If it's the second weekend in March, that means it's time for the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. Meat judges are needed, so feel free to volunteer. Ronald Erdrich is the photojournalist and a columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News. We will be donating the first month of each new vendor & artist subscription to the Austin Justice Coalition. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. 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. Manage Settings Center for Biological Diversity: Largest Remaining Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, Should Follow Suit, Conservationists Say. Windy with partly cloudy skies. Go here to update it. Everfest stands in solidarity with the Black community and supports the fight for justice and equality. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Dates: March 10th - 12th, 2023. The Hunt custom dates back to the 1940s when local farmers suffered from snakes attacking their livestock. Theres even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. 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 . Since 1958, the Sweetwater Jaycees has hosted the largest rattlesnake roundup in the world. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what we've had.. Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. 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. 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. With two historical museums, the famous rattlesnake roundup, and much more, Sweetwater has fun attractions that will keep you busy! Your IP: 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. Free patch & pin with pre-registration by 4-04-2020. "We have a family that comes from Australia. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the town's culture and draws visitors from all over the world. In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. Low 43F. 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. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. (Courtney Sacco/Odessa American via AP, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has expressed concerns about how it couldimpact other species that share their habitat. Theres literally no waste, he said. Eugene De Leon Sr. died Saturday night from his injury at Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This does put us on the map, she said. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking . Nolan County Coliseum1699 Cypress St Sweetwater, TX, 2023 Copyright Everfest, Inc. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. The move ends Georgia's inhumane rattlesnake roundup legacy. The diamond rattlesnake managed to secure a festival of its own in Sweetwater, Texas, and people absolutely love it. (Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, Chicken, Chili). Camping is by reservations only. TX 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. . Events began at 4:30 p.m. Thursday with the Rattlesnake Parade, which was followed at 7 p.m. by the Miss Snake Charmer Pageant at Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium. It's very much part of our culture.". 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 . 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. Yes, we're the rattlesnake town, they would say. Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; City Council Hears . 70% payback. Its very much part of our culture.. Rattlesnakes are symbols of freedom and independence; teaching that snakes are scary and useless minimizes their significance in our cultural and ecological heritage.. 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. For more information, please contact. All rights reserved. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com. Back row Left to right: Del Riley, Blake Stephens, David Sager, Miss Texas, Mallory Fuller, Chris Thomas, Dee Thomas, Cody Cox. Our feature-length documentary, Rounding Up Sweetwater, will debunk both the pseudo-science used to justify roundups as well as negative . But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. 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. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. The winner of the contest receives a scholarship from the Sweetwater Jaycees and represents Sweetwater at various social events within the Big Country. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Join Festivalnet.com now to unlock additional details, , Copyright FestivalNet 2022. 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. . This year's winner, Avery Schiffner, 16, greeted festival-goers with a live rattlesnake coiled round her neck. Yes, were the rattlesnake town, they would say. FNdocumentWrite("") marketplace | privacypolicy | contactus, Sweetwater Jaycees World's Largest Rattlesnake Round Up, Thu 4:30pm9pm, Fri 8am5pm, Sat 8am6pm, Sun 8am5pm, 1699 Cypress Street, Sweetwater, TX 79556. 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. 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. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. 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 . There was also a guided hunt on the outskirts of town, a carnival parade and a gun show. 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. Up to age 12: Free with . Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. 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 This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there's hardly a market for selling. 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. 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. 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. The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11, 12, 13 2022 at The Nolan County Coliseum, . 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. Waurika and Waynoka will hold their rattlesnake festivals next weekend. "We were the biggest event going on in the country, which was rather scary when you think about it, before everything kind of shut down," said Rob McCann, public relations director for the Sweetwater Jaycees. There will be live music on Fri. and Sat. 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. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her hometown. 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 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 roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. A Georgia rattler roundup no longer kills the animals but Texas town of Sweetwater is proud of its tradition. In Georgia, organizers say the more humane format they launched for the first time last weekend was a success. 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. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. Visitors from Europe, New Zealand and Japan have been regulars at the show in past years, alongside locals in ten-gallon hats. The weekend kicks off on Thursday with a rattlesnake parade, carnival . 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 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. McCann admitted the event was a test of how the state can open up safely and there are "lots of eyes on us". Of them each year that we actually cook on the map, she said Rounding up Sweetwater started as! Addition to Okeene, four other western Oklahoma towns will revive their rattlesnake hunts and festivals this month after canceled... And in Sweetwater, Texas 79556 ; 325-235-5488 ; 800-658-6757 ; stay in Touch 5 per person/per day,.! 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