FNdocumentWrite("") If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. 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. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. 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. Free patch & pin with pre-registration by 4-04-2020. A mix of light freezing rain and sleet this morning.then cloudy late. (Courtney Sacco/Odessa American via AP, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox said. 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. Then came perfect weather for the one-day Georgia show, and there were no complaints whatsoever, he said. //-->, Copyright FestivalNet 2022. The hungriest competitors went head to head in the eating contest. 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. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her hometown. Everfest stands in solidarity with the Black community and supports the fight for justice and equality. of chicken wings, thrown in our Hot, Mild, or Inferno wing sauce. Last year's roundup was seen as a "last hurrah" before many states including Texas imposed emergency coronavirus measures and large gatherings were banned. Addie Gedea; Mar 12, 2022 Mar 12, 2022 Updated Mar 12, 2022; Comments; . 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.. 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. A contestant at the Miss Snake Charmer pageant poses at the 2021 rattlesnake roundup. But there is much more to the story that we need to tell. 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. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. This website uses cookies to provide our visitors with a great user experience. 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. Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; Ridin . 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 If it's the second weekend in March, that means it's time for the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. Nolan County Coliseum|1699 Cypress St, Sweetwater, TX | Map. We encourage you to join us and consider supporting the Austin Justice Coalition or the organization leading the ongoing movement for accountability and change in your community. This is a major attraction that people from all over the world come to for the 2nd full weekend in March every year. This year, however, so many snakes were rounded up that there's hardly a market for selling. After seeing firsthand what goes on in Sweetwater every year, we know there is a better way. The snakes skins will eventually show up on cowboy boots, belts and other western wear. Activists hope that change such as those made by the Whigham Rattlesnake Roundup will inspire others to follow in their. Rattlesnakes are symbols of freedom and independence; teaching that snakes are scary and useless minimizes their significance in our cultural and ecological heritage.. Windy with partly cloudy skies. It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking livestock, pets and people, organizers say. Service to humanity, is the best work of life. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. Several vendors, and swap meet vendors will be available around the park. 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. Gates open at noon Friday and cost is $5 per person/per day. . Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. NOLAN COUNTY COLISEUM Sweetwater, TX Terry Locklar General Manager - Marketing Director 220 Coliseum Drive. Your IP: The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the town's culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Thousands of people,. The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show Adults: $5 Up to age 12: Free with. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. Cookerregistration is $80 or $25 ea. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Rattles are used for souvenirs, as are the heads, Cumbie said. 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. 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. Hes the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. 810 E Broadway P.O. All rights reserved. Waurika and Waynoka will hold their rattlesnake festivals next weekend. Rattlesnake roundups take 2 different approaches, drawing praise and scorn. Nolan County Coliseum1699 Cypress St Sweetwater, TX, 2023 Copyright Everfest, Inc. All rights reserved. I'd love to have that discussion. They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. Children watched in awe as handlers tipped buckets of venomous snakes into a writhing pit. Meat judges are needed, so feel free to volunteer. With two historical museums, the famous rattlesnake roundup, and much more, Sweetwater has fun attractions that will keep you busy! Must be an Everfest PRO member to view contact info. Thousands of people, including families with young kids, flocked to take part in festivities this weekend at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, Texas. 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. Adults: $5. Mar 7, 2022 / . Courtesy photo The Sweetwater Jaycee's famed Rattlesnake Roundup is set for March 11-14 at Nolan County Coliseum, where just west of Abilene this weekend, scores of snake wranglers will risk a . Its the biggest event in this town every year, Cumbie said. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com. For more information, please contact. Yes, we're the rattlesnake town, they would say. Thousands of rattlesnakes are bagged up to be put on display in the snake pits. There was also a guided hunt on the outskirts of town, a carnival parade and a gun show. Handlers grabbed them safely behind the jaws so children could stroke them up close. 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. This does put us on the map, she said. Restrooms and free warm showers are available. "We have a family that comes from Australia. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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 . Check out the schedule of events below: Thursday March 10 4:30 Rattlesnake Parade It began 64 years ago to keep snakes from overtaking the town and attacking . This is the start of their holiday weekend. There will be live music on Fri. and Sat. 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. Click to reveal Come join the fun and check it out. All Rights Reserved. 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 Sweetwater Jaycees society, which runs the festival, said they were thrilled it could go ahead after a year of uncertainty. Festival information may not be up to date due to COVID-19, but you can view our list of cancellations here. 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 Exact attendance figures are unknown because many people such as children are admitted free, but I've 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. 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. Sweetwater Jaycees Announce Rattlesnake Roundup Media Day; City Council Hears . 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. Center for Biological Diversity: Largest Remaining Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, Should Follow Suit, Conservationists Say. Sweetwater, Plans for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup this weekend in the Texas town of Sweetwater are full-steam ahead, with snakes set to be skinned and others milked of their venom. Karen Hunt grew up in Sweetwater, and recalls fellow Texans asking her about her home town. 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 A bike show, bike games, and raffles, will happen later on the evening following the awards ceremony. All rights reserved. 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. Rounding Up Sweetwater started out as a short student film project to capture the worlds largest rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, Texas. Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. Visitors and news crews from around the nation and the globe frequently are seen perusing the snake pits at Nolan County Coliseum. The Hunt custom dates back to the 1940s when local farmers suffered from snakes attacking their livestock. 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. 209.239.116.57 The event is a fundraiser for local youth programs. 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. You 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. We want everybody to come and see us and see what we're doing.". If its the second weekend in March, that means its time for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. Team Calcutta-50% payback. The 64th Annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up will take place on March 11, 12, 13 2022 at The Nolan County Coliseum, . He's the chairman of the milking pit, where venom is extracted and then used to develop various drugs for a range of illnesses. Everybody was nervous about it and didnt know how it would go, Cox added. Theres even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. The move ends Georgia's inhumane rattlesnake roundup legacy. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show. We learn how you can have fun at the event even if you want to stay clear of the snakes. Dates: March 10th - 12th, 2023. The roundup closes at 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday. Join Now: Vendors | Artists | Already PRO? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. 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. var linktext = username + "@" + hostname; 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. Oklahoma. Ronald Erdrich is the photojournalist and a columnist for the Abilene Reporter-News. 70% payback. Back row Left to right: Del Riley, Blake Stephens, David Sager, Miss Texas, Mallory Fuller, Chris Thomas, Dee Thomas, Cody Cox. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a14f7458b5429f1 There will be live music on Fri. and Sat. Get In Touch. 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. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. . FREER, Texas - The largest festival of the year in one South Texas city took a deadly turn after a . A poker run is scheduled for Saturday morning with the cook-off beginning at 9:00. What it does for our community is give us a sense of place.. GRUESOME pictures show rattlesnakes being beheaded, skinned and eaten at a festival in Texas. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. And teenage girls vied to be crowned Miss Snake Charmer. Historically, the first rattlesnake Roundup kicked off in 1958, at Sweetwater, Texas, U.S. Active/retired military, $5 (with valid military ID); Ages 5-12, $5; 4 and under, free.. Windy with lots of sunshine. 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. Visitors from Europe, New Zealand and Japan have been regulars at the show in past years, alongside locals in ten-gallon hats. Copyright 2022 KCBD. Rather, organizers liken snake hunting to how other hunters keep deer numbers in check. The two events are a marked contrast in how rattlesnakes are handled. var username = "info"; Rattlesnakes are fascinating, beautiful, but often feared and misunderstood creatures. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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