Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Manage Settings Activists hope that change such as those made by the Whigham Rattlesnake Roundup will inspire others to follow in their. If its the second weekend in March, that means its time for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. There's literally no waste, he said. For Sweetwater, the festival brings in a reported $8.3 million for the town. Yes, were the rattlesnake town, they would say. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. 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. Children watched in awe as handlers tipped buckets of venomous snakes into a writhing pit. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The Hunt custom dates back to the 1940s when local farmers suffered from snakes attacking their livestock. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 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 . 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show. 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. High 74F. Free patch & pin with pre-registration by 4-04-2020. 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. If it's the second weekend in March, that means it's time for the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. Yes, we're the rattlesnake town, they would say. . The town of 11,000 is expected to swell to about 30,000 during the festival, which runs from Friday through Sunday, said Dennis Cumbie, one of the organizers. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 This event runs alongside the Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club's gun and coin show, founded in the 1940s. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Camping is by reservations only. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. Rattlesnakes are fascinating, beautiful, but often feared and misunderstood creatures. 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 two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie 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 March 25. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. Several vendors, and swap meet vendors will be available around the park. Windy with partly cloudy skies. FNdocumentWrite("") Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a14f7458b5429f1 Team Calcutta-50% payback. For more information, please contact. 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 . Thousands of people,. Thursday March 11, 2021 4:30 pm Rattlesnake Parade5:00 pm-10:00 pm CarnivalAll day pass - $30.00 (all you can ride) Carnival onlyWeekend pass $60.00 (sold only on Thursday) Carnival onlyTicke 231 subscribers 2020 rattlesnake roundup Sweetwater texas music: solitude musician: rook1e music:acoustic guitar 1 musician: music by audionautix.com Limited-time offer - $30 off Explore 85+. This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there's hardly a market for selling. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Cookerregistration is $80 or $25 ea. 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. There will be live music on Fri. and Sat. Enter the email address you used when you joined. People of the small town of Claxton, Georgia transformed their rattlesnake roundup into the Claxton Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival, a festival where they promote conservation and education instead of fear and misconceptions. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn. Our feature-length documentary, Rounding Up Sweetwater, will debunk both the pseudo-science used to justify roundups as well as negative stereotypes about rattlesnakes used to demonize them. Thousands of rattlesnakes are bagged up to be put on display in the snake pits. By accessing our site, you agree to the terms of Everfest's privacy policy. 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. TX This does put us on the map, she said. Adults: $5. Festival-goers were encouraged to wear masks but they were not compulsory and few people actually did. Continue with Recommended Cookies. We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what weve had.. 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. 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. 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.. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. This is a major attraction that people from all over the world come to for the 2nd full weekend in March every year. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her hometown. He's the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he said. This does put us on the map, she said. 810 E Broadway P.O. Since 1958, the Sweetwater Jaycees has hosted the largest rattlesnake roundup in the world. The winner of the contest receives a scholarship from the Sweetwater Jaycees and represents Sweetwater at various social events within the Big Country. 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. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. 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. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. The weekend kicks off on Thursday with a rattlesnake parade, carnival . Roundup visitors will see educational programs about the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake common to West Texas, as well as watching handlers milk the snakes of their venom. Full hindquarter, seasoned and grilled. Rattlesnakes are symbols of freedom and independence; teaching that snakes are scary and useless minimizes their significance in our cultural and ecological heritage.. Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. The diamond rattlesnake managed to secure a festival of its own in Sweetwater, Texas, and people absolutely love it. 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 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. The snakes skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western wear. var username = "info"; Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. Theres literally no waste, he said. Our feature-length documentary, Rounding Up Sweetwater, will debunk both the pseudo-science used to justify roundups as well as negative . Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. Join Now: Vendors | Artists | Already PRO? Mar 7, 2022 / . The snakes skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western wear. 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Rattlesnakes are fascinating, beautiful, but often feared and misunderstood creatures. The city's farmers and ranchers rose and banded together to eradicate rattlesnakes. Historically, the first rattlesnake Roundup kicked off in 1958, at Sweetwater, Texas, U.S. This website uses cookies to provide our visitors with a great user experience. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. Oklahoma. Cumbie is the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. The event is a fundraiser for local youth programs. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Back row Left to right: Del Riley, Blake Stephens, David Sager, Miss Texas, Mallory Fuller, Chris Thomas, Dee Thomas, Cody Cox. . In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. In addition to Okeene, four other western Oklahoma towns will revive their rattlesnake hunts and festivals this month after being canceled last year. Is this your event? Plans for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup this weekend in the Texas town of Sweetwater are full-steam ahead, with snakes set to be skinned and others milked of their venom. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. 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.. GRUESOME pictures show rattlesnakes being beheaded, skinned and eaten at a festival in Texas. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Everybody was nervous about it and didn't know how it would go," Cox said. SWEETWATER JAYCEES World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup March 10, 11, 12 2023 Low 43F. 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. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. NOLAN COUNTY COLISEUM Sweetwater, TX Terry Locklar General Manager - Marketing Director 220 Coliseum Drive. Come join the fun and check it out. I'd love to have that discussion. But perhaps most importantly, we will show theres a better way, that it is possible to stop slaughtering snakes without losing their festivals or the income they generate. We learn how you can have fun at the event even if you want to stay clear of the snakes. Nolan County Coliseum Each spring, the small city of Sweetwater, Texas, hosts what it bills as the world's largest rattlesnake roundup. The 64th Sweetwater Jaycees World's Largest Annual Rattlesnake Roundup is this weekend. The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show Adults: $5 Up to age 12: Free with. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. . The move ends Georgia's inhumane rattlesnake roundup legacy. Rattlesnake Bites: $10 We flash freeze the meat from our Rattlesnake Roundup, season, batter, and deep fry it to a golden brown. 2023 www.reporternews.com. Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; City Council Hears . And teenage girls vied to be crowned Miss Snake Charmer. of chicken wings, thrown in our Hot, Mild, or Inferno wing sauce. 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 Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. 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. A mix of light freezing rain and sleet this morning.then cloudy late. You 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. All rights reserved. Tornado activity: Sweetwater-area historical tornado activity is near Texas state average.It is 28% greater than the overall U.S. average.. On 4/19/1986, a category F3 (max. The bloodiest part is the skinning pit, where people can try their hand at pulling off the pelts - which are preserved and used as leather. The 21st Annual Jaycee Roosters Motorcycle Rally and Cook-off and Swap Meet will be held atSweetwater Lake Park in Sweetwater, Texas from April 15, 2022 to April 17, 2022. The granddaddy of them all, the 82nd Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup will happen April 23-25. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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. We want everybody to come and see us and see what we're doing.". It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. 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. Hunters gather the snakes theres a contest for those capturing the largest ones and theyre brought to the Nolan County Coliseum, where multiple parts of the snakes are harvested, Cumbie said. Rattlesnake Roundup Parade March 10, 2022. This year's winner, Avery Schiffner, 16, greeted festival-goers with a live rattlesnake coiled round her neck. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking . Box 1148 Sweetwater, Texas 79556; 325-235-5488; 800-658-6757; Stay In Touch . 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. 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. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox added. And it took four men to hold the largest wriggling reptiles down on a table so they could be measured for the biggest snake contest. 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. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever," he said. The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11, 12, 13 2022 at The Nolan . For Immediate Release, February 28, 2022 Contact: Elise Bennett, (727) 755-6950, ebennett@biologicaldiversity.org . 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. And in Sweetwater, Texas: cancel the rattlesnake festival? Get In Touch. 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. All rights reserved. The World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup takes place in Sweetwater, Texas, every year. Make sure to contact Nancy High at (325) 236-5460 if you are . Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the town's culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he said. 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. 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. 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. Service to humanity, is the best work of life. Its very much part of our culture.. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. 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 . We encourage you to join us and consider supporting the Austin Justice Coalition or the organization leading the ongoing movement for accountability and change in your community. Apache's will follow on April 15-18. Over three days, snake hunters bring in their catches (to make $5 a pound). He told the Abilene Reporter-News: "We welcome that. McCann admitted the event was a test of how the state can open up safely and there are "lots of eyes on us". The action you just performed triggered the security solution. var linktext = username + "@" + hostname; In 2021, the Sweetwater Roundup caught 3,682 pounds of rattlesnakes. In 2022 the Whigham Community Club announced that it will no longer capture snakes and will instead feature displays and educational programming about the diamondback rattlesnake and other native wildlife. 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. 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. 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. Sweetwater has some amazing attractions hosted throughout the year! The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has expressed concerns about how it couldimpact other species that share their habitat. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. . 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. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. "We certainly haven't made the population extinct by any stretch of the imagination. There's even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup Where: Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive Cost: Adults $10. 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. 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 . A Georgia rattler roundup no longer kills the animals but Texas town of Sweetwater is proud of its tradition. FREER, Texas - The largest festival of the year in one South Texas city took a deadly turn after a . Wing Dings: $8 1 lb. Heads are pickled in jars complete with exposed fangs, while the flesh is chopped into nuggets and deep fried. Its the biggest event in this town every year, Cumbie said. Sweetwater Jaycees Rattlesnake Round Up 2023 Nolan County Colisuem 220 Coliseum Drive, Sweetwater, TX Sat 11 March 11 Downtown Lions Club Car Show Thu 23 March 23 - March 25 Ranger College Rodeo at Nolan County Coliseum Nolan County Colisuem 220 Coliseum Drive, Sweetwater, TX Fri 24 March 24 - March 26 Rattlesnake Gravel Grind Eugene De Leon Sr. died Saturday night from his injury at Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her hometown. Addie Gedea; Mar 12, 2022 Mar 12, 2022 Updated Mar 12, 2022; Comments; . If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. 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. Rounding Up Sweetwater. | Austin, TX. They come here every single year.". Guided Snake Hunt - Friday Friday, March 11th For those wishing to see the rattlesnake in its natural habitat, we offer guided hunts. Nolan County Coliseum|1699 Cypress St, Sweetwater, TX | Map. 1 seriously injured in rollover on South Loop near Quaker Ave. 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 . Besides renewables, Sweetwater is also known for hosting special events that attract tourists. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the town's culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Waurika and Waynoka will hold their rattlesnake festivals next weekend. Nolan County Coliseum1699 Cypress St Sweetwater, TX, 2023 Copyright Everfest, Inc. All rights reserved. This is the start of their holiday weekend. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. . Hes the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. Everfest stands in solidarity with the Black community and supports the fight for justice and equality. Every March, what's billed as the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup brings an estimated 25,000 visitors to Sweetwater,. 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. The Sweetwater Jaycees society, which runs the festival, said they were thrilled it could go ahead after a year of uncertainty. Theres even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. Its very much part of our culture.. 2022, at the Rattlesnake Roundup Grounds in Whigham. (Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, Chicken, Chili). 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.. Rattlesnake roundups take two paths, drawing praise and scorn by The Associated Press | March 12, 2022 at 10:00 p.m. This does put us on the map, she said. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. The 21st Annual Jaycee Roosters Motorcycle Rally and Cook-off and Swap Meet will be held at Sweetwater Lake Park in Sweetwater, Texas from April 15, 2022 to April 17, 2022. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox said. Up to age 12: Free with . Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. var hostname = "FestivalNet.com"; They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. A bike show, bike games, and raffles, will happen later on the evening following the awards ceremony. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. 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. Windy with lots of sunshine. A poker run is scheduled for Saturday morning with the cook-off beginning at 9:00. 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. Click to reveal Festival information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can view our list of cancellations here. McCann said: "If someone could come up with a better way of killing rattlesnakesso we can keep doing our event, then please come teach me. Sweetwater, We will be donating the first month of each new vendor & artist subscription to the Austin Justice Coalition. Afterwards, they are butchered for their meat, skin and venom and sold to anyone who can make use of them. 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. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. 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.
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