The Loveland Frogman legend is rooted in reports of large frog-faced creatures spotted locally; first, in 1955, with additional suspected sightings in 1972 and 2016. Fact or fiction, there’s no denying the excitement that Loveland’s Frogman legend has generated over the years.
Now, the city is officially getting in on the fun. This October, a family-friendly Return of the Frogman festival hops into downtown Loveland, to the delight of locals and cryptid-curious travelers alike.
Cryp-what? A cryptid is a suspected animal or creature that has become part of a region’s folklore—think Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, Abominable Snowman. Here in Loveland, the Frogman legend has reached remarkable heights. “In 2023, we debuted the Frogman as the city mascot,” reports Krista Rose, marketing and communications coordinator for the city.
But how did the festival idea arise?
Krista explains how Loveland enjoys its reputation for organizing popular events that bring the community together, but acknowledges that the city hasn’t hosted many fall events for a number of years. “It seemed like the right time to plan a Frogman festival,” she smiles.
The Frogman legend is fun and “uniquely Loveland,” adds Frogman enthusiast Brian Maxson, “Of course, there are a lot more questions than answers surrounding supposed encounters over the years.”
Brian, who is also owner of the Railway Barber Shop, adds that what makes the Frogman different from other cryptid legends is its calm nature. “Unlike Mothman or Yeti, all encounters have been peaceful and passive,” he says.
“Not to mention the Frogman is a 3' to 4'-tall biped frog with a magic wand! What’s not to love about that?”
Phenom to Fest
The Frogman phenomenon has already led to the creation of a different kind of Frogman-centered event, one committed more closely to cryptid conversations and scholarly presentations on the subject, a springtime festival now in its third year.
The City of Loveland’s event, however, will be more “playful in nature,” Krista explains. “Not to mention family friendly.” The new festival will offer live entertainment, kids’ activities, food trucks, themed decorations, and—of course—the city’s own Frogman mascot.
FROG FAB
The mascot’s costume made its debut just last year during Hearts Afire Weekend; at Return of the Frogman, it’ll return to greet festival-goers and pose for photo ops. Other Frogman mascot fun facts to keep in mind?
- The costume took approximately 10 months to build.
- The head is made of foam, rubber and other materials, and weighs in at about 10 pounds. A small fan is located in the head to help circulate warm air out of the uniform.
- That said, after about 30 minutes in the costume, it’s time for a break!
- The costume design required flat-footed, webbed feet; the solution was “flippered” slippers that take “serious practice” to walk in, Krista says.
- When out and about, the mascot always has a helper nearby to assist with navigation.
LEGENDARY FUN
Even the festival scheduling itself is specifically frog-friendly: future Return of the Frogman festivals will only take place only during leap years.
“Our tagline is ‘Leap Into the Legend,’” Krista says. “An outdoor festival created with the purpose of bringing the community together for a day of fun.”
Ready for a hoppin’ good time? Return of the Frogman takes place across downtown Loveland this October 12 from 4–8 p.m.
“The Frogman legend is fun and uniquely Loveland ... not to mention the Frogman is a 3' to 4'-tall biped frog with a magic wand! What’s not to love about that?” - Brian