Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. 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. Back row Left to right: Del Riley, Blake Stephens, David Sager, Miss Texas, Mallory Fuller, Chris Thomas, Dee Thomas, Cody Cox. Heads are pickled in jars complete with exposed fangs, while the flesh is chopped into nuggets and deep fried. 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 contestant at the Miss Snake Charmer pageant poses at the 2021 rattlesnake roundup. Visitors from Europe, New Zealand and Japan have been regulars at the show in past years, alongside locals in ten-gallon hats. GRUESOME pictures show rattlesnakes being beheaded, skinned and eaten at a festival in Texas. We learn how you can have fun at the event even if you want to stay clear of the snakes. Service to humanity, is the best work of life. The weekend kicks off on Thursday with a rattlesnake parade, carnival . The city's farmers and ranchers rose and banded together to eradicate rattlesnakes. 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 We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what weve had.. 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. Depending on the weather, or even a pandemic, the town's population. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn. "That's my favorite part because they've got such neat stories to tell," McCann said. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. NOLAN COUNTY COLISEUM Sweetwater, TX Terry Locklar General Manager - Marketing Director 220 Coliseum Drive. Emergency crews responding to southwest Lubbock apartment fire, Woman trapped in vehicle after crash on I-27 involving semi, Semi crash on South Loop leaves one person moderately injured, Noon Notebook: LFR to participate in 48-marathon, Noon Notebook: 34th annual Mayors' Beans & Cornbread Luncheon, Tell Me Something Good - Wednesday, March 1. 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. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. The move ends Georgia's inhumane rattlesnake roundup legacy. Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 4:30 Rattlesnake Parade 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. You He's the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. Box 1148 Sweetwater, Texas 79556; 325-235-5488; 800-658-6757; Stay In Touch . 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. 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. Rattlesnake Bites: $10 We flash freeze the meat from our Rattlesnake Roundup, season, batter, and deep fry it to a golden brown. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. Festival information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can view our list of cancellations here. (Courtney Sacco/Odessa American via AP, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. It's very much part of our culture.". The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. 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. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. FREER, Texas - The largest festival of the year in one South Texas city took a deadly turn after a . 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. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. 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. Enter the email address you used when you joined. Restrooms and free warm showers are available. If its the second weekend in March, that means its time for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show Adults: $5 Up to age 12: Free with. But there is much more to the story that we need to tell. Besides renewables, Sweetwater is also known for hosting special events that attract tourists. We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what we've had.. 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. We will be donating the first month of each new vendor & artist subscription to the Austin Justice Coalition. Windy with lots of sunshine. Rounding Up Sweetwater started out as a short student film project to capture the worlds largest rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, Texas. A poker run is scheduled for Saturday morning with the cook-off beginning at 9:00. 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. 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 . Get In Touch. But on the first weekend after Easter, they become a platform for this tough annual raceThe Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt. This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there's hardly a market for selling. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a14f7458b5429f1 Rattlesnake roundups take two paths, drawing praise and scorn by The Associated Press | March 12, 2022 at 10:00 p.m. 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. Camping is by reservations only. By accessing our site, you agree to the terms of Everfest's privacy policy. The roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. Sweetwater, Texas 79556 325-235-3484 - Office nolancountycoliseum@gmail.com Join Now: Vendors | Artists | Already PRO? The World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup takes place in Sweetwater, Texas, every year. 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. 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. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. . 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 Theres no waste, he said. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. Is this your event? 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 Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox 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. Windy with partly cloudy skies. Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. There will be live music on Fri. and Sat. var hostname = "FestivalNet.com"; 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. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Cumbie is the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. FILE -Sweetwater Jaycees clean and skinned rattlesnakes during 57th. Ronald Erdrich is the photojournalist and a columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Its the biggest event in this town every year, 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. 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. And in Sweetwater, Texas: cancel the rattlesnake festival? Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; City Council Hears . Extra measures included hand sanitizer and regular wiping down of all areas and tour buses. 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. Your IP: The 64th Sweetwater Jaycees World's Largest Annual Rattlesnake Roundup is this weekend. Each spring, the small city of Sweetwater, Texas, hosts what it bills as the world's largest rattlesnake roundup. This is a major attraction that people from all over the world come to for the 2nd full weekend in March every year. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. Theres literally no waste, he said. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The snakes' skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western wear. We want everybody to come and see us and see what we're doing.". The diamond rattlesnake managed to secure a festival of its own in Sweetwater, Texas, and people absolutely love it. 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. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he 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.. 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. Since 1958, the Sweetwater Jaycees has hosted the largest rattlesnake roundup in the world. $5 Jackpot beans and $10 Jalapeno Poppers. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Full hindquarter, seasoned and grilled. 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. Mar 7, 2022 / . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. Activists hope that change such as those made by the Whigham Rattlesnake Roundup will inspire others to follow in their. 79556. Its very much part of our culture.. 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. 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