Festival Guide Sunday, April 26, 2015
4A — Sunday, April 26, 2015
Toad Suck Daze
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Crawl, Drag and Squirt ..............................................................................21 Entertainment.................................................................................................6 Event Schedule .......................................................................................16-17 Food...............................................................................................................10 Festival Map .................................................................................................18 Kids ...........................................................................................................9, 20 Scholarships..................................................................................................19 Shopping .........................................................................................................5 Sports ...........................................................................................................7-8 Toad Races ......................................................................................................9 Toad Suck Challenge ...................................................................................14 Toad Suck Tips .............................................................................................23
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Oak Street Galleria named new shopping event at festival Special to the Loc Cabin
Toad Suck Daze is bringing a new open-air shopping event to central Arkansas during this year’s festival. The Oak Street Galleria, sponsored by Smith Ford, features high-quality merchandise from upscale boutiques and skilled artisans across the region. The 24 vendors were chosen by a jury and will complement the merchants of downtown Conway. “Festival goers can still count on seeing traditional crafters in our Toad Market,” said Brad Lacy, Conway Area Chamber CEO. “But the Galleria gives us the opportunity to put the festival’s most retail oriented vendors in the heart of downtown Conway’s shopping. The Galleria will complement our downtown store fronts by pulling po-
tential shoppers down Oak Street.” The Galleria will have vendors split into separate “booths” under a 2,400 square foot tent. Products include: boutique apparel, furniture, custom woodwork and home décor. Lacy said that the Galleria represents an effort to successfully integrate festival attendees into the downtown economy. “Every year, Toad Suck Daze brings new people to downtown Conway. We hope the Galleria facilitates some of those attendees visiting a downtown store and becoming regular customers.
galleria
SHOPPING AT TOAD SUCK DAZE
staff photo
A little girl tries to decide which puppet to buy at a booth.
Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 5A
6A — Sunday, April 26, 2015
Toad Suck Daze
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Leon Russell, Corey Smith to headline Toad Suck Daze Regular Toad Suck attendees will notice a different feel to this year’s main stage entertainment. This year’s festival promises to bring “regional and relevant” entertainment to the McDonald’s/Crain Kia Main Stage. “I think in years past, we really just looked for well-known entertainers available the first weekend in May,” said Jamie Gates of the Conway Area Chamber. “This year, we’re trying to be a little more thoughtful with our approach. We’ve got a good mix of Arkansans and big name acts from neighboring states and the south.”
FRIDAY, MAY 1
Sonny Burgess, Jason D. Williams and Leon Russell will headline the Friday night entertainment at Toad Suck Daze. Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers are members of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. The Newport native recorded for the famous Sun Records and legendary producer Sam Phillips during the label’s heyday. The band was the opening act for Elvis Presley earlier in his career. Burgess will take the McDonald’s/ Crain Kia Main Stage at 6:45p.m. El Dorado-native Jason D. Wil-
liams is a pianist, singer and songwriter who performs rock ‘n’ roll, country, blues, jazz, folk, and other genres. Known as a “wild man onstage,” Williams is often compared to Jerry Lee Lewis. He did the piano work in the award-winning Lewis biopic “Great Balls of Fire.” He has played backup for Billy Ray Cyrus, Johnny Rivers and Dale Watson, among others. Williams will perform on the McDonald’s/Crain Kia Main Stage at 8 p.m. Leon Russell is an accomplished and versatile musician who has played on records in several genres, including pop, rock, blues, country, bluegrass and gospel. He has collaborated with hundreds of artists during his 50-year career, including Elton Joh, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Barbra Streisand, Ike & Tina Turner, B.B. King, Ringo Starr and John Lennon. In 2011, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Oklahoma native will take the McDonald’s/Crain Kia Main Stage at 9:15p.m.
Submitted Photo
The free “Legends of Rockabilly concert will take place Friday, May 1, and will feature Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers, Jason D. Williams, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Leon Russell.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
The Saturday night acts are Forrest Williams, Barrett Baber and Corey Smith.
Submitted Photo
The free “Americana Soul” concert on Saturday, May 2, will feature Forrest Williams, Barrett Baber and Corey Smith.
Forrest Williams of Conway will perform on the McDonald’s/Crain Kia Main Stage at 6:30 p.m. His musical style incorporates the acoustic guitar and harmonica with influences in rock, blues, country and folk from the 1960s to the present day.
Williams released his first album in 2007 and is currently working on his third album. Arkansas-native Barrett Baber is a songwriter who continues to reach new fans nationwide.
HEADLINE < 13A
Toad Suck Daze
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Tour de Toad raises funds for adult literacy Special to the Log Cabin
Now in its eighth year, the Tour de Toad – a Toad Suck Daze sanctioned event – will take place Saturday, May 2. Dozens of cyclists will participate in a 25-mile or 46-mile bike ride that raises funds to support Literacy Action of Central Arkansas, an organization that works to increase adult literacy in Faulkner and Pulaski counties. In 2014, Literacy Action of Central Arkansas began partnering with the Conway Kiwanis for the Iron Toad
event. Participants who complete both the Toad Suck Daze Run as well as the Tour de Toad ride earn an Iron Toad custom medal. Tour de Toad riders will leave Conway High School’s John McConnell Stadium Fieldhouse at noon. Online registration is open at active.com (search for Tour de Toad) and on-site registration will be available on race day. For more information about the Toad Suck Daze 10K/5K Run and Tadpole Trot, visit ToadSuckRun.com.
Submitted Photo
Runners race for the finish at the Toad Suck Daze Run.
Online registration open for Toad Suck Daze Run, Tadpole Trot Special to the log cabin
Toads are not the only ones racing to the finish line the first weekend in May. The 2015 Toad Suck Daze Run will take place Saturday, May 2, and includes a 10K and a 5K run/walk, a wheelchair
event and a Tadpole Trot for children ages 4-12. The races will begin at the John McConnell Stadium Fieldhouse at Conway High School. Online registration is open at ToadSuckRun.com and on-site registration will be available on race day.
History of the Toad Suck Daze Run
The Conway Kiwanis Club started the Toad Suck 10K in 1982 to be run in conjunction with the Toad Suck Daze festival, which was estab-
RUN < 8A
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RUN from 7A lished that same year. In 1984, First National Bank (now Regions Bank) began an 8K race in memory of an employee, Randy
Baker, who died of cancer. Proceeds from the Randy Baker 8K benefited the American Cancer Society. In 1986, the race
Toad Suck Daze
was combined with the Toad Suck Daze 10K and remains in memory of Randy Baker, with proceeds benefiting nonprofit agencies in Faulkner County.
About the Races
The Conway Running Club hosts the Toad Suck Daze 10K. The 10K is part of the Arkansas RRCA Grand Prix, a series of road and cross-country races administered by the Arkansas chapter of the Road Runners Club of America. The 5K is held in conjunction with the 10K. The Toad Suck Daze Run uses chip timing technology to calculate results, which will be available online at ArkansasRunner.com, ArkRRCA.com and ToadSuckRun.com. The Tadpole Trot races will be held at Submitted photo Conway High School’s Kids start the Tadpole Trot during Toad Suck in 2014. The races will be held at Conway High School’s John John McConnell StadiMcConnell Stadium after the 10K and 5K participants have finished. um after all 10K and 5K participants have completed the course. The school with the greatest participation based on percentage of enrollment will receive a traveling trophy, and the school’s physical education program will receive a $200 donation. Conway Christian School was the 2014 winner. For more information about the Toad Suck Daze 10K/5K Run and Tadpole Trot, visit ToadSuckRun.com.
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Toad Suck sports
Toadal sports at festival Running, bicyling and cyling By DAVID MCCOLLUM LOG CABIN STAFF WRITER
Jumping about with hashtags on the two Toad Suck sporting events.
TOAD SUCK 10K/5K
#STILLRUNNING: It’s one of the oldest continuing events in its 33rd year. #HOPPINGEARLY: The 10K and 5K, which run for awhile along the same course through Conway neighborhoods before splitting, begin at 8 a.m. at John McConnell Stadium at Conway High. #TADPOLEFUN: Tadpole Trots, age-graded runs of 200, 400 and 800 meters, for youngsters, 4-12, begin about 10 a.m. at the Conway track.
PARTICIPATIONPAYS:
A monetary prize is given to the school with the most participants in the Tadpole Trots. Conway Christian is the defending champion. #INMEMORY: The races are coordinated by the Conway Kiwanis Club, with assistance from the Conway Running Club, in memory of Randy Taylor, a former running enthusiast who wqs killed in an automobile accident. #PACKETPICKUP: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at The Sporty Runner, 1016 Van Ronkle, 4-7 p.m., Buzz Bolding Are-
na at Conway High, and 6:30-7:30 a.m. at John McConnell Stadium. #CHARITABLE: The races have raised about $350,000 over the years for various charities. #MOREINFO: toadsuckrun.com/race.
TOUR DE TOAD
#CYCLING: The bike ride begins at the fieldhouse at Conway High School West at 11 a.m. Saturday and cointinues through the Toad Suck countryside. #CHOICES: Participants can either take a 25- or 46-mile course. Rest stops are provided. #READINGANDRIDING: The ride raises funds for adult literacy programs in Faulkner County through Literary Action of Central Arkansas. #ALLWELCOME: The ride is open to all levels of cyclists. #REGISTEREARLY: Pre-registration is $40. The fee increases to $45 on May 1. #ATTHEFINISH: Snacks and a DJ. #MORESTUFF: Updated information is on Facebook at TourdeToad. #IRONTOAD: A custom-made Iron Toad medal will be presented to participants who completed both a Toad Suck Run and the Tour de Toad. #EXHAUSTION: The most common experience for the Iron Toads.
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Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 9A
Toad Suck Kids Club memberships available Special to the Log Cabin
What if your children could procure a “fastpass” and hop to the front of the line at Toad Suck Daze’s popular Toad Races? This is just one exclusive benefit children ages 12 or under can receive through a Toad Suck Kids Club membership. The Toad Suck Kids Club, sponsored by 501 LIFE, is a new part of Toad Suck Daze. Mary Margaret Satterfield, director of Toad Suck Daze and events at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Kids Club is a perfect fit for the largest, free-admission, family festival in Arkansas. “Surveys have shown that families with children make up Toad Suck Daze’s largest group of attendees,” she said. “The Kids Club is a great way for this population to get the most out of their festival experience.” For $25, Toad Suck Kids Club members receive a number of perks. A Kids Club T-shirt and wristband are part of the membership and serve as identification when claiming a goodie bag from the Toadal Kids Zone or seeking a spot in the Kids Club line at the World-Famous Toad Races. Kids Club members also receive five Toad Bucks. Membership does not cease at the end of the festival; the Toad Master will mail each
Submitted photo
Sometimes, the toads need encouragement to hop to the finish line.
Toad Races feature derby flavor Special to the Log Cabin
Kids Club member a card on his or her birthday. Toad Suck Kids Club
memberships are avail-
CLUB < 21A
In the sporting world the first weekend in May is reserved for the pinna-
cle of pedigreed racing. The race is a test that prompts any spectator to marvel at the stamina, power and grace of
these mighty animals. Obviously, we’re talking about the World Cham-
DERBY < 10A
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Toad Suck Daze
Toad Suck Daze kick off festival-food season Special to the log cabin
As the unofficial start to festival season in the state, Toad Suck Daze gives central Arkansas residents their first taste of festival food since the state and county fairs ended in the fall. The first weekend of
May signals the return of funnel cakes, freshsqueezed lemonade, chocolate-covered frozen bananas, kettle corn, deep-fried cookie dough, jumbo corn dogs, and other food-on-a-stick and deep-fried favorites. This year, the concessions at Toad Suck Daze
operate under a collective name: BHP Billiton Feastiville. BHP Billiton Feastiville features 39 food concessions run by independent vendors. As a community-focused festival, Toad Suck Daze gives select nonprofits the opportunity to operate a food conces-
sion or pay the groups to work a drink booth as a fundraiser for their organization. The 2015 BHP Billiton Feastiville concession vendors and their menu items are listed here and are available online at ToadSuck.org/ Concessions.
2015 BHP BILLITON FEASTIVILLE CONCESSION VENDORS
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DERBY from 9A pionship Toad Races at Toad Suck Daze. Presented by Caldwell Toyota and First Security Bank, this year’s world championship will feature a taste of the “derby flavor” associated with another race held in Kentucky. Toads (and their trainers) will be competing all weekend for the title of “World’s Fastest Toad.” The racing course, informally known as “Croaklawn”, runs for a grueling .02 furlongs— a little over 10 feet. The World Championship Toad Races are an “open” event-- meaning that participation is open to anyone who shows up willing to race.
Racers are encouraged to bring (and name) their own toad. However, there will be a “stable” of toads available for the public to race.
Open Racing Schedule
Friday, May 1st – 5:30 Saturday, May 2nd –10:30, 3:00 and 5:30 Sunday, May 3rd – 1:30
Special Racing Events
Friday, May 1st – 5:00 Very Important Toad Races Saturday, May 2nd – 9:00 Tricycle Race 9:30 Baby Crawl 10:30 Very Important Toad Races 1:00 Jump for Education Races Sunday, May 3rd – 3:00 Championship Toad Race
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Toad Suck Daze
Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 11A
12A — Sunday, April 26, 2015
Toad Suck Daze
FOOD AT TOAD SUCK
STAFF PHOTO
Chicken on a stick getting grilled in 2014.
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Toad Suck Daze
HEADLINE from 6A His music is a blend of country and soul, which was inspired by his frequent visits to street performers and artists on Beale Street in Memphis. Baber is the 2014 winner of the CBS Interactive GRAMMY® Gig of a Lifetime contest. He will perform on the McDonald’s/Crain Kia Main Stage at 8:00 p.m. Corey Smith is a country music singer and songwriter who has released 10 albums since 2003. Smith’s most recent album, “While the Gettin’ is Good” is the first album produced by a record label. The 12-song collection – which explores the themes of love, hometown pride and personal discovery – was written entirely by the Georgia native. Smith will take the McDonald’s/Crain Kia Main Stage at 9:15 p.m. All entertainment will take place on the McDonald’s/Crain Kia Main Stage in Simon Park and is presented by Acxiom Corporation, Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau, Crafton Tull, and Southwestern Energy. Toad Suck Daze is a free-admission festival; there is no fee for entry or entertainment. For a full schedule of festival entertainment and other attractions, visit ToadSuck.org or download the Toad Suck Daze app for iPhone or Android.
Submitted photo
Jay Myers, general manager of Crain Buick GMC, presents Bill Bethea, president of the Conway Downtown Partnership’s board of directors, with a $20,000 check from Toad Suck Daze. Crain Buick GMC is the presenting sponsor for the 2015 festival.
Submitted photo
Representatives from Arkansas Preschool Plus accept a $35,000 check from Toad Suck Daze. Pictured, from left: Michelle Ford, program director; Jerry Adams, board chair; Amy Routt, board member; Brad Lacy, board member and president/CEO of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce; Croaker the Toad; and Dr. Charlotte Rainey Green, founder and executive director.
Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 13A
14A — Sunday, April 26, 2015
Toad Suck Daze
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Arvest Bank, Crafton Tull, Crain Team to Sponsor Toad Suck Challenge Special to the Log Cabin
Arvest Bank, Crafton Tull, Inc. and the Crain Automotive Team are again sponsoring a competition during the annual Toad Suck Daze Festival. The event is an athletic competition where teams and individuals will compete for prizes and trophies on an inflatable obstacle course. The Toad Suck Challenge competition will make the event even more exciting by featuring categories where local media personalities, schools and non—profits can compete for trophies. There will also be two open categories with a two $2,500 cash prizes. Lori Melton, Arvest central Arkansas vice president of business development, said, “We’re thrilled bring back this fun and challenging event during Toad Suck Daze. We had a great turnout last year and
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured is the inflated obstacle course that will be at the festival.
have made some changes to make it
even better.” The event will be a timed speed competition with multiple categories and divisions and approximately $10,000 in prizes as follows: Individual Media Division– State and local media personalities will compete for a trophy at a specified event time. The fastest time in this category will win. Contestants in this category will register one hour prior to their designated event time at the event location. Team Nonprofit Division – A team of four designated individuals, with at least one being female, from Central Arkansas Nonprofits will compete at a specified time. The organization’s team with the fastest time will win $1,000 for their nonprofit agency. Organizations will need to register for this event at Arvest Bank, 2590 North Donaghey, Conway, AR 72032, April 13—May 1, 2015. Team Corporate — Teams of four employees, with at least one being female, from Central Arkansas businesses will compete for a trophy at a specified event time. Organizations will need to register for this event at Arvest Bank, 2590 North Donaghey,
Conway, AR 72032, April 13—May 1, 2015. Daze Dash Division — Female – this is an open competition where individuals will compete for $2,500. To compete in this division, contestants must register at online at www.toadsuckchallenge.com or by calling 501—513—4544. One hundred (100) names will be drawn to compete in a preliminary race on May 2, 2015. The top twenty (20) fastest female competitors in the Daze Dash Division—female will be invited back for the finals of the competition on Sunday, May 3, 2015. The fastest time in the finals of the event will win the $2,500 prize. Daze Dash Division — Male – this is an open competition where individual males will compete for $2,500. To compete in this division, contestants must register at online at www.toadsuckchallenge.com or by calling 501—513—4544. One hundred (100) names will be drawn to compete in a preliminary race on May 2, 2015. The top twenty (20) fastest male competitors in the Daze Dash Division—male will be invit-
CHALLENGE < 15A
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Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 15A
Toad Suck Daze
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET...
CHALLENGE from 14A
age or older.
Friday, May 1
Every year, kids of all ages come out to enjoy thrilling rides that only the bravest are willing to conquer.
ed back for the finals of the competition on Sunday, May 3, 2015. The fastest time in the finals of the event will win the $2,500 prize. Team School Division– A team of four designated individual employees, with at least one being female, from Central Arkansas schools will compete at a specified time. The organization’s team with the fastest time will win $1,000 for their school. Organizations will need to register for this event at Arvest Bank, 2590 North Donaghey, Conway, AR 72032, April 13—May 1, 2015. There is no cost to enter any event and all contestants must be 13 years of
Log cabin file PHOTO
it
4 p.m. Team non—prof5:30 p.m. Media 6 p.m. Team Corporate
Saturday, May 2
11 a.m. Open for film 12 p.m. School Division 2 p.m. Daze Dash Prelims
Sunday, May 3
1 p.m. Open for film 2 p.m. Finals Daze Dash Female 3 p.m. Finals Daze Dash Male For more information, call Lori Melton at 501— 513—4544, visit toadsuckchallenge.com or visit the Toad Suck Challenge Facebook page.
16A — Sunday, April 26, 2015
Toad Suck Daze
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Schedule for Toad Suck Daze announced
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Toad Suck Daze
Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 17A
18A — Sunday, April 26, 2015
Toad Suck Daze
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Toad Suck Daze
Toad Suck Daze scholarship recipients announced Special to the log cabin
The purpose of the Toad Suck Daze Community Service Scholarship is to encourage community service among Faulkner County youth and to provide an opportunity for educational and community growth. Students who plan to attend Central Baptist College, Hendrix College, or the University of Central Arkansas will receive a $3,000 scholarship, and students who plan to attend UACCM will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Congratulations to the 2015 scholarship recipients: • Jackalyn Barton is a senior at Conway High School and will attend Hendrix College in the fall. She is the daughter of Wendy Earnhart. • Stephanie Battles is a senior at Greenbrier High School and will attend Central Baptist College in the fall. She is the daughter of Dale Battles and Amanda Shaw. • Mackenzie Crocker is a senior at Greenbrier High School and will attend Central Baptist College in the fall. She is the daughter of Laura and Tony Crocker. • Kaydra Francis is a senior at Vilonia High School and will attend the University of Central Arkansas in the fall. She is the daughter of Kelly Francis. • Kortni Gifford is a senior at Conway High School and will attend the University of Central Arkansas in the fall. She is the daughter of Richard and Becky Gifford. • Reagan Goode is a senior at Vilonia High School and will attend Central Baptist College in
the fall. She is the daughter of Steve and Christie Goode. • Kailen Hutchens is a senior at Mount Vernon-Enola High School and will attend the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton in the fall. She is the daughter of Rhonda and Michael Bostic. • Michael Long is a senior at Conway High School and will attend the University of Central Arkansas in the fall. He is the son of Randy and Patty Long. • Jacklyn Quinit is a senior at Conway High School and will attend the University of Central Arkansas in the fall. She is the daughter of Francisca Quinit. All scholarships require a minimum of 20 hours of active community service with a nonprofit organization in Faulkner County. Applicants also must complete 12 volunteer hours during the 2015 Toad Suck Daze festival, which will take place May 1-3 in downtown Conway.
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20A — Sunday, April 26, 2015
Toad Suck Daze
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Festival meet and greet with PBS Kids characters Log Cabin Democrat
Toad Suck Daze’s youngest attendees will have a chance to get up close and personal with some of today’s most well-known children’s television characters. PBS Kids charac-
ters “Buddy the Dinosaur from Dinosaur Train, Curious George, and Clifford the Big Red Dog will be available for a meet and greet on Saturday and Sunday at Simon Park. Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m and Sunday from
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the characters will pose for photographs, sign “autographs”, and interact with kids of all ages. AETN staff and volunteers will also be on hand with educational materials and programming.
LIFE’S A BALL
STAFF PHOTO
A woman has fun playing inside a plastic ball floating in a pool of water.
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Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 21A
Toad Suck Daze
Firefighter skills required in Crawl, Drag and Squirt By DAVID MCCOLLUM LOG CABIN STAFF WRITER
Youngsters will get a semi-toadal taste of the life of a firefighter, including getting wet, during the Crawl, Drag and Squirt competition at Toad Suck Daze. The age-graded competition, with separate divisions for boys and girls and grades 1-2 and 3-4, is a timed obstacle course that emphasizes various skills used for firefighters.
The real fun part? There are rubber malletts and hoses involved. In negotiating the course, youngsters put on a coat and pack, crawl through a confined space, pull a sled, smash objects with a rubber mallett, then drag a hose a short distance and squirt at a target. During the competition, they learn about fire safety. The competition gets hopping a few days before Tod Suck Daze
as youngsters qualify through their elementary school. Another preliminary competition will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the Central Fire Station. Finals will begin at May 1 along a roped-off section of Front Street. Each finalist receives a medal and trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division. A traveling trophy is awarded to the elementary school that accumulates the most points in the finals.
log cabin file PHOTO
The Conway Fire Department organizes the Kids Crawl, Drag and Squirt every year during Toad Suck Daze. The event is an obstacle course for elementary students that promotes fire safety. Preliminaries take place Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m. at the Central Fire Station located at the corner of Locust and Oak Streets. The finals will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, on Front Street.
CLUB from 9A able for purchase at the Toad Store. Parents can also order a Kids Club membership online at ToadSuck.org and pick it up at the Toad Store. A fast-pass to the Toad Races means nothing without a toad. As is customary in Faulkner County, elementary-aged students will receive a Toad Toter at their schools prior to the festival. These boxes, which are donated by International Paper and sponsored by the Log Cabin
Democrat, are used to transport toads to Toad Races. A community-wide Toad Round-up, sponsored by Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership, will take place Tuesday, April 28, at Pompe Park on the Tucker Creek Trail. The RoundUp will begin around 5 p.m. and will last until dusk. The 34th annual Toad Suck Daze festival is set for May 1-3 in downtown Conway. For more information about the festival, visit ToadSuck.org.
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About Toad Suck Daze Special to the Log Cabin
Since 1981, the Toad Suck Daze Committee of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has held a fun, family-oriented festival the first weekend in May. This free admission festival held on the streets of downtown Conway, Arkansas has something for the entire family: arts and crafts, ‘Toadal Kids Zone’, a carnival, local and national entertainment, food, rock wall, petting zoo, 5K/10K, golf tournament, magicians, and so much more. Toad Suck Daze is also home to ‘The World
Championship Toad Races’. The festival is run almost exclusively by volunteers from Conway and Faulkner County, including the local police and fire departments. Proceeds of Toad Suck Daze have helped to raised more than $1.4 million in endowed or directly awarded scholarships. More than 220 Faulkner County students have received Toad Suck Daze Scholarships. Since 2012, Toad Suck Daze has awarded more than $100,000 to local early childhood education initiatives.
Toad Suck Daze
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‘GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN’
STAFF PHOTO
Two girls enjoy the car ride at Toad Suck Daze in 2014.
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Toad Suck Daze
Sunday, April 26, 2015 — 23A
Helpful tips to consider before heading to Toad Suck special to the Log Cabin
Pets
No pets (except toads) are allowed on festival grounds as stated in City Ordinance #0-0050. This ordinance is for the safety of festival attendees and their pets, as the festival groups can get very congested in areas. Pets are allowed for the Children’s Pet Show on Friday, May 3. Please leave all pets at home before attending the Toad Suck Daze festival.
ed parking for the Toad Suck Daze festival. However, several businesses do allow the use of their parking lots. Please be aware of no parking and tow away signs and obey all parking signs in the area.
Lost Children
There is a Lost Children’s area at the corner of Front and Oak Street at Toad Square. It is located in the Centennial Bank Safety Zone. Police are available at that location to assist parents and children. All children found Parking by Toad Suck Daze There is no designat- staff members will be
brought to this location. non-refundable. Also, parents can approach any festival staff Entertainment Seating member for help. Seating for the Sonic Main Stage is general Toad Bucks admission. There will Toad Bucks are ac- be a few folding chairs cepted at food vendors, in front of the stage. amusements, drink You are welcome to booths, and t-shirt bring chairs and blanbooths. kets. Toad Bucks may not be used in the Toad Information Booth Market. There are The information seven ticket locations booth is located at Toad throughout the festi- Square. If you have val. Ticket locations are questions about the fesmainly found close to tival, they will be able food booths or amuse- to help you. There are ments. also Information Towers On the festival map throughout the festival these locations are that include the schedmarked with a dollar ule of events and a fessign $. Toad Bucks are tival map. A musician plays the tambourine while preforming.
STAFF PHOTO