ATTENTION, SCHOLARS
Update:
Toad Suck is the name for a ford on the Arkansas River, near where Hendrix is located. In the olden days, steamboats and barges on the river sometimes had to stop there to wait if the river was running low. The crews would tie up their boats, and while waiting, they visited the tavern. The local citizenry, displeased by the sometimes unsavory crowd, were fond of saying "they suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Thus, the name Toad Suck stuck.
--Corinne Marasco
That's their story, and they're sticking to it.
Oh..I thought you meant toe suck. Nevermind...
Posted by: Siouxie | January 26, 2009 at 11:51 AM
The front page said there was one comment here. I don't see it. Maybe after I submit this....
Posted by: oneblankspace | January 26, 2009 at 11:56 AM
I have a friend who lived in Arkansas for a while. Whenever he was traveling in the state and passed the exit sign for Toad Suck Park, he'd call me to let me know he'd just passed the exit sign for Toad Suck Park. It was comforting, in a way.
Posted by: funniegrrl | January 26, 2009 at 11:56 AM
But when IS Toad Suck Daze? I'll be in the general area in May and would be happy to be a Blog reporter.
Posted by: NotSoShyJan | January 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM
*thinks he's come up with a different name*
"Other criteria applicants must meet to be eligible include being a high school graduating senior in Faulkner County, having a GPA of 2.5 of higher, .."
Guess this reporter doesn't qualify.... Isn't 2.5 like a C+? Just a little above average?
Posted by: Kibby F5™ | January 26, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Is there a Talk like a Toad Day?
Posted by: Cheesewiz | January 26, 2009 at 11:59 AM
"They do service in other areas of the community and then they do Toad Suck hours so they can become aware of the festival and see how the community comes together to help them."
Hours? Ewww.
Posted by: Danny | January 26, 2009 at 12:01 PM
"these usually high school seniors" . .
in a Toad Suck Daze.
Posted by: NotSherly | January 26, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Arkansas. Figures. Probably part of the Bill Clinton "(insert your word here) Suck" campaign.
Posted by: Jollymon | January 26, 2009 at 12:05 PM
I only qualified for a Tadpole Lick Scholarship.
Posted by: Punkin | January 26, 2009 at 12:08 PM
pass
Posted by: crossgirl | January 26, 2009 at 12:36 PM
"Conway is such an education community with the colleges and the university that giving scholarships is just a good fit and we really love providing them," Satterfield said.
Perhaps one brave soul could use their scholarship to become an English teacher.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | January 26, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Poor crossgirl. This is probably bringing back horrible memories for you.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | January 26, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Annie...My theory is that Sarah Palin has relocated to Arkansas and gone into journalism, also, too.
Posted by: Betsy | January 26, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Why have I never heard of this festival until now? I blame society.
Posted by: MrToad | January 26, 2009 at 01:25 PM
Big snork @ Betsy!
Posted by: Guin | January 26, 2009 at 01:46 PM
from Wikipedia:The legend behind Toad Suck is that long ago, steamboats traveled the Arkansas River when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn't, the captains and their crew tied up to wait where the Toad Suck Lock & Dam now spans the river near Conway. While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern. The dismayed folks living nearby were heard to say: "They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Hence, the name Toad Suck. The tavern is long gone, but the legend lives on at Toad Suck Daze.
Yet again, alcohol was involved. And I'm sure their love lives were simply stellar.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | January 26, 2009 at 01:59 PM
Siouxie, your personal Toe Suck Scholarship application is enclosed. The personal interview is scheduled for... *S*
Posted by: Allen at Division | January 26, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Thanks, Allen. I'll be sure to put on my strappy shoes.
Posted by: Siouxie | January 26, 2009 at 03:34 PM
THEM TOAD SUCKERS,
by Mason Williams c. 1968
How about Them Toad Suckers,
Ain’t they clods?
Sittin’ there suckin’
Them green Toady-frogs.
Suckin’ them hop-toads,
Suckin’ them chunkers,
Suckin’ them leapy-types,
Suckin’ them plunkers.
Look at Them Toad Suckers,
Ain’t they snappy?
Suckin’ them bog-frogs
Sure makes ‘em happy.
Them huggermugger Toad Suckers,
Way down south,
Stickin’ them sucky-toads
In they mouth.
How to be a Toad Sucker?
No way to duck it.
Gittchyseff a toad,
Rare back and suck it!
---------------
Toads of the genus Bufo produce a toxin called bufotenine that may have a hallucinogenic effect. Hippies of the late 1960s and beyond who couldn’t score a lid and couldn’t find any ‘shrooms turned to toad licking to keep on trippin’. The toxicology is a bit convoluted. Some scientists say that bufotenine is not hallucinogenic, but others are not so sure.
The toad has figured prominently in ancient mythologies, medicines and shamanic uses. It is known from the Aztecs and Olmecs as far back as 2,000 B.C., and these peoples documented that the toads were consumed for hallucinogenic purposes.
Then there are the Feds. According to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), bufotenine is a controlled substance and a Schedule 1 hallucinogen. If you can’t trust your government, whom can you trust?
Posted by: Tommer Peterson | January 26, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Skink would be drooling...
Posted by: Siouxie | January 26, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Ok, you lost me. But that's ok. I'm not real sure where you're going. And after that song, I need to sit down.
Posted by: Annie Where-but-here | January 26, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Tommer Peterson: first thing I thought when I saw this thread was "How 'bout them toad suckers". Then I did a "find" on suckers and realized that I didn't have to find a link to Mason Williams - you had it covered. Good job.
Posted by: Lofti | January 27, 2009 at 01:25 AM