FILE -Sweetwater Jaycees clean and skinned rattlesnakes during 57th. $5 Jackpot beans and $10 Jalapeno Poppers. Sweetwater has held its rattlesnake roundup for more than six decades, and what we have figured out over 64 years is that we're not damaging the population of the snakes whatsoever, Cumbie said. The Hunt custom dates back to the 1940s when local farmers suffered from snakes attacking their livestock. Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; Ridin . 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. Cookerregistration is $80 or $25 ea. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever," he said. Oklahoma. This website uses cookies to provide our visitors with a great user experience. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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. We will be donating the first month of each new vendor & artist subscription to the Austin Justice Coalition. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox said. Front Row L to R: Sylvia Martinez of Snyder HS, Jasimen Courtney of Snyder HS Miss Snake Charmer 2022 Macy Newberry of Sweetwater HS, . The winner of the contest receives a scholarship from the Sweetwater Jaycees and represents Sweetwater at various social events within the Big Country. 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. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. The 64th Sweetwater Jaycees World's Largest Annual Rattlesnake Roundup is this weekend. Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 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. Is this your event? Ronald Erdrich is the photojournalist and a columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn. There's literally no waste, he said. You And in Sweetwater, Texas: cancel the rattlesnake festival? There was also a guided hunt on the outskirts of town, a carnival parade and a gun show. The Sweetwater Jaycees society, which runs the festival, said they were thrilled it could go ahead after a year of uncertainty. Everybody was nervous about it and didn't know how it would go," Cox said. By accessing our site, you agree to the terms of Everfest's privacy policy. Your IP: Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. If its the second weekend in March, that means its time for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. GRUESOME pictures show rattlesnakes being beheaded, skinned and eaten at a festival in Texas. 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 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.. 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. 2022, at the Rattlesnake Roundup Grounds in Whigham. 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. Everfest stands in solidarity with the Black community and supports the fight for justice and equality. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.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. And teenage girls vied to be crowned Miss Snake Charmer. 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 . Theres no waste, he said. var username = "info"; 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 . Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; City Council Hears . We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what we've had.. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. Festival information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can view our list of cancellations here. 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. A contestant at the Miss Snake Charmer pageant poses at the 2021 rattlesnake roundup. 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. But on the first weekend after Easter, they become a platform for this tough annual raceThe Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt. "We have a family that comes from Australia. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. It's very much part of our culture.". 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. Addie Gedea; Mar 12, 2022 Mar 12, 2022 Updated Mar 12, 2022; Comments; . Cumbie is the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. Theres literally no waste, he said. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. The roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday. Rattlesnake Bites: $10 We flash freeze the meat from our Rattlesnake Roundup, season, batter, and deep fry it to a golden brown. Visitors from Europe, New Zealand and Japan have been regulars at the show in past years, alongside locals in ten-gallon hats. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. . Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her home town. Theres even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. Full hindquarter, seasoned and grilled. of chicken wings, thrown in our Hot, Mild, or Inferno wing sauce. 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. Make sure to contact Nancy High at (325) 236-5460 if you are . Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. 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. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. Mar 7, 2022 / . Get In Touch. Dates: March 10th - 12th, 2023. Historically, the first rattlesnake Roundup kicked off in 1958, at Sweetwater, Texas, U.S. In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. 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.. The granddaddy of them all, the 82nd Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup will happen April 23-25. 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. 209.239.116.57 Festival-goers were encouraged to wear masks but they were not compulsory and few people actually did. 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. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the town's culture and draws visitors from all over the world. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. A bike show, bike games, and raffles, will happen later on the evening following the awards ceremony. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. We learn how you can have fun at the event even if you want to stay clear of the snakes. We have plenty of outdoor space for more vendors to enjoy the 65th World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup right here in Sweetwater, TX. Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking . 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. Rattlesnake Roundup Parade March 10, 2022. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. 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. He's the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. | Austin, TX. 70% payback. Rattlesnakes are fascinating, beautiful, but often feared and misunderstood creatures. 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. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. 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. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Rattlesnake roundups take two paths, drawing praise and scorn by The Associated Press | March 12, 2022 at 10:00 p.m. 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.. 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. Center for Biological Diversity: Largest Remaining Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, Should Follow Suit, Conservationists Say. 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. Besides renewables, Sweetwater is also known for hosting special events that attract tourists. There will be live music on Fri. and Sat. 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. . Manage Settings This does put us on the map, she said. 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 important thing for organizers is that the historic festival was able to go ahead. "We certainly haven't made the population extinct by any stretch of the imagination. Sweetwater Jaycees Rattle Staid State Capitol with Snakes Miss Snake Charmer 2023 Contestants Attend Pageant Tea Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, SEED, City of Sweetwater, NFC Partner to Bring Free Fitness Court to Newman Park SISD Transfers SHS Interim Principalship to Kathy Smartt var hostname = "FestivalNet.com"; The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. Up to age 12: Free with . //-->, Copyright FestivalNet 2022. FNdocumentWrite("") 79556. Sweetwater has some amazing attractions hosted throughout the year! Sweetwater, Each spring, the small city of Sweetwater, Texas, hosts what it bills as the world's largest rattlesnake roundup. Its very much part of our culture.. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. 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. Since 1958, the Sweetwater Jaycees has hosted the largest rattlesnake roundup in the world. A mix of light freezing rain and sleet this morning.then cloudy late. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. . 1 seriously injured in rollover on South Loop near Quaker Ave. Nolan County Coliseum|1699 Cypress St, Sweetwater, TX | Map. With two historical museums, the famous rattlesnake roundup, and much more, Sweetwater has fun attractions that will keep you busy! 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. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her hometown. Sweetwater has held its rattlesnake roundup for more than six decades, "and what we have figured out over 64 years is that we're not damaging the population of the snakes whatsoever," Cumbie. Handlers grabbed them safely behind the jaws so children could stroke them up close. Heads are pickled in jars complete with exposed fangs, while the flesh is chopped into nuggets and deep fried. All rights reserved. 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. Its very much part of our culture.. Hes the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. Depending on the weather, or even a pandemic, the town's population. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The festival started in 1958 and runs annually during the second weekend of March in the city of Sweetwater in Central Texas. Its the biggest event in this town every year, Cumbie said. I'd love to have that discussion. High 74F. 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. Served with ranch or blue cheese and celery. . 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 . 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. All rights reserved. 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 . Publication of festival information does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with Everfest. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. Windy with partly cloudy skies. Join Festivalnet.com now to unlock additional details,