The Frog Raynes Supreme
It’s not easy being green, as one famous frog once sang. Apparently, he’s never been to Rayne because, in this town, the frog is king. Murals picturing these happy hoppers playing instruments, sitting on mushrooms or just froggin’ around can be found lining the streets, on walls and in parks all over Rayne giving the town the nickname “Louisiana City of Murals.” The city of about 8,500 people is more famously known as the “Frog Capital of the World” for its long history of promoting the long-legged amphibian as a delicacy all over the country. While the frog exportation business no longer exists as it once did, the celebrations have continued. The Rayne Frog Festival, a 5-day event running from November 9 – 13, is one of the biggest events on the city’s calendar and attracts visitors from near and far.
The festival, which began almost 40 years ago, features entertainment and attractions including musical performances from Cajun and Creole artists and a crafts market made up of as many as 60 booths housed inside the adjoining Civic Center selling everything from ceramics, Afghans, paintings, quilts, novelty items and more. Thrill rides, games and food trailers are set up inside the festival to add to the carnival-like atmosphere. Pageants are a major part of the festival and consist of six different categories: Mr. & Miss Tadpole (ages 0-6); Deb Rayne Frog Festival Queen (ages 7-9); Rayne Frog Festival Jr. Queen (ages 10-12); Rayne Frog Festival Teen Queen (ages 13-16); Rayne Frog Festival Miss Queen (ages 17-23); and Rayne Frog Festival Ms. Queen Pageant (ages 24 and older).
While these events draw crowds, nothing gets the spectators going like the dressed up derby. The Rayne Lions Club Frog Derby pits female “frog jockeys” outfitted in checkered blouses with matching caps and shorts with suspenders, and their tenacious toads donning their festival best against other hopeful teams in a “best dressed frog” contest. Racing and jumping competitions follow the fashion show to determine the big winner. For something a bit more dressed down, the crowd can take in the diaper derby featuring competitively crawling babies. Here’s the catch: Any racer who stands up mid-race will be disqualified!
Rayne resident Lyn Guidry has been attending the Frog Festival for years. She, along with her husband Ken, owns the Maison D'Memoire B&B Cottages, (www.BnBFinder.com/MaisonDMemoire), an intimate and tranquil getaway in the heart of Cajun country made up of four separate and uniquely decorated cottages that date back more than a century. Lyn says she hosts guests who stay at the inn specifically to attend the Frog Festival and has had bookings for the festival for months. She’s happy they’re making their way to Rayne, not only for the inn but also for the city itself. “The festival is important to the community,” says Lyn. “It’s a key fundraiser for many of the organizations in town and they raise a lot of money at this time.” Now there’s something to croak about.
Mary White is the author of “Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies” and an avid B&B goer. She has stayed at bed and breakfasts all over the world and particularly loves the inns of Louisiana. In 1998, Mary founded BnBFinder.com, a top on-line bed and breakfast directory that lists thousands of B&Bs, inns, and boutique hotels worldwide.
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