Over the past 25 years Fellsmere has celebrated its homegrown delicacies – frog legs and gator tail – in an effort to support youth activities in the city. Prior to this year’s festival, organizers have raised more than $600,000 – much of which has gone to maintain parks and provide opportunities for kids.
One example: With Frog Leg Festival funds, third-graders from Fellsmere Elementary have been able to get swimming lessons.
“That’s why we do it,” said Frog Leg Festival founder Fran Adams. That and for the response the annual event elicits from the community. “It always brings a smile,” she said of whenever someone mentions the festival. “People just have a good time.”
“It’s like an old country fair,” she continued, adding that the food, the entertainment and rides continue to improve.
“We’ve fine-tuned the cooking process,” Adams said while watching as the volunteers in the kitchen worked in unison to pass dinners from one end of the room to the other and out the kitchen window to hungry patrons.
This year, organizers expected to whip up 9,000 to 10,000 meals and serve 4,000 pounds of frog legs and 3,000 pounds of gator tail.
“We hope we do and we hope we don’t,” volunteer Maggie Sammons said about whether the dinners would run out before the festival ended Sunday evening.
Thousands upon thousands of people flocked to Downtown Fellsmere starting Thursday – kicking the four-day event into high gear.
Adams said Thursday was the best opening day they’d ever had. Approximately 1,000 dinners passed through the Frog Leg kitchen that night, nearly double what they typically sell.
Friday, however, made up for the fast Thursday. Rains and winds kept the crowds to a minimum. But by Saturday, the rains cleared out, leaving behind a crisp and brisk wind that buffeted the crowds dressed in sweaters, winter coats, scarves, hoods and – for some – gloves.
“I’m not cold,” Sammons quipped, keeping herself busy collecting dinner tickets. Wearing a long-sleeved “Kiss My Frog” shirt, she was kept toasty as steam from the 80-degree Frog Leg kitchen passed through the window along with the meals.
“Thank goodness for sunshine,” said Sammons while she barked out orders through the kitchen window. “It’s absolutely great.”
Taking a moment to reflect on the Frog Leg Festival, Adams expressed surprise that the event was still going strong.
“My friends still laugh at me,” she said, recalling those who helped create the event. “This year, the festival itself keeps growing” in intensity and in attendance. “It just keeps getting better. Mardi Gras move over, because the frogs are hopping!”