9:00 am. This year’s theme for the Parade is “Favorite Sports Team/Event” The parade route starts at the Central Grade School and ends at Oosoola Park where the day’s fun and activities start. This year is another day filled with many fun activities…. From the Pet Show to the Baby Crawl--- Horse Shoes to Hat Judging. New this year is the Kids corner where children of all ages can have fun making their own frog face, painting a wooden plane or playing one of the games that we have come up with this year.
Remember all the events are free. At 1:00 is the famous Frog Race. Last year we had over 200 kids. Why not check out the fun and activities for the whole family. We hope to see you at the Norridgewock Oosoola Park Family Fun Day.