FELLSMERE — This week, tens of thousands of people will descend upon the small city of Fellsmere, easily tripling or even quadrupling the population for four days during the annual Frog Leg Festival.
But, more than people, the festival will bring in thousands of dollars, which will go toward recreation programs in the city and to various youth and civic organizations that help make the festival run smoothly.
Since the inaugural year in 1990, the event has generated more than $500,000 that has been poured back into the community.
“We don’t talk about what we’re going to do with the money until we have it,” said festival organizer Maggie Sammons.
In the past, some of the funds went to preserve the Old Fellsmere School, which is now Fellsmere City Hall.
Annually, some money goes to funding swim lessons for third graders at Fellsmere Elementary. The school also receives funds to supplement its budgets for physical education, art and music, according to Sammons.
What else has the Frog Leg Festival funded around the city?
The scoreboard at the Little League Field is one, soccer nets for the goal posts at the park behind the field is another.
Grant Park’s playground equipment and the Senior League ballfield are two more.
It takes hundreds of volunteers to keep the Frog Leg Festival going year after year and to run as smoothly as it does.
Those volunteer groups receive a portion of the proceeds from the festival as a kind of “thank you” for helping.
Such organizations have included various athletic teams and clubs from Sebastian River High School, including Crew, Flags, Rugby, Softball, Tennis, Girls Weightlifting, and the International Baccalaureate Program.
Other groups have included the 4-H Club, Operation Hope, the American Cancer Society, and the Fellsmere Exchange Club.
As in recent years, organizers are planning to serve up more than 7,000 frog leg and gator tail dinners, which can be had for $9 and $14, respectively, and include grits, coleslaw and hush puppies.
Sampler plates of one pound of either frog legs or gator tail, without sides, go for $11 and $13, respectively.
For the first time, the festival will get kicked off with a fly-over, courtesy of Velocity Aircraft, of Sebastian.
Another highlight this year is a performance from The Voice finalist Casey Weston. She will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday during the After the Rodeo Dance Party.
“There’s just fun to be had by all,” Sammons said, adding that they are hoping that the recent warm, sunny weather sticks around for the festival.
Along with gator tail and frog legs to eat, there will be more than 100 vendors with items for sale, ranging from jewelry and clothing to outdoor gear and artwork.
The festival opens Thursday afternoon, Jan. 17 and runs through Jan. 20.
