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. 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. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. 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. $5 Jackpot beans and $10 Jalapeno Poppers. Heads are pickled in jars complete with exposed fangs, while the flesh is chopped into nuggets and deep fried. The winner of the contest receives a scholarship from the Sweetwater Jaycees and represents Sweetwater at various social events within the Big Country. Come join the fun and check it out. Make sure to contact Nancy High at (325) 236-5460 if you are . Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox said. Animal rights activists praised an annual rattlesnake roundup in south Georgia that recently changed the format of this months event to celebrate living snakes without skinning and butchering them. We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what weve had.. Hunters gather the snakes there's a contest for those capturing the largest ones and they're brought to the Nolan County Coliseum, where multiple parts of the snakes are harvested, Cumbie said. 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. Since 1958, the Sweetwater Jaycees has hosted the largest rattlesnake roundup in the world. Rattlesnakes are fascinating, beautiful, but often feared and misunderstood creatures. Our feature-length documentary, Rounding Up Sweetwater, will debunk both the pseudo-science used to justify roundups as well as negative . Thousands of rattlesnakes are bagged up to be put on display in the snake pits. This event runs alongside the Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club's gun and coin show, founded in the 1940s. 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. Snake hunts are offered throughout the day at nearby locales, and audience members will alsohavethe chance to skin a rattlesnakeas well asdine on the reptile's deep-fried meat. While 24,262 pounds of rattlesnakes were bought at the expo in Sweetwater, there were still about 75,000 pounds of rattlesnakes left over, as reported by the . Over three days, snake hunters bring in their catches (to make $5 a pound). There's even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. All rights reserved. Box 1148 Sweetwater, Texas 79556; 325-235-5488; 800-658-6757; Stay In Touch . You . The city's farmers and ranchers rose and banded together to eradicate rattlesnakes. Begun in 1958 as a means for controlling the rattlesnake population in the area, the roundup has become a major annual driver for the Sweetwater economy. This does put us on the map, she said. 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 on 25 March. And in Sweetwater, Texas: cancel the rattlesnake festival? We also butcher about 1,000 pounds of them each year that we actually cook on the spot., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. But on the first weekend after Easter, they become a platform for this tough annual raceThe Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. var linktext = username + "@" + hostname; They come here every single year.". Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Doors open Friday at 8 a.m., cost is $10 for adults, $5 for active/retired military and $5 for children ages 5-12, with those 4 and under free. The hungriest competitors went head to head in the eating contest. We also butcher about 1,000 pounds of them each year that we actually cook on the spot.". In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Oklahoma. 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.. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Eugene De Leon Sr. died Saturday night from his injury at Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer. Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 4:30 Rattlesnake Parade McCann admitted the event was a test of how the state can open up safely and there are "lots of eyes on us". Join Now: Vendors | Artists | Already PRO? Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever," he said. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he said. Last year's roundup was seen as a "last hurrah" before many states including Texas imposed emergency coronavirus measures and large gatherings were banned. This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there's hardly a market for selling. For Immediate Release, February 28, 2022 Contact: Elise Bennett, (727) 755-6950, ebennett@biologicaldiversity.org . In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. For more information, please contact. Exact attendance figures are unknown because many people such as children are admitted free, but Ive 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. A poker run is scheduled for Saturday morning with the cook-off beginning at 9:00. The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11, 12, 13 2022 at The Nolan . It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifted a mandate requiring face masks and limits on bars and restaurants from March 10, just in time for the 2021 roundup. In addition to Okeene, four other western Oklahoma towns will revive their rattlesnake hunts and festivals this month after being canceled last year. Rattlesnake Roundup Parade March 10, 2022. (Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, Chicken, Chili). Texas rattlesnake butchering festival continues despite objections A Georgia rattler roundup no longer kills the animals but Texas town of Sweetwater is proud of its tradition A. The Hunt custom dates back to the 1940s when local farmers suffered from snakes attacking their livestock. 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. "That's my favorite part because they've got such neat stories to tell," McCann said. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. Yes, were the rattlesnake town, they would say. Rattlesnake Bites: $10 We flash freeze the meat from our Rattlesnake Roundup, season, batter, and deep fry it to a golden brown. GRUESOME pictures show rattlesnakes being beheaded, skinned and eaten at a festival in Texas. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has expressed concerns about how it couldimpact other species that share their habitat. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The Sweetwater Jaycees society, which runs the festival, said they were thrilled it could go ahead after a year of uncertainty. Meat judges are needed, so feel free to volunteer. 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. 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. SWEETWATER, Texas (KCBD) - The 64th Annual Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11 through 13 at the Nolan County Coliseum, located at 220 Coliseum Drive in Sweetwater. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. 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. Theres even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. 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. We want everybody to come and see us and see what we're doing.". Its the biggest event in this town every year, Cumbie said. Theres literally no waste, he said. Nolan County Coliseum1699 Cypress St Sweetwater, TX, 2023 Copyright Everfest, Inc. All rights reserved. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking . With two historical museums, the famous rattlesnake roundup, and much more, Sweetwater has fun attractions that will keep you busy! Activists hope that change such as those made by the Whigham Rattlesnake Roundup will inspire others to follow in their. Free patch & pin with pre-registration by 4-04-2020. Restrooms and free warm showers are available. 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. 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