By Lisa SoileauxAssistant Editor

Frogs were hopping and so were their handlers as the annual Frog Jumping and Racing Contest took center stage around high noon during the 2013 Annual Rayne Frog Festival.

Over 100 entries were recorded for the event, including everyone from toddlers to the young at heart, and from Rayne to the points around the world. To participate, participants had the option of “frog racing” or “frog jumping.” A small rental fee is paid to the Rayne Jaycees, who again co-sponsored the annual event with the Rayne Acadian-Tribune. All frogs must be named in order to participate.

On stage, when the call of "Ils Son-te Parti" was sounded, the frogs were off and hopping, jumping and leaping, hopefully toward the finish line -- but you never know! When seated in the front row, many received a “hopping” surprise.

Serving as emcee of the 2013 con-test was former Frog Festival Coor-dinator Cheryl Richard, assisted by members of the Rayne Jaycees and staff of the Rayne Acadian-Tribune.

2013 Children and Adult Contests winners were:

Children's Jumping: 1st place Camree Torsyth with her frog Sara and a distance of 86 inches; 2nd place Lane Boudreaux with Winnie jumping a distance of 85 inches; and

3rd place Makenize Spallino with her frog Moo Cow jumping 84 inches.

Children's Racing: 1st place Jan-ci Aube with her frog Queen J; 2nd place Juve Evans with Hoppy; and 3rd place Alexis Thibodeaux with Billy Bob.

Adult Jumping: 1st place Aimee Graham with her frog Leggs jumping

108 inches; 2nd place Victoria Sagre-ra with her frog “Mooo Lissa” jump-ing 84 inches; and 3rd place Lillian Byrne with her frog Baby I jumping a total of 67 inches.

Adult Racing: 1st place Taylor Slo-ey with her frog Erikishot.com; 2nd place Tammy Price with Genevieve; and 3rd place Tom Byrne with Bab II.

FROG RACING WINNERS Saturday, Nov. 9, in the children’s division during the 2013 Frog Festival were, in front from left, Janci Aube, first place with her frog Queen J; Juve Evans, second place with Hoppy; and Alexis Thibodeaux, third place with Billy Bob. The winners were joined by Jaycees Brian Petitjean, Jay Bell, Skyler Cahanin and Robert Pellissier, who cosponsor the event with The Rayne Acadian-Tribune.(Acadian-Tribune Photo by Paul Kedinger)

ADULT FROG RACING winners Saturday, Nov. 9, during the 2013 Frog Festival were, in front from left, Taylor Sloey, first place with her frog Erikishot.com; Tammy Price, second place with Genevieve; and Tom Byrne, third place with Bab II. Also pictured, in back from left, are Brian Petitjean, Jay Bell, Skyler Cahanin and Robert Pellissier, who cosponsor the event with The Rayne Acadian-Tribune.(Acadian-Tribune Photo by Paul Kedinger)

FROG JUMPING WINNERS in the adult division during the 2013 Frog Festival included, front from left, Aimee Graham, first with her frog Leggs jumping 108 inches; Victoria Sagrera, second with her frog “Mooo Lissa” jumping 84 inches; and Lillian Byrne, third with her frog Baby I jumping a total of 67 inches. Repre-senting the co-sponsoring Jaycees in back from left are Brian Petitjean, Jay Bell, Robert Pellissier and Skyler Cahanin. The Rayne Acadian-Tribune co-sponsors the event.(Acadian-Tribune Photo by Paul Kedinger)

FROG JUMPING WINNERS in the children’s division during the 2013 Frog Festi-val included, in front from lleft, Camree Torsyth (standing in was Kristin Petitjean), first with her frog Sara and a distance of 86 inches; Lane Boudreaux, second with Winnie jumping a distance of 85 inches; and Makenize Spallino, with her frog Moo Cow jumping 84 inches. Representing the co-sponsoring Jaycees in back from left are Brian Petitjean, Jay Bell, Robert Pellissier and Skyler Cahanin. The Rayne Acadian-Tribune co-sponsors the event.(Acadian-Tribune Photo by Paul Kedinger)

Frog Festival Highlights THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 www.acadiaparishtoday.com Page 1B

Visitors enjoy ‘Hoppin’ Good Time’ at FrogFROG FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTED ON PROGRAM - The 2013 Rayne Frog Festival was again highlighted during Good Morning Acadiana, TV-3, jump-starting the long list of festival events. Complete with TV-3 personalities Tracy Wirtz and Dave Baker and musican Richard LeBouef, everyone enjoyed delicious food, musical entertainment, and a mini-Frog Derby. (Acadian-Tribune Photo by Josie Henry)

By Lisa SoileauxAssistant Editor

Babies were crawling towards the finish line and cheering sections were cheering on their fa-vorites during the Annual Diaper Derby held Sat-urday morning of the 2013 Frog Festival spon-sored every year by the Rayne Jaycees.

Named Diaper Power winner was Myla Hanks, 8-month-old daughter of Mariel Meche of Rayne.

First runner-up was Channing Dupuis, 10-month old son of Phillip Dupuis and Catherine Nero of Rayne.

Named second runner-up was Kayleigh Sarv-er, 10-month-old daughter of Amber Sarver abd Blake Bourque of Kaplan.

Chairing the 2013 event were Jaycee members Angela LeBlanc and Kathy Cahanin.

Assisting with presentations were a number of Rayne royalty, who also served as judges at the finish line.

Taking part in the awards were the reigning Little Smoked Meat Queen Paiten Meyer and Little Mr. Tadpole Joseph Meyer.

Myla took her place on the Jaycee float, in ad-dition to the Tadpole royalty during the Frog Fes-tival Parade held Saturday afternoon.

2013 DIAPER DERBY WINNER - The Rayne Jaycees once again hosted the annual Frog Festival Diaper Derby held Saturday morning of the 2013 Rayne Frog Festival. The top racers and guests were, front row, from left, Little Miss Smokemeat Queen Paiten Meyer and Little Mr. Tadpole Joseph Meyer; back row, co-chairman Kathy Cahanin, 1st Runner-Up Channing Dupuis held by his father Phillip Dupuis, Diaper Power Myla Hanks held by her mother Mariel Meche, 2nd Runner-Up Kayleigh Sarver held by her mother Amber Sarver, and co-chairman Angela LeBlanc. (Acadian-Tribune Photo by Josie Henry)

Rayne Jaycees host 2013 Annual Diaper Derby

Frog Festival Highlights Page 2B www.acadiaparishtoday.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

By Lisa SoileauxAssistant Editor

Tradition continued Saturday morning of the 2013 Rayne Frog Festival as Victoria Blaise Richard was crowned Frog Derby Queen, the long-time event held for many years by the Rayne Lions Club. Interviews and judging were held Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Rayne Chamber of Commerce Office.

Victoria is the 15-year-old daugh-ter of Sean and Holly Richard of Rayne. She is a student at Rayne High

School and her frog for the contest was “ESPN the Fantastic Frog.”

Making the pre-sentations were last year’s honoree, Mia Guidry, and Lions Club Chairman Tim Lyons.

Introduced as the 2013 Frog Jockey Queen was Cailey Morgan, 16-year-old daughter of Julie and Brad Lopez and Cy and Carey Morgan and a Rayne High student whose frog entry was “Peacock Jacque.”

Named first maid by the judges was Whitney Fontenot, 16-year-old daughter of Scott and

Mona Fontenot and Rayne High junior. Her frog’s name for the com-petition was “Layla.”

Second Maid honors were bestowed upon Madison Vidal, 16-year-old daughter of Grady Arceneaux and Lance Arceneaux and a junior at Rayne High School. Her frog entry for the contest was “Senor Frog” who was awarded the longest jump during the contest.

Voted Miss Congeniality by the con-testants was Brittney LaCroix, 14-year-old daughter of Denis and Shawn LaCroix and

a freshman at Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish. Her frog entry for the contest was “Frogger Swift.”

McKenzie Meche’s frog entry, “Uncle Si,” was awarded the Best Dressed frog the con-test. McKenzie is the 16-year-old daughter of Craig and Jamie Meche.

Assisting Chairman Lyons for the contest were fellow Lions John Jude Beslin, Michael Guidry, Roy Credeur and Craig Houston.

Also assisting with the program was emcee Cheryl Richard, along with a number of past

Frog Derby title holders who served as judges for the “hopping” portion of the program.

The Annual Frog Derby has been spon-sored by the Rayne Lions Club since 1946

when it began at the International Rice Festival in Crowley. It is still presented at the Rice festival, in addition to the Rayne contest held since 1973 at the Annual Frog Festival.

NEW FROG DERBY COURT NAMED - The Rayne Lions Club again hosted the annual Frog Derby Saturday of the 2013 Rayne Frog Festival. Named to the new court were, front row, from left, McKenzie Meche, best costume; 1st Maid Whitney Fontenot, 2012 honoree Mia Guidry, new 2013 Frog Derby Queen Victoria Richard, new 2013 Frog Jockey Queen Cailey Morgan, 2nd Maid Madison Vidal, Miss Congeniality Brittany LaCroix; back row, Lions Michael Guidry, Roy Credeur, Chairman Tim Lyons, John Jude Beslin and Craig Houston. (Acadian-Tribune Photo by Josie Henry)

2013 Frog Derby Queen crowned, tradition continuesVictoria Blaise Richard named new Frog Derby Queen

FROG DERBY QUEEN - Victoria Richard is crowned the 2013 Frog Derby Queen by last year’s honoree, Mia Guidry, during the annual Frog Derby held at the 41st Annual Rayne Frog Festival. The Rayne Lions Clu Frog Derby has been held since 1946 when it began at the International Rice Festival in Crowley. (Acadian-Tribune Photo by Josie Henry)

Opening ceremonies to 41st Rayne Frog Festival

2013 FROG FESTIVAL ROYALTY - Taking part in Friday morning’s live remote KATC-TV3’s “Good Morning Acadiana” at the Frog Festival grounds prior to the start of the 41st Annual Frog Festival were the following royal “subjects” from left, 2013 Miss Rayne Kaitlyn Thibodeaux, 2012 Frog Derby Queen Mia Guidry, Frog Festival Ms. Queen Haley Willis, 2013 Miss Tadpole Riley Dugas, Mayor Roland Boudreaux, 2013 Frog Jockey Queen Cailey Morgan, 2013 Deb Queen Janci Aube, 2013 Grand Marshal Brian Mouton, 2013 Frog Festival Queen Ashlee Guilbeau, 2013 Teen Frog Festival Queen Caroline Bergeron, 2013 Jr. Frog Festival Queen Payton Broussard, and Golden Frog Festival King and Queen Burgundy and Al Olivier. (Acadian-Tribune Photo by Josie Henry)

LOVES HER FROG - Little 2-year-old Ava Bihm gives her frog a peck on the cheek following her race during the annual 2013 Frog Racing and Jumping Contest co-hosted every Frog Festival by the Rayne Jaycees and the Rayne Acadian-Tribune. (Acadian-Tribune Photo by Lisa Soileaux)

ARTS AND CRAFTS - Members of the Rayne Beautification Board again hosted the Arts and Crafts Show at the Rayne Civic Center during the 2013 Annual Frog Festival. (Acadian-Tribune Photo by Lisa Soileaux)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 www.acadiaparishtoday.com Page 3B

Frog Festival Highlights

Members of the Rayne City Council, along with their families, took part in the 2013 Frog Festival Grand Parade as they tossed goodies to the large crowd found along the parade route.

2013 Frog Festival Parade highlights, one of largest ever recorded

Frog Festival Golden King and Queen Al and Burgundy Olivier prepare to toss parade beads.

The Rayne High School Marching Band.

The reigning 2013-14 Deb Queen Alanna Plummer represented the Ebonite Civic and Social Club during the 2013 Rayne Frog Festival Grand Parade held Saturday afternoon during the 41st Frog Festival.

Photos byLisa Soileaux

andJosie Henry

2013-14 Miss Rayne Kaitlyn Thibodeaux

Taking his honored place as leading the 2013 Frog Festival Grand Parade was this year’s grand marshal, Brian Mouton.

A new attraction for the 2013 Frog Festival Parade was the Percheron Horses, one of many horse entries included in Saturday’s grand parade.

Riding the traditional Shriner mini-bike was Brian Petitjean.

Mire Elementary School Marching Band.

2013 Frog Festival Chairman Jimmy Prevost and his wife, Aileen.

Mire Cub Scouts take part in Frog Festiva Parade.

Rayne queens take their prominent place in the 2013 Frog Festival Parade.

Frog Festival Highlights Page 4B www.acadiaparishtoday.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

KATC TV-3 got in on the frog jumping fun Friday morning during the annual Good Morning Acadiana spotlight of the Frog Festival during a live remote at the Frog Festival grounds.

Rayne Rotary members hosted the inaugural “Block Party” at City Hall pro-viding refreshments for all.

Local royalty take their place in Saturday’s Frog Festival Grand Parade held along North Adams Ave. and The Boulevard, one of many entires of the hour-long parade.

This Central Rayne Kindergarten student Ayanna LeBlanc receives a special kiss from a frog dur-ing the annual frog visits provided for the local schools Friday of the annual Frog Festival by the Rayne Lions Club.

Taking part in the “Meet Your Neighbor” noon program on KLFY TV-10 speaking of the 41st Annual Frog Festival were, from left, Grand Marshal Brian Mouton, Frog Festival Queen Ashlee Guilbeau, Deb Frog Queen Janci Aube, committee member Fran Bihm, Chairman Jimmy Prevost, and host Gary Arnold.

Joining local musician/entertainer Jamie Bergeron prior to his show during the 2013 Frog Festival were the following Frog Festival beauties, from left, Deb Queen Janci Aube, Ms. Queen Haley Willis, Miss Queen Ashlee Guilbeau, Miss Tadpole Riley Dugas and Jr. Queen Payton Broussard.

Little Jude Gagliano says duck pulling is fun, and you get a prize too.

Overview of Frog Festival Pavilion and booths of the 47th Annual Rayne Frog Festival from atop the rides.

Thanks to everyone for anothersuccessful Rayne Frog Festival !