ABOUT TOAD SUCK DAZE

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Since 1982, the Toad Suck Daze festival has been a springtime tradition in the Conway, Arkansas, area. It began on the banks of the Arkansas River in a nearby township named “Toad Suck” before moving to its current location in downtown Conway 30 years ago.

Each year during the first weekend in May, more than 100,000 people gather in the streets of downtown Conway for Toad Suck Daze. The free-admission, family festival has something for all ages: local and national musical entertainment, retail vendors and arts and crafts booths, carnival rides, children’s activities, and of course, the World Championship Toad Races starring our amphibious friends. Several festival-sanctioned events sponsored by local nonprofit organizations take place throughout the weekend as well, including a 10K/5K race and the Tour de Toad bicycle race.

Perhaps what is most significant about the weirdly named festival is its commitment to education and community initiatives. In 1985, Toad Suck Daze awarded its first college scholarship. Since then, the festival has contributed almost $2.3 million to education initiatives. This includes funding for scholarships, preschool education, PSAT Testing, Field Trips, Arts Education, STEAM nights, and more. Additionally, Toad Suck Daze has funded almost $400,000 to downtown Conway beautification and other community development projects in downtown such as murals and parks.

LEGEND OF TOAD SUCK DAZE

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 and Dam now spans the river. While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern there, to the dismay of the folks living nearby, who said: “They suck on the bottle ’til they swell up like toads.” Hence, the name Toad Suck. The tavern is long gone, but the legend and fun live on at Toad Suck Daze.

FESTIVAL LEADERSHIP

Toad Suck Daze is a committee of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. It takes many heads and hands to make the festival a reality every year, and it would be utterly impossible without the hard work and diligence of multiple volunteers and organizations. More than 50 amazing individuals volunteer their time, and multiple City of Conway departments work throughout the year to make Toad Suck Daze the state’s most recognized festival. Additionally, there are 150+ individuals that work as volunteers during the festival weekend.

CONTACT US

Toad Suck Daze, Inc.

Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
900 Oak Street
Conway, Arkansas 72032

501.327.7788
ToadSuck@ConwayArkansas.org