In springtime, the rattlesnakes come out to play in Texas, and, believe it or not, Texans jump right in and start playing with them. Rattlesnake roundups, held throughout the state from February through April each year, celebrate the scaly varmints with all sorts of snake-related contests, crafts, stunts and even rattlesnake cuisine, where, for a change, you get to bite them before they bite you.
In the south Texas town of Freer, where rattlers are said to outnumber people, the biggest event of the year is the annual Rattlesnake Roundup. This event features a carnival, a parade, live music, daredevil snake handlers and lots of yummy fried snake meat. Brownwood's Rattlesnake Roundup takes place in conjunction with the Lone Star Fair and Expo, which has been held for over 50 years. It also has a carnival, music and a snake handler, as well as a "longest snake" contest and real Texas rattlesnake chili. In San Patricio, the St. Patrick's Day Weekend means one thing: World Champion Rattlesnake Races. All entrants are welcome, and you can either round up your own rattler to bring, or the event sponsors will be happy to supply you with a loaner snake.
Deep in the heart of Texas, rattlers are plentiful, and there are no fewer than four annual roundups to corral the ornery critters. The Walnut Springs Rattlesnake Roundup features a carnival, snake handlers and a "snake dance" where people, not snakes, do the dancing. In Lometa, the Diamondback Rattlesnake Jubilee combines a rodeo with a snake display and a snake buyer who pays a bounty for each rattler brought in. Taylor hosts the National Rattlesnake Sacking Championship where extremely brave and/or crazy people compete to see who can stuff 10 snakes into a burlap bag in the shortest time, while Round Rock is home to the newly organized Texas Rattlesnake Festival, an event where rattlers are celebrated and not a one is killed.
Oglesby, in North Texas, has a Rattlesnake Roundup sponsored by the local Lions Club. The event features a barbecue and live bands, but the highlight is the weigh-in where the hunter bringing in the most snakes wins a prize in addition to the bounty paid per pound. Prizes are also given for longest and shortest rattlers. In the small West Texas town of Big Spring, there's also a rattlesnake weigh-in and bounty payout, and you can watch snake venom being milked or nibble fried rattlesnake doused in ranch dressing.
The granddaddy of all Texas rattler roundups is the one which has been in Sweetwater every year since 1958, and now bills itself as the world's largest such event. It kicks off with a parade and a beauty pageant where the coveted crown of Miss Snake Charmer is awarded, and also features a guided rattlesnake hunt as well as a daily snake weigh-in. The entertainment includes snake handling demonstrations and a rattlesnake-eating contest, although there are also brisket and chili-cooking contests and a street dance for those herpetophobes who prefer to keep their distance from the creepy creatures.
