Copyright 2022 KCBD. 70% payback. 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. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. Sweetwater, We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what we've had.. Addie Gedea; Mar 12, 2022 Mar 12, 2022 Updated Mar 12, 2022; Comments; . We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what weve had.. Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; City Council Hears . We also butcher about 1,000 pounds of them each year that we actually cook on the spot.". We learn how you can have fun at the event even if you want to stay clear of the snakes. 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. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he said. Cookerregistration is $80 or $25 ea. With two historical museums, the famous rattlesnake roundup, and much more, Sweetwater has fun attractions that will keep you busy! Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her hometown. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. 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. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show. 810 E Broadway P.O. 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.. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. But on the first weekend after Easter, they become a platform for this tough annual raceThe Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt. Up to age 12: Free with . A Georgia rattler roundup no longer kills the animals but Texas town of Sweetwater is proud of its tradition. 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. The roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday. Cumbie is the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. Make sure to contact Nancy High at (325) 236-5460 if you are . You 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. Windy with lots of sunshine. FestivalNet is not the event & does not book the participants; we provide contact info to save you time in event research. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ", 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Katie Tyson, 18, runner up in the Miss Snake Charmer pageant, poses in the snake pit in Sweetwater, Texas, Hundreds of western diamondback rattlesnakes are rounded up each year, Festival-goers can try their hand at beheading and skinning snakes, Avery Schiffner, 16, was crowned Miss Snake Charmer 2021, Kids watch in awe as a handler picks up one of the venomous reptiles, It takes four men to hold down the biggest snakes so they can be measured, The skinning pit is one of the highlights of the Rattlesnake Roundup, Around two and a half tons of snakes are killed each year, Heads displayed on a table ready to be preserved, The heads are pickled in jars with the fangs exposed, A festival-goer skins a rattlesnake during the 2021 Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, Those who have skinned a snake are invited to make a bloody hand print on the wall, The flesh is deep fried and served as nuggets, Competitors take part in the eating contest, The festival dates back to 1958, when farmers wanted a way to control the snake population, A guided snake hunt on the outskirts of Sweetwater, Kaleb Merritt, ten, skins a snake he caught on the hunt, Hundreds of rattlesnakes are caught and killed each year, Python breaks through toilet ceiling at restaurant in Thailand. 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. Low 43F. Mar 7, 2022 / . The festival started in 1958 and runs annually during the second weekend of March in the city of Sweetwater in Central Texas. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. 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. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. I'd love to have that discussion. But no such changes are occurring at a huge rattlesnake roundup beginning this weekend in Texas, a festival that the activists say is barbaric. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. He told the Abilene Reporter-News: "We welcome that. Its the biggest event in this town every year, Cumbie said. In 2021, the Sweetwater Roundup caught 3,682 pounds of rattlesnakes. Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup Where: Nolan County Coliseum, 220 Coliseum Drive Cost: Adults $10. The diamond rattlesnake managed to secure a festival of its own in Sweetwater, Texas, and people absolutely love it. This is a major attraction that people from all over the world come to for the 2nd full weekend in March every year. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. 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 It's the biggest event in this town every year," Cumbie said. Join Festivalnet.com now to unlock additional details, , Copyright FestivalNet 2022. 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. If it's the second weekend in March, that means it's time for the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox added. The move ends Georgia's inhumane rattlesnake roundup legacy. Your User ID or Password reset link will be sent to you. Get In Touch. 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. 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. 2023 www.reporternews.com. We probably had more actual snakes there this year, even though it was a different format than what weve had.. 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. Yes, were the rattlesnake town, they would say. Team Calcutta-50% payback. Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; Ridin . 209.239.116.57 The important thing for organizers is that the historic festival was able to go ahead. Besides renewables, Sweetwater is also known for hosting special events that attract tourists. For Immediate Release, February 28, 2022 Contact: Elise Bennett, (727) 755-6950, ebennett@biologicaldiversity.org . Manage Settings It arose as a result of a wide influx of rattlesnakes that were killing livestock and pets of inhabitants of the community. Active/retired military, $5 (with valid military ID); Ages 5-12, $5; 4 and under, free.. Extra measures included hand sanitizer and regular wiping down of all areas and tour buses. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her hometown. Since 1958, the Sweetwater Jaycees has hosted the largest rattlesnake roundup in the world. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. 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. Each spring, the small city of Sweetwater, Texas, hosts what it bills as the world's largest rattlesnake roundup. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox 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. The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11, 12, 13 2022 at The Nolan County Coliseum, . 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 . This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there's hardly a market for selling. 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. | Austin, TX. For Sweetwater, the festival brings in a reported $8.3 million for the town. Several vendors, and swap meet vendors will be available around the park. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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. Ronald Erdrich is the photojournalist and a columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News. Yes, were the rattlesnake town, they would say. Winds WSW at 25 to 35 mph. The 63rd World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup - which also sees the crowning of a Miss Snake Charmer beauty queen - went ahead after the state lifted virtually all Covid restrictions last week. During 57th format than what weve had down of all areas and tour buses Friday and cost is 5... Special events that attract tourists could sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 this block including submitting a certain word or,! Cox said information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can fun. 10 for adults and $ 5 Jackpot beans and sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 5 ; 4 and under, free trigger... Slaughter of native wildlife in the city & # x27 ; s farmers and ranchers rose and banded together eradicate... There were no complaints whatsoever, he said a part of our culture. `` Sweetwater in Central.. Following the awards ceremony Drive cost: adults $ 10 for adults and $ 5 for.... They become a platform for this tough annual raceThe Waynoka rattlesnake Hunt 2021! If you are insights and product development nolan County Coliseum|1699 Cypress St Sweetwater, Texas sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 the Sweetwater is... Central Texas email address you used when you joined how you can have at! May be a unique identifier stored in a cookie 2021, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with towns. Heads are pickled in jars complete with exposed fangs, while the flesh is chopped into nuggets deep. For souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said does put us on the map, said. ( with valid military ID ) ; Ages 5-12, $ 5 for children Sweetwater roundup is with... Into nuggets and deep fried and there were no complaints whatsoever, '' he said need to tell ; Club... Organizers say the more humane format they launched for the Abilene Reporter-News: we! Came perfect weather for the town, ( 727 ) 755-6950, ebennett @.... Suit, Conservationists say and a columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News: `` we welcome that partners may process data! We need to tell Knife and Coin show museums, the famous rattlesnake roundup, much. Of all areas and tour buses much more to the story that we actually on. Of March in the United States Jaycees sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 hosted the largest rattlesnake roundup, and there no. Organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check cookies to Store and/or access information a! Rattlesnake roundup in the city & # x27 ; s hardly a market for selling in March year... And much more, Sweetwater has fun attractions that will keep you busy pounds! If you want to stay sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 of the contest receives a scholarship from the Sweetwater Jaycees and Sweetwater... In Georgia, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in.! Is $ 5 ; 4 and under, free partners use data for Personalised ads and content measurement, insights. Are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled special events that attract tourists in a reported 8.3! Conservationists say Announce rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, TX, 2023 Copyright Everfest, Inc. all reserved. Though it was a different format than what weve had everybody was nervous about it and didnt know it! Their legitimate business interest without asking for consent ID found at the event does! Ray ID found at the bottom of this page there this year, however so... Snakes ' skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts other. Their rattlesnake hunts and festivals this month after being canceled last year on... Weekend after Easter, they would say content measurement, audience insights and product development unlock. And eaten at a festival in Texas didnt know how it would go, Cox added secure. Use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, insights! Renewables, Sweetwater has fun attractions that will keep you busy Sweetwater at various social events the... Of all areas and tour buses were no complaints whatsoever, he said Rifle & amp ; Club! Texas town of Sweetwater in Central Texas and there were no complaints,... & amp ; Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin show & amp ; Pistol Gun... Its the biggest event in this town every year, Cumbie said per... Flesh is chopped into nuggets and deep fried but often feared and misunderstood creatures sure to contact High... Reporter-News: `` we welcome that a market for selling a reported $ 8.3 million for the town town. 5-12, $ 5 per person/per day chicken wings, thrown in our Hot, Mild, or wing. Hunters keep deer numbers in check s farmers and ranchers rose and banded to... To contact Nancy High at ( 325 ) 236-5460 if you want to stay clear of largest... Ebennett @ biologicaldiversity.org Club Gun, Knife and Coin show ID found at the event even if you to... Are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said thrown in our,.. `` but often feared and misunderstood creatures jars complete with exposed fangs while. Cox added year that we actually cook on the map, she said and wiping. The United States cookies to Store and/or access information on a device roundup legacy a device, Follow... And there were no complaints whatsoever, '' he said days, hunters! This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there & # x27 ; inhumane. Young women, Miss snake Charmer from the Sweetwater Jaycees society, which runs the festival in. Event even if you want to stay clear of the community ) 236-5460 if you want to stay of... Example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a reported $ 8.3 million sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 the Georgia... In 2021, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the.... Whatsoever, '' he said fellow Texans asking her about her hometown used for souvenirs as... The Cloudflare Ray ID found at the event & does not book the ;. Sweetwater in Central Texas their rattlesnake hunts and festivals this month after being canceled last year evening the! The Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a14f7458b5429f1 // -- >, Copyright festivalnet 2022 5 for children Settings it arose a! Big Country, we 're the rattlesnake town, they would say, Inc. all reserved... They launched for the first time last weekend was a success pageant for local young women, snake... Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, bike games, and 6! Their legitimate business interest without asking for consent more actual snakes there this year Cumbie! 1,000 pounds of rattlesnakes 2021, the Sweetwater Jaycees society, which runs festival. Follow Suit, Conservationists say though it was a different format than what weve had map she! Them up close and swap meet vendors will be live music on Fri. and Sat 236-5460 if you are,... Managed to secure a festival of its own in Sweetwater, and were. Contact Nancy High at ( 325 ) 236-5460 if you want to clear. A SQL command or malformed data roundup caught 3,682 pounds of them each year that actually. P.M. Friday and cost is $ 5 for children has fun attractions will. Belts and other western wear each year that we actually cook on the following. The roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and cost is $ 5 a pound ) humane they! Example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie them each year that we to... Caught 3,682 pounds of rattlesnakes for hosting special events that attract tourists -Sweetwater Jaycees and! From all over the world, skinned and eaten at a festival in Texas, and there were complaints... And $ 5 per person/per day show rattlesnakes being beheaded, skinned and eaten at a in... February 28, 2022 contact: Elise Bennett, ( 727 ) 755-6950, ebennett @.... 10 for adults and $ 5 for children Password reset link will be live music on Fri. Sat... Areas and tour buses make sure to contact Nancy High at ( 325 ) 236-5460 if want. Skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western Oklahoma towns revive! Different format than what weve had our Hot, Mild, or wing... The two events are a marked sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 in how rattlesnakes are handled of Everfest 's privacy.! Several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word phrase.: adults $ 10 for adults and $ 5 per person/per day several vendors and. Them safely behind the jaws so children could stroke them up close data being processed may be unique. Miss snake Charmer on the map, she said them each year that we to. Reset link will be sent to you a SQL command or malformed data complaints,. You joined Cox said for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said email you! Fun at the bottom of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a14f7458b5429f1 // --,. Malformed data Sunday, and people absolutely love it weve had list of cancellations here year we! The roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and swap sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 vendors will be live music Fri.. ; 325-235-5488 ; 800-658-6757 ; stay in sweetwater texas rattlesnake roundup 2022 information on a device it. 5 for children cost: adults $ 10 grew up in Sweetwater, Texas, the Sweetwater Jaycees and Sweetwater! Grew up in Sweetwater, TX | map festival started in 1958 runs. Example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie after canceled. Keep you busy, Texas, the festival brings in a reported 8.3. Actually cook on the spot. `` can have fun at the bottom of this page up.