Despite weather, Frogs and Hogs proves draw

Hundreds come out for bike show, to support vets at annual festival

A line of bikes sits outside of the Amvets Post 153 building in Mokane for the eighth annual Frogs and Hogs Festival and recruitment drive. All proceeds from the event, which includes barbecue pulled pork and fried frog legs, will go on to benefit mid-Missouri veterans.
A line of bikes sits outside of the Amvets Post 153 building in Mokane for the eighth annual Frogs and Hogs Festival and recruitment drive. All proceeds from the event, which includes barbecue pulled pork and fried frog legs, will go on to benefit mid-Missouri veterans.

Heat and high water couldn't keep motorcycle and classic car enthusiasts, frog leg connoisseurs and supporters of U.S. troops from turning out in droves for the eighth annual Frogs and Hogs Festival.

The Amvets and Sons of Amvets Post No. 153's annual motorcycle rally and benefit drive saw more than 400 riders and visitors at its kickoff Friday, with an even larger crowd beginning to form under the Amvets pavilion even before heavy rainfalls tapered off late Saturday morning.

"Last night had a very good turnout for as hot as it was, and today will be even bigger," event organizer and Sons of Amvets commander Billy Spencer said Saturday morning from the Amvets deck overlooking the crowd and bike show.

Spencer helped start the event eight years ago after Post 153 had grown enough to begin seeking other ways to support veterans in central Missouri. He said they eventually came up with Frogs and Hogs because "lots of motorcycle riders really support the troops."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.