Toad Suck Daze: Arkansas's Quirky Festival with Heart

For more than four decades, the first weekend in May always means Toad Suck Daze to Conway, Arkansas! Celebrating its 43rd year in 2025, Toad Suck Daze will once again transform downtown Conway into a bustling hub of entertainment, food, crafts, and of course, competitive toad racing from May 2-4.

This free-admission, family-friendly festival draws over 100,000 visitors annually, making it one of Arkansas’s largest community celebrations. But beyond the quirky name and amphibian athletes lies a festival with a serious purpose: supporting education and community development in Conway and the surrounding area.

The History Behind the Name

Newcomers inevitably ask the same question: “What in the world is a ‘Toad Suck’?” The festival’s unusual name comes from its original location along the Arkansas River in a small area known as Toad Suck. Local legend has it that the name originated in the 1800s when riverboat sailors would stop at the local tavern and “suck on the bottle until they swelled up like toads.”

While the festival began on the riverbanks in 1982, it relocated to downtown Conway 30 years ago, where it has continued to grow. Today, the festival occupies several blocks of Conway’s charming downtown district, allowing businesses and the community to benefit from the influx of visitors.

Education: The Heart of the Festival

What truly sets Toad Suck Daze apart from other spring festivals is its commitment to education. Since awarding its first college scholarship in 1985, the festival has contributed nearly $2.2 million to scholarships, scholarship endowments, preschool funding, and various educational initiatives throughout the community.

This philanthropic focus has become central to the festival’s identity and purpose. In addition to supporting education, the festival has donated more than $215,000 since 2011 toward beautification and community development projects in downtown Conway, helping revitalize and maintain the very area where festivalgoers gather.

World Championship Toad Races

No discussion of Toad Suck Daze would be complete without highlighting its signature event: the World Championship Toad Races. Held at the Centennial Bank Toad Dome, these races attract spectators of all ages who cheer on amphibian competitors as they hop toward glory.

Throughout the weekend, preliminary races determine which toads will advance to Sunday’s championship round. The races follow a simple format: toads are placed in the center of a circular arena and must race to cross the outer ring. The first toad to hop beyond the boundary wins the heat.

Children and adults alike can register to “sponsor” a toad for the races, though no actual toads are harmed or mistreated during the competition. Festival officials ensure the comfort and safety of all amphibian participants, who are collected before the festival and released afterward.

The culmination comes Sunday afternoon with the Championship Toad Races, where the fastest hoppers compete for the title of World Champion. The event draws large crowds and creates a festive atmosphere with announcers calling the action as if it were the Kentucky Derby.

Entertainment for All Ages

Toad Suck Daze 2025 will feature an impressive lineup of musical performances across three days on the Simmons Bank Main Stage in Simon Park. Friday night’s headliner is country artist Travis Denning, known for his hits “After a Few” and “David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs.” Leading up to Denning’s performance, festivalgoers can enjoy sets from Townsend, Sofie and the New Relics, and Kashus Culpepper.

Saturday’s musical schedule builds throughout the day, culminating in a special event called “Troubadours at Toad Suck” featuring Nashville songwriters Josh Philips, Emily Shakleton, and Adam Hambrick sharing the stories behind their hit songs in an intimate performance setting.

Sunday’s entertainment takes on a more spiritual tone, beginning with a Community Worship Service in the morning followed by Christian artist Ryan Stevenson in the afternoon. This diverse musical lineup ensures there’s something for everyone’s taste throughout the weekend.

Beyond the main stage, four distinct children’s areas offer family-friendly entertainment:

Caldwell Toyota/Turbare Manufacturing Toadal Kids Zone: Features performances by school choirs, dance troupes, bubble shows, a petting zoo, and craft activities.
Acxiom Tinkerfest: Provides hands-on science activities and demonstrations from the Museum of Discovery, including their popular “Awesome Science Show.”
Toadally Outdoors: Offers nature-based activities, inflatable archery, a BB gun range, and opportunities to meet animals from the Little Rock Zoo.
Centennial Bank Toad Dome: Home to the festival’s famous toad races, including special events like the Baby Crawl and Jump for Education Race.

Food, Shopping, and More

Like any great festival, Toad Suck Daze offers plenty of opportunities to eat and shop. Three food concession areas feature more than 30 vendors selling everything from traditional fair foods like funnel cakes and corn dogs to more sophisticated culinary offerings.

The Toad Market hosts over 100 vendors selling a wide variety of commercial products and handmade arts and crafts. Festivalgoers can browse children’s clothing, t-shirts, home décor, wooden toys, jewelry, and much more. The festival’s official Toad Store sells branded merchandise, with t-shirts being particularly popular souvenirs.

For those seeking thrills, a carnival midway offers rides and games throughout the weekend. The carnival stays open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, allowing visitors to experience the lights and excitement after dark.

Athletic Events and Competitions

Toad Suck Daze incorporates several athletic events that complement the festival atmosphere while raising money for worthy causes:

The Toad Suck 10K/5K Run, organized by the Conway Kiwanis Club since 1982, includes wheelchair events, a Tadpole Trot for children aged 4-10, and a Hero Hopper race for children with special needs. Over its history, this run has generated more than $450,000 for local non-profits.

For cycling enthusiasts, Tour de Toad offers 10-mile, 20-mile, and 40-mile routes beginning at Conway Municipal Airport. Participants who complete both the Toad Suck Run and Tour de Toad earn a special “Iron Toad Award.” Proceeds benefit Literacy Action of Central Arkansas.

One of the most unusual and entertaining competitions is the Fire Truck Pull, where teams of ten compete in a tug-of-war against a 55,000-pound fire truck. The team with the fastest pull time wins, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics of Arkansas.

Community Involvement

What makes Toad Suck Daze special is the extensive community involvement. Local businesses, schools, and organizations all play important roles in making the festival a success. School choirs perform throughout the weekend, nonprofit organizations sponsor and run various events, and local authorities ensure everything runs smoothly.

The festival also includes a pageant with divisions ranging from “Itty Bitty Baby Miss Daze” (0-6 months) to “Mrs. Daze” (married women over 21). Local businesses participate in the “Where are Croaker and Dazey” contest, hiding images of the festival mascots in their windows and offering gift card prizes to shoppers who find them.

Car enthusiasts can enjoy the Toad Suck Car Club’s Car Show on Saturday, featuring vehicles from the early 1900s to present-day models competing for awards like Best of Show, Best Engine, and Best Paint.

Planning Your Visit

For those planning to attend Toad Suck Daze 2025, here are some practical tips:

Admission: The festival is completely free to enter, though some activities like carnival rides, food, and merchandise have associated costs.
Parking: Downtown parking can be limited during the festival. Arrive early for the best spots, or use designated festival parking areas.
Accommodations: Conway offers several hotels, but they fill quickly during festival weekend. Make reservations well in advance.
Weather: Early May in Arkansas can be unpredictable. Check the forecast and dress accordingly, potentially bringing both sunscreen and rain gear.
Schedule: The festival runs from Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4, with activities generally beginning around 10 a.m. each day. Friday and Saturday events continue until 10 p.m., while Sunday’s activities conclude at 5 p.m.

The True Spirit of Toad Suck Daze

While the quirky name and toad races might initially draw attention, the true spirit of Toad Suck Daze lies in its commitment to community and education. What began as a small riverside festival has evolved into a major regional event that provides scholarships, supports downtown development, and creates lasting memories for multiple generations of families.

Conway Chamber of Commerce officials often note that the festival represents the best of their community: a blend of fun, philanthropy, and civic pride. Local businesses see increased traffic, nonprofits raise funds for their causes, and visitors experience the warm hospitality of this central Arkansas city.

As the 2025 festival approaches, volunteers are already hard at work ensuring this year’s Toad Suck Daze continues the tradition of excellence established over more than four decades. From the first performances on Friday afternoon to the championship toad races on Sunday, the weekend promises something for everyone.

2025 Festival Highlights

For those planning their festival experience, here are some daily highlights to consider:

Friday, May 2

Concessions and children’s areas open at 11 a.m.
Kid’s Crawl Drag and Squirt at Central Fire Station (5 p.m.)
Townsend performs on the main stage (5 p.m.)
Travis Denning headlines (8:45 p.m.)

Saturday, May 3

Toad Suck 10K/5K Run (8 a.m.)
Full festival opens at 10 a.m.
Car Show on Front Street (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Fire Truck Pull (2 p.m.)
Troubadours at Toad Suck featuring Nashville songwriters (8:45 p.m.)

Sunday, May 4

Community Worship Service (10 a.m.)
Ryan Stevenson performs (1 p.m.)
Championship Toad Races (3 p.m.)
Festival closes at 5 p.m.

Conclusion

Toad Suck Daze embodies the unique character of Conway, Arkansas—a community that embraces its quirky name while channeling that recognition into meaningful support for education and development. As one of the state’s largest and most distinctive festivals, it continues to attract visitors from across the region who come for the unusual name but return year after year for the genuine hospitality, family-friendly atmosphere, and community spirit.

Whether you’re watching amphibians race to glory, enjoying national musical acts, browsing handmade crafts, or simply savoring fair food with friends and family, Toad Suck Daze offers a spring tradition unlike any other. The 2025 festival promises to continue this tradition of fun, philanthropy, and community celebration—all centered around a name unusual enough to make visitors curious and a mission important enough to make them care.

For more information, check out ToadSuck.org.