Rattlesnakes are fascinating, beautiful, but often feared and misunderstood creatures. Sweetwater, TX (79556) Today. 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. Theres even a pageant for local young women, Miss Snake Charmer. var hostname = "FestivalNet.com"; Extra measures included hand sanitizer and regular wiping down of all areas and tour buses. This year's winner, Avery Schiffner, 16, greeted festival-goers with a live rattlesnake coiled round her neck. This website uses cookies to provide our visitors with a great user experience. A mix of light freezing rain and sleet this morning.then cloudy late. We have plenty of outdoor space for more vendors to enjoy the 65th World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup right here in Sweetwater, TX. Sweetwater has some amazing attractions hosted throughout the year! This does put us on the map, she 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. We want everybody to come and see us and see what we're doing.". In Texas, the Sweetwater roundup is intertwined with the towns culture and draws visitors from all over the world. All rights reserved. This does put us on the map, she 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. 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. 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. 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. If it's the second weekend in March, that means it's time for the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. They are also the victims of the largest public slaughter of native wildlife in the United States. But on the first weekend after Easter, they become a platform for this tough annual raceThe Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt. A Georgia rattler roundup no longer kills the animals but Texas town of Sweetwater is proud of its tradition. 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 Join Festivalnet.com now to unlock additional details,