SPRINGFIELD -- The 41st Annual Governor's Frog Jump and Egg Strike is only a hop, skip and a jump away. And, this year there will be something new.

According to Eddie Lee, chairman of the Frog Jump Committee, radio personality Rusty T. Fender of Bad Dog Radio stations 95.7 FM and 93.9 FM in Orangeburg will be broadcasting live on Saturday, April 7 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. near the Frog Jump arena. He will have the prize wheel there, giving out prizes during the two-hour show.

Other entertainment, Lee said, will include the Borderline band from Augusta, Ga. at a street dance from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday, April 6, and a street dance featuring the Showman band of Greenville from 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday night, April 7. Both bands will be performing from the platform by the railroad car.

Emcee Bob Bonnett will make announcements throughout the day Saturday on where and when the various activities will be taking place.

Set up in the gazebo next to the museum in the center of town on Saturday, the Garden Club of Springfield will have their famous "Country Store," where they sell all kinds of enticing and delicious baked goods. Also at the gazebo will be Frog Jump tee shirts, hats, books, stickers, and koozies for sale from noon until 6 p.m.

The Frog Jump Beauty Pageant will be held at the Old Springfield High School auditorium at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.

"We brought it back last year after a 13-year absence," committee member Marilyn McCormick noted.

Lydia Lackey is the committee member in charge of preparing the Frog Jump program book.

"This year the grand marshal will be all veterans -- past, present and future. My husband came up with that idea. I just thought it was good," she said.

Lackey said the color guard will have flags representing all branches of the service and POWs. "All gave some and some gave all" is the slogan.

"I have been helping with this Frog Jump since 1994, with one thing or another. It's a fun thing. I just love the Frog Jump," Lackey said.

Springfield resident Bobby Williams is this year's organizer of the Egg Strike. He said the competition will feature two categories, youth and adult. Each contestant starts with six hard-boiled eggs, holding them point up in his or her fist. Contestants go in a circle, striking each other's eggs, until they crack. The holder of the egg left intact is the winner.

There will be a first and second place prize in each category, and the winners in each category will "strike" another egg for the cash prize. First place is $100, and second place is $50. Williams said the cash prizes are new this year, so he expects increased participation.

As in previous years, the Children's Easter egg hunt will be held at the Methodist Church across from Frog Jump arena. The age categories are 2 -3, 4-6 and 7-9, and first, second and third prizes will be awarded in each category.

This year's parade will feature five categories of awards, including best overall, best ride, best car, best float and best Shriners' unit. The best Shriners entry wins $200, which is donated to the Shriners for their children's hospital. Parade entries not pre-registered can register prior to the parade at the ball field by checking with Lois Grant.

Perhaps one of the more "interesting" events at the Frog Jump is the Cow Drop Contest, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 5. According to Marilyn McCormick, a large, square space is divided into a grid, and each section of the grid is assigned a number. As the cows walk around, whatever space they make a "deposit" in is the lucky winner. Tickets are $5 each, and the prizes range from $200 to $1,000.

Lee said no vehicles of any kind are allowed on the grounds where the activities are taking place, and signs will be posted to that effect. He also noted that there will be no town council meeting in Springfield in April due to the festival, but council meetings will resume in May.

For further information about the 41st Annual Governor's Frog Jump and Egg Strike, call Springfield Town Hall at 803-258-3152.

T&D Correspondent Loretta Demko can be reached by e-mail at eeshtenem@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

41st Governor's Frog Jump and Egg Strike

Schedule of Events

Saturday, March 31

4 p.m. -- Frog Jump Beauty Pageant, old Springfield High School

Tuesday, April 3

7 p.m. -- Bingo at Senior Citizens Center, Brodie Street

Thursday, April 5

6 p.m. -- Carnival opens, Frog Jump Park

7:30 p.m. -- Cow Drop Contest, Frog Jump Arena

Friday, April 6

8 p.m. -- Street dance with music by Borderline, Railroad Platform

Saturday, April 7

8 a.m. -- Carnival and the Country Store at the Gazebo open for the day

11 a.m. -- Parade

12:30 p.m. -- Children's Easter Egg Hunt, Methodist Church

1-4 p.m. -- Entertainment, Railroad Platform

1:30 p.m. -- Egg Strike registration, Frog Jump Arena

2 p.m. -- Egg Strike Contest, Frog Jump Arena

2 p.m. -- Frog Jump registration, Frog Jump Arena

3 p.m. -- Frog Jump Contest, Frog Jump Arena

8 p.m. to midnight -- Street dance with music by the Showmen, Railroad Platform

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