Saturday, April 27, 2024
The Oglesby Lions Club will host the 54th annual Rattlesnake Roundup, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Oglesby Community Center.
Admission to the event is five dollars at the door with cash or card as payment, and children under the age of six are free.
The event will feature educational snake demonstrations, a vendor fair, live entertainment, and plenty of activities.
Breakfast will be provided each morning at the community center from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The vendor fair will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, and from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25.
There will be a train ride, tractor pulls, a carriage ride, games, and many more activities, along with a car show and a community blood drive to be held during the day on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Spaces are still available for vendors. To become a vendor, email oglesbyrattlesnake@gmail.com.
World famous snake handler Jackie Bibby, also known as “The Texas Snakeman,” will be present once again to demonstrate his skills when handling and dealing with the venomous snakes. Bibby has spent over 50 years handling rattlesnakes and holds five world records. According to Bibby, he got his start at rattlesnake roundups in Texas.
“I’ve been bitten twelve times over the years,” Bibby said.
Despite the danger, he continues to entertain the crowds with his skills and knowledge.
The time and dates for the live snake demonstrations include:
There will be a concession stand for food and beverages provided by multiple vendors which will include tacos, funnel cakes, snow cones, egg rolls, and more.
Live entertainment will be provided during both days of the event. On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Brazos Valley Cloggers will perform from 10- 11 a.m., and Ed Leonard & Friends will play from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 25, Tell Runyan will perform from 1-4 p.m.
Snake registration will begin at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, and no snakes will be registered after 10 a.m. on Sunday. The fee for registration will cost five dollars and a safety pledge must be signed along with providing a correct hunter’s license.
No professional snake hunters will be allowed.
When the first rattlesnake roundup occurred in 1970, more than 100 snakes were captured by 22 parties of daring snake hunters. The big winner of the day was Ralph Patterson of Levita who received a prize for catching the longest snake and the most pounds of snakes during a two-day hunt. Patterson received a $100 cash prize as well as a couple of trophies.
The event was first created by the Oglesby Lion Club as a fundraiser for the community. The club uses fundraisers to create proceeds, which go back to the community, to the school, and to the Lions Club Eye Bank.
The annual event will be located at the Oglesby Community Center at 118 Main St. in Oglesby.
For further details, contact 469-450-4973 or email oglesbyrattlesnakeroundup@gmail.com.
