Sponsored by the Hannibal, Missouri, Jaycees, the National Tom Sawyer Days celebration began in 1956 with a Tom Sawyer Fence Painting Contest and a Tom and Becky competition. Three years later, all of the events relating to the character were combined with the traditional Fourth of July celebration in Hannibal, and Independence Day was officially proclaimed “Tom Sawyer Day.” Today the festival spans five days and includes a number of unique competitions. The Frog Jump Competition is one of the festival’s highlights, drawing up to 300 children and their pet frogs. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary