BRASHER - There are many ways to try to win a frog jump competition.

“It was hard. I wanted to blow on it so I could try to get air on it and get it moving,” said Andrew S. Lantry, 12, of Brasher.

Saturday’s frog jump competition was held in the Tri-Town Arena as one of many events in the 13th Annual Tri-Town Festival.

The frogs, caught by the contestants (or their parents) started in the middle of a large circle, their keepers urging them on by almost any means necessary. The child whose frog was the fastest to leave the circle went home with a blue ribbon. Sometimes the contest would be put on hold long enough to stop an amphibian’s attempted escape.

Richard S. Seidel, Winthrop, has been judging the contest for three years, and during that time has only seen one frog casualty.

“Kids have a good time, that’s what this is for,” he said.

“I just keep jumping,” said Sean M. Hornung, 10, Brasher who hoped stomping the ground would spur his slimy entrant to leap to victory.

Sometimes, a more flexible approach is needed.

“I just wing it,” said Kathleen E. Bellinger, 10, Brasher.

The festival was themed around the Olympic Games, which were celebrated during Saturday’s parade with floats based on different countries. American flags along the parade route were temporarily replaced with flags from many other nations.

On Friday, student athletes celebrated the Olympics by holding a torch relay. They began in their respective hometowns: Brasher, Stockholm and Lawrence, and the teams travelled six miles each to the midpoint, where they started the fireworks display.

“So far people are really liking the Olympic theme,” said festival organizer Jodi A. White.

She said the festival may adopt a similar theme every four years.

The weekend was packed with activities for both adults and children. On Friday, attendees could show off their artistic flair in the Sidewalk Art Competition, strap on a helmet for a forest bike ride, or watch feats of athletic prowess at the two-man decathlon.

Saturday started with a 5K run to benefit local children’s charities. Other highlights included an obstacle course designed for children with disabilities, a carnival, wine tastings and eating competitions.

The festival continues Sunday, although a planned fishing derby has been cancelled because of low water levels.

The St. Lawrence Central School alumni lacrosse game will be held at the school at 1 p.m., along with a chicken barbecue and lawn mower races at the same time in North Lawrence Park.

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