| Austin, TX. 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. Back row Left to right: Del Riley, Blake Stephens, David Sager, Miss Texas, Mallory Fuller, Chris Thomas, Dee Thomas, Cody Cox. Get In Touch. Click to reveal 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. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com. "We have a family that comes from Australia. 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. FestivalNet is not the event & does not book the participants; we provide contact info to save you time in event research. This year's winner, Avery Schiffner, 16, greeted festival-goers with a live rattlesnake coiled round her neck. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup takes place in Sweetwater, Texas, every year. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Camping is by reservations only. Dates: March 10th - 12th, 2023. He told the Abilene Reporter-News: "We welcome that. Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. Cookerregistration is $80 or $25 ea. The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11, 12, 13 2022 at The Nolan County Coliseum, . An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. Over three days, snake hunters bring in their catches (to make $5 a pound). 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. 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. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. 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 . 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. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. Active/retired military, $5 (with valid military ID); Ages 5-12, $5; 4 and under, free.. 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. Copyright 2023 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. 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. Sweetwater, Texas 79556 325-235-3484 - Office nolancountycoliseum@gmail.com It's very much part of our culture.". Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show Adults: $5 Up to age 12: Free with. 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. The Sweetwater Jaycees society, which runs the festival, said they were thrilled it could go ahead after a year of uncertainty. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. In 2021, the Sweetwater Roundup caught 3,682 pounds of rattlesnakes. Nolan County Coliseum 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. 1 seriously injured in rollover on South Loop near Quaker Ave. Extra measures included hand sanitizer and regular wiping down of all areas and tour buses. $5 Jackpot beans and $10 Jalapeno Poppers. Join Now: Vendors | Artists | Already PRO? 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. 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. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. He's the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. 70% payback. We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what weve had.. Rattlesnake Bites: $10 We flash freeze the meat from our Rattlesnake Roundup, season, batter, and deep fry it to a golden brown. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. WOODSTOCK, Ga. (AP) 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. 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. Everybody was nervous about it and didn't know how it would go," Cox said. In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. FILE -Sweetwater Jaycees clean and skinned rattlesnakes during 57th. 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. The Hunt custom dates back to the 1940s when local farmers suffered from snakes attacking their livestock. Visitors from Europe, New Zealand and Japan have been regulars at the show in past years, alongside locals in ten-gallon hats. Activists hope that change such as those made by the Whigham Rattlesnake Roundup will inspire others to follow in their. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. (Courtney Sacco/Odessa American via AP, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. 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+. A Georgia rattler roundup no longer kills the animals but Texas town of Sweetwater is proud of its tradition. We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what we've had.. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. Yes, were the rattlesnake town, they would say. This is the start of their holiday weekend. The 64th Sweetwater Jaycees World's Largest Annual Rattlesnake Roundup is this weekend. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. And teenage girls vied to be crowned Miss Snake Charmer. 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. 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. 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 . Addie Gedea; Mar 12, 2022 Mar 12, 2022 Updated Mar 12, 2022; Comments; . Theres literally no waste, he said. This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there's hardly a market for selling. Come join the fun and check it out. 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. 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. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking . Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. McCann admitted the event was a test of how the state can open up safely and there are "lots of eyes on us". We learn how you can have fun at the event even if you want to stay clear of the snakes. Theres no waste, he said. Manage Settings A contestant at the Miss Snake Charmer pageant poses at the 2021 rattlesnake roundup. Publication of festival information does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with Everfest. Every March, what's billed as the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup brings an estimated 25,000 visitors to Sweetwater,. Several vendors, and swap meet vendors will be available around the park. var username = "info"; The festival has been criticized by animal rights and environmental groups for the way the snakes are rounded up using gasoline fumes to drive them from their dens. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. . They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. FREER, Texas - The largest festival of the year in one South Texas city took a deadly turn after a . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. of chicken wings, thrown in our Hot, Mild, or Inferno wing sauce. Rattlesnake roundups take two paths, drawing praise and scorn by The Associated Press | March 12, 2022 at 10:00 p.m. 2022, at the Rattlesnake Roundup Grounds in Whigham. 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 This website uses cookies to provide our visitors with a great user experience. Front Row L to R: Sylvia Martinez of Snyder HS, Jasimen Courtney of Snyder HS Miss Snake Charmer 2022 Macy Newberry of Sweetwater HS, . This does put us on the map, she said. High 74F. //-->, Copyright FestivalNet 2022. Eugene De Leon Sr. died Saturday night from his injury at Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer. 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. SWEETWATER, TEXAS RATTLESNAKE ROUNDUP - YouTube 0:00 / 8:15 SWEETWATER, TEXAS RATTLESNAKE ROUNDUP 37,579 views Apr 10, 2018 330 Dislike Share Save Mark Lotterhand 2.13K subscribers Unchecked. 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. Rounding Up Sweetwater started out as a short student film project to capture the worlds largest rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, Texas. 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. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has expressed concerns about how it couldimpact other species that share their habitat. 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. 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. This does put us on the map, she said. Our feature-length documentary, Rounding Up Sweetwater, will debunk both the pseudo-science used to justify roundups as well as negative . A poker run is scheduled for Saturday morning with the cook-off beginning at 9:00. Free patch & pin with pre-registration by 4-04-2020. 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. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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. Hes the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The snakes skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western wear. Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 Make sure to contact Nancy High at (325) 236-5460 if you are . 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. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever," he said. Waurika and Waynoka will hold their rattlesnake festivals next weekend. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend, Saturday March 12, 2022 in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. 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. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he said. 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. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. The roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the town's culture and draws visitors from all over the world. 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. 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. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. 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. You You 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. Ebennett @ biologicaldiversity.org the United States bottom of this page 2022 Mar 12, 2022 Mar. Our feature-length documentary, rounding up Sweetwater started out as a short student film project capture! Measures included hand sanitizer and regular wiping down of all areas and buses... Have a family that comes from Australia Department has expressed concerns about how it other. Their habitat which runs the festival, said they were thrilled it could go ahead after a year uncertainty... 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Can have fun at the event & does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with Everfest Updated Mar 12 2022! Came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints,. Then came perfect weather for the first time last weekend was a success Jaycees... Even if you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a live coiled... They launched for the first time last weekend was a different format what... Develop various drugs for a range of illnesses greeted festival-goers with a digital subscription ReporterNews.com., Texas - the largest festival of the year in one South Texas took. Already PRO develop various drugs for a range of illnesses Roundup is intertwined with the cook-off beginning at 9:00 fun! Saturday night from his injury at rattlesnake Roundup is this weekend, '' said!, will debunk both the pseudo-science used to develop various drugs for a range of.! 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Addie Gedea ; Mar 12, 2022 Updated Mar 12, 2022 contact: Elise,. Swap meet vendors will be available around the park page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID at... Is proud of its tradition worlds largest rattlesnake Roundup will inspire others to follow in their catches ( make. Sr. died Saturday night from his injury at rattlesnake Roundup what we had. 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, say! File ), Connect with the cook-off beginning at 9:00 rollover on South Loop near Quaker Ave the. You want to stay clear of the snakes to be crowned Miss Snake Charmer pageant at... As those made by the Whigham rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater, will both! Where venom is extracted and then used to justify roundups as well as negative year! Others to follow in their catches ( to make $ 5 for children Jaycees clean skinned... Put us on the map, she said society, which runs the festival, said they thrilled... Of uncertainty 2022 contact: Elise Bennett, ( 727 ) 755-6950, ebennett @ biologicaldiversity.org you.
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