There's just something about those Vilonia toads.
The final round of the Jump for Education race at Toad Suck Daze was between Fly Face, raced by Levi Beard of Vilonia Elementary School, and Long Legs, raced by Lauren Rappold of Vilonia Primary School.
Faulkner County students who were named winners in the individual school races joined together Saturday to compete for the grand prize and according to toad race announcer Marty Sikes, Fly Face won by a leg.
Beard and his quick-hopping friend are the proud winners of a toadally awesome pair of computers one for home and one to be placed in his classroom. He also received a Jump for Education trophy that Sikes said comes with bragging rights for an entire year.
The computers were donated by the Conway Wal-Mart stores and the Jump for Education race is held in memory of Jamie Bray, who originally spearheaded the competition, according to Sikes.
"I'm excited about it it feels very good to win the computers," Beard said after the race.
Bill Beard, the racing champ's dad, said the second-grader will actually get to take the classroom computer to his school and personally present it to his classmates, which he said his son was very excited about.
Beard, who is a first-time toad racer, said the big secret behind Fly Face's athletic skills is a healthy diet of crickets.
He said the family purchased a tube of crickets at the local hardware store and Fly Face has enjoyed a tasty treat each night to prepare for the big race.
"We knew all along he was going to win this," Shannon Beard, Beard's mother, said. "He knew, too he would tell us everyday how he already knew he was the winner. And I think it's so great that the prize is a computer."
Shannon Beard said the fame has been getting to Fly Face's head over the past few days and the family has been joking about being in the presence of a celebrity at home.
Beard's cheering squad included not only his mom and dad, but his little brothers, first-grader Timothy and preschooler Jesse, and his grandmother, Nan Ramsey, all of Vilonia. Shannon Beard also said Timothy's toad, Speedy, was one of the fastest in his class at Vilonia Elementary, too.
Although Long Legs ended up placing as runner-up for the final race, he zoomed past the other contestants in the first heat. And Rappold, who is a fourth-grader, has a secret for their success.
She said she actually has 10 toads at home she had been training for the big competition and Long Legs just happened to be the best of the bunch.
Rappold was given a $200 Wal-Mart gift certificate for placing second and all students who participated in the Jump for Education received trophies as a reward for being the best toad trainers in their schools.
V.I.T. Race
The kids weren't the only ones willing to touch those slimy, slippery little creatures and cheer them to victory Saturday a few Very Important Toads participated, too.
The Very Important Toad race featured the toad queens, local beauty queens, the festival's honorary co-chairs, senators, representatives, local law enforcement officials and political candidates and after a round of the Toady Woady, the competition was on.
Dr. Terry Fiddler, president of the Conway School Board, said he had high hopes for his toad Big Brown, but Joe White, who is running for state senator, and his Wampus Cat toad were victorious.
Because Sikes and Toad Master Brian Ratliff said they had some issues with toadroids in the past with local politicians, they made sure to check each toad before the race; however, White jokingly admitted to the use of toadroids to give his Wampus Cat toad the characteristic six legs.
General Races
General rounds of toad races were also held throughout the festival and the only requirement was having the courage to hold a toad.
From Cinderella to Beetoaden to Sir Hops-a-lot, and of course the classic Toady, the toads showed off their speed as kids pounded the ground behind them, blew on them and cheered them on.
Anyone who won a toad race Friday and Saturday was given a blue ribbon, which makes them eligible for the world championship toad races, which will be held at the Toad Dome at 2 p.m. today.
(Staff writer Jessica Bauer can be reached by e-mail at jessica.bauer@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)
