The granddaddy of them all, the 82nd Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup will happen April 23-25. Thousands of rattlesnakes are bagged up to be put on display in the snake pits. Nolan County Coliseum The city's farmers and ranchers rose and banded together to eradicate rattlesnakes. This event runs alongside the Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club's gun and coin show, founded in the 1940s. Active/retired military, $5 (with valid military ID); Ages 5-12, $5; 4 and under, free.. The Fascinating Underwater World and the Legacy of Jacques Cousteau Free High-Quality Documentaries 50th Annual Freer Rattlesnake Round-Up Wolters World 2.2M views 6 years ago 10 Most Beautiful. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. GRUESOME pictures show rattlesnakes being beheaded, skinned and eaten at a festival in Texas. In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. To register for a guided hunt, you first need to purchase a ticket online, then you need to show up early on the day you purchased a ticket to hunt and sign up with hunter registration located at the back of the coliseum by the weigh-in area. And teenage girls vied to be crowned Miss Snake Charmer. The hungriest competitors went head to head in the eating contest. What is advertised as the "World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup" draws about 25,000 visitors annually to the town of Sweetwater, a community in Texas made up of a little over 10,000 people. In addition to Okeene, four other western Oklahoma towns will revive their rattlesnake hunts and festivals this month after being canceled last year. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. In 2021, the Sweetwater Roundup caught 3,682 pounds of rattlesnakes. Addie Gedea; Mar 12, 2022 Mar 12, 2022 Updated Mar 12, 2022; Comments; . Everfest stands in solidarity with the Black community and supports the fight for justice and equality. Extra measures included hand sanitizer and regular wiping down of all areas and tour buses. FILE -Sweetwater Jaycees clean and skinned rattlesnakes during 57th. var hostname = "FestivalNet.com"; A mix of light freezing rain and sleet this morning.then cloudy late. They also show the huge divide in how they are seen by some, with the Georgia festival heralded by animal advocates and the Texas roundup shamed. Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. Sweetwater Rattlesnake RoundUp March 10 - 12, 2023 Nolan County Coliseum Sweetwater, TX 79556 Status: Updated 12/5/2022 Sweetwater Jaycees World's Largest Rattlesnake Round Up Admission: none Days/Hours Open: Thu 4:30pm9pm, Fri 8am5pm, Sat 8am6pm, Sun 8am5pm Address: 1699 Cypress Street, Sweetwater, TX 79556 Entertainment: 1 stage - Local. It's very much part of our culture.". Festival information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can view our list of cancellations here. Team Calcutta-50% payback. Plans for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup this weekend in the Texas town of Sweetwater are full-scale ahead, with snakes set to be skinned and others milked of their venom. "We certainly haven't made the population extinct by any stretch of the imagination. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Eugene De Leon Sr. died Saturday night from his injury at Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer. There will be live music on Fri. and Sat. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Depending on the weather, or even a pandemic, the towns population beginning Friday could swell from about 11,000 to nearly 40,000 through Sunday. Sweetwater has held its rattlesnake roundup for more than six decades, and what we have figured out over 64 years is that were not damaging the population of the snakes whatsoever, Cumbie said. The Sweetwater Jaycees visited the Texas State Capitol Building this week to promote public awareness of rattlesnakes in advance of the 63rd World's Largest Rattlesnake Round up. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The Hunt custom dates back to the 1940s when local farmers suffered from snakes attacking their livestock. 810 E Broadway P.O. Center for Biological Diversity: Largest Remaining Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, Should Follow Suit, Conservationists Say. Plans for the "World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup" this weekend in the Texas town of Sweetwater are full-scale ahead, with snakes set to be skinned and others "milked" of their venom . The following is the full schedule for the 2022 Rattlesnake Roundup: Thursday March 10, 2022: 4:30 pm Rattlesnake Parade 5:00 pm-10:00 pm Carnival All day pass - $35.00 (all you can ride) Carnival only Weekend pass $100.00 (sold only on Thursday) Carnival only Tickets - $1.00 each 7:00 pm Miss Snake Charmer Pageant Adults - $10.00 Students - $5.00 of chicken wings, thrown in our Hot, Mild, or Inferno wing sauce. 2022, at the Rattlesnake Roundup Grounds in Whigham. . For Immediate Release, February 28, 2022 Contact: Elise Bennett, (727) 755-6950, ebennett@biologicaldiversity.org . There's even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer.The town of 11,000 is expected to swell to around 30,000 during the festival that runs Friday through Sunday, said Dennis Cumbie, one . Around two and a half tons of western diamondback rattlesnakes are rounded up each year for the festival, which was founded in 1958 as a way to control the population. Heads are pickled in jars complete with exposed fangs, while the flesh is chopped into nuggets and deep fried. Make sure to contact Nancy High at (325) 236-5460 if you are . Sweetwater has some amazing attractions hosted throughout the year! It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. Waurika and Waynoka will hold their rattlesnake festivals next weekend. They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. The event is a fundraiser for local youth programs. You Rattlesnakes are fascinating, beautiful, but often feared and misunderstood creatures. Join Now: Vendors | Artists | Already PRO? The diamond rattlesnake managed to secure a festival of its own in Sweetwater, Texas, and people absolutely love it. Plans for the "World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup" this weekend in the Texas town of Sweetwater are full-scale ahead, with snakes set to be skinned and others "milked" of their venom.. The town of 11,000 is expected to swell to around 30,000 during the festival that runs Friday through Sunday, said Dennis Cumbie, one of the organizers. Now, as director of the Sweetwater and Nolan County Chamber of Commerce, Hunt fields calls from people in England, Germany and other parts of the world inquiring about the festival and making plans to visit. The important thing for organizers is that the historic festival was able to go ahead. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. Yes, were the rattlesnake town, they would say. SWEETWATER, Texas (KCBD) - The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11 through 13 at the Nolan County Coliseum, located at 220 Coliseum Drive in Sweetwater. Its very much part of our culture.. (Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, Chicken, Chili). In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Rattlesnake Bites: $10 We flash freeze the meat from our Rattlesnake Roundup, season, batter, and deep fry it to a golden brown. Last year's roundup was seen as a "last hurrah" before many states including Texas imposed emergency coronavirus measures and large gatherings were banned. The same is true in the south Alabama town of Opp, where an annual rattlesnake festival that has drawn thousands for nearly six decades opens March 25. Courtesy photo The Sweetwater Jaycee's famed Rattlesnake Roundup is set for March 11-14 at Nolan County Coliseum, where just west of Abilene this weekend, scores of snake wranglers will risk a . Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. Festival-goers were encouraged to wear masks but they were not compulsory and few people actually did. If it's the second weekend in March, that means it's time for the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. FREER, Texas - The largest festival of the year in one South Texas city took a deadly turn after a . Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn. 2023 www.reporternews.com. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. The winner of the contest receives a scholarship from the Sweetwater Jaycees and represents Sweetwater at various social events within the Big Country. var username = "info"; Afterwards, they are butchered for their meat, skin and venom and sold to anyone who can make use of them. Mar 7, 2022 / . 64th Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater March 11-13, 5:00-10:00 carnival - $35 all day pass (carnival rides only) or $100 all weekend pass (carnival only), 7:00 PM Miss Snake Charmer Pageant at Municipal Auditorium 201 E 4th Street - adult ticket $10, student ticket $5, Tickets prices: adults $10, active/retired military $5 with valid ID, children 5-12 $5, children 4 and under free, 9:00-6:00 Sweetwater rifle and Pistol Club Gun, Knife, and Coin Show with $5 entry, children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult, 8:00-5:00 Sweetwater Lions Club Flea Market, 10:00 Guided Snake Hunts - Must sign up prior and must have valid hunting license, 2:00PM - 12:00 AM Carnival - $35 all day pass for rides and tickets $1, 9:00-6:00 Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club Gun, Knife, and Coin Show with $5 entry, children 12 & under free when accompanied by an adult, 10:00AM - 12:00 AM Carnival - $35 all day pass for rides or tickets $1, 8:00 PM Dance at the Jaycee Barn at 307 W 4th Street - $20 per person and cooler charge $5 small $10 large, 4:00 Longest Snake Contest and Most Pounds Entered Awards, 9:00-5:00 Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club Gun, Coin, and Knife Show - $5 entry fee, children 12& under free when accompanied by an adult, 10:00AM-8:00PM Carnival - $35 day pass for carnival rides or tickets $1. Hunters gather the snakes theres a contest for those capturing the largest ones and they are brought to the Nolan county coliseum, where multiple parts of the snakes are harvested, Cumbie said. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. NOLAN COUNTY COLISEUM Sweetwater, TX Terry Locklar General Manager - Marketing Director 220 Coliseum Drive. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The snakes' skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western wear. Several vendors, and swap meet vendors will be available around the park. The snakes skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western wear. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 1.8 miles away from the Sweetwater city center killed one person and injured 100 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.. On 5/24/1968, a category F3 tornado 15.9 . Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her home town. Rounding Up Sweetwater. Served with ranch or blue cheese and celery. Up to age 12: Free with . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. //-->, Copyright FestivalNet 2022. The festival started in 1958 and runs annually during the second weekend of March in the city of Sweetwater in Central Texas. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. We also butcher about 1,000 pounds of them each year that we actually cook on the spot., FILE -Sweetwater Jaycees clean and skinned rattlesnakes during 57th Sweetwater Jaycees World Largest Rattlesnake Round-up at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater Texas, March 14, 2015. Now, as director of the Sweetwater and Nolan County Chamber of Commerce, Hunt fields calls from people in England, Germany and other parts of the world inquiring about the festival and making plans to visit. Apache's will follow on April 15-18. They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. Guided Snake Hunt - Friday Friday, March 11th For those wishing to see the rattlesnake in its natural habitat, we offer guided hunts. Exact attendance figures are unknown because many people such as children are admitted free, but I've heard anywhere from 7,000 to 15,000, said longtime volunteer Jeffrey Cox, who has been helping to organize the Whigham Rattlesnake Roundup for the past four decades. Must be an Everfest PRO member to view contact info. "We have a family that comes from Australia. Yes, we're the rattlesnake town, they would say. Click to reveal Rounding Up Sweetwater started out as a short student film project to capture the worlds largest rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, Texas. The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11, 12, 13 2022 at The Nolan . Manage Settings Children watched in awe as handlers tipped buckets of venomous snakes into a writhing pit. 79556. WOODSTOCK, Ga. An annual rattlesnake roundup in south Georgia recently changed the format of this months event to celebrate living snakes without skinning and butchering them, earning plaudits from animal rights activists. A few rattlesnake roundups still persist, the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity said in a statement full of scorn for the Texas festival, which is "notorious for openly killing and skinning western diamondback rattlesnakes by the hundreds in front of crowds.. Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 Continue with Recommended Cookies. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. . The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. Enter the email address you used when you joined. . Events began at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with the Rattlesnake Parade, which was followed at 7 p.m. by the Miss Snake Charmer Pageant at Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium. While organizers say the snake hunters who bring in big rattlers get rid of nuisance reptiles, opponents say Eastern diamondback snakes are declining in population. Each spring, the small city of Sweetwater, Texas, hosts what it bills as the world's largest rattlesnake roundup. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. Its very much part of our culture.. Theres literally no waste, he said. I'd love to have that discussion. Every March, what's billed as the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup brings an estimated 25,000 visitors to Sweetwater,. Theres even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. Windy with lots of sunshine. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he said. World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-up in Sweetwater, Texas - YouTube 0:00 / 16:54 World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-up in Sweetwater, Texas 14,062 views Mar 18, 2021 161 Dislike. For more information, please contact. "We were the biggest event going on in the country, which was rather scary when you think about it, before everything kind of shut down," said Rob McCann, public relations director for the Sweetwater Jaycees. Admission: none Days/Hours Open: All Days 8am6pm Address: 110 E. 15th Street, Sweetwater, TX 79556 Other Activities: sweetwater lions club car show, sweetwater rattlesnake roundup Attendance: 9,000 # Food Booths: 20 # of Exhibitors: 235 Juried: no Prize Money: na Deadlines: Art & Craft: 03/01/2023 Music: na Food: 03/01/2023 Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; Ridin . Join Festivalnet.com now to unlock additional details,