MOKANE, Mo. - Like moths to the flame, the annual frog leg fest in Mokane packs in visitors every July to this small town.
This year marks the 12th annual Sons of AMVETS Frogs and Hogs event, scheduled Friday and Saturday.
Why all the ruckus?
"Eating frog legs and pork tenderloins," said Don Dettmann, senior officer of AMVETS Post 153. "It's kind of our gold event for the AMVETS. This is our revenue-generating activity so we can support our local veterans as needed."
The event's official location is the post at 308 Broad St. But with hundreds of motorcycles - the "hogs" part of the festival's title - and thousands of visitors, pretty much all of Mokane is involved.
"We expect between 300-600 motorcycles, and 2,000-3,000 people - and they come from all over Missouri," Dettmann said. "If you want to come out and camp, we have primitive camping, free of charge."
Activities kick off about noon Friday and end about midnight Saturday, with clean-up Sunday. Frog legs and tenderloins will be offered both evenings.
"We are also going to dedicate our memorial wall, and we will have a color guard there," Dettmann said.
Friday also includes a Miss Frog Legs contest and vendors, with live bands providing entertainment.
Saturday includes a car show (1-3 p.m.), bike show (6-8 p.m.), poker runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and a wet T-shirt contest, which Dettmann said can include sweatshirts and participants of all ages and genders. The headline musical entertainment Saturday night is the Phil Vandel Band.
Sons of AMVETS Frogs and Hogs funds are used for many things, Dettmann said.
"We provide scholarships to American veterans' children above the high school level," he said. "We also support the veterans' home in Mexico, Missouri. We do a lot of activities for them and give them toiletry items and T-shirts, things they need."
The post and associated branches also support local veterans, especially those in Mokane area nursing homes.
Originally from Chillicothe in north-central Missouri, Dettmann is a retired U.S. Army colonel who served from 1974-97.
"If we don't help the veterans, who will?" he asked. "With 23 years of service, I know if a veteran needs help, a veteran will help. Lots of people take veterans for granted; they take freedom for granted."
Members of AMVETS Post 152, Sons of AMVETs, the auxiliary and AMVET Riders who have motorcycles also assist in Central Missouri Honor Flight events.
"We're also local escorts for funerals of veterans who pass," Dettmann said, adding they will create a "flag line" for the service.
Dettmann also mentioned Harold Boone, a 94-year-old veteran who served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Boone is expected to make an appearance at this year's Frogs and Hogs.
"There's not many three-tour veterans in the world," he said.