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The Rattlesnake Roundup Lets You Hunt, Cook, and Eat Rattlesnakes
The Sweetwater Jaycees 67th Annual Rattlesnake Roundup is almost here. The roundup takes place at the Nolan County Coliseum and this year will be March 14, 15, and 16, 2025. What is so cool is that this roundup will feature a carnival, parade, food booths, a beauty pageant, daily rattlesnake hunting tours, a barbecue cook-off, Rick Trevino live, nightly dances, a giant flea market, a gun show, and a fried rattlesnake-meat-eating contest, yum yum. The best part is that all the details are listed right here.
Learn About Rattlesnakes Firsthand
The one facet of the roundup I really think is the best part, is the fact that the Jaycees do not miss an opportunity to teach everyone who attends about these slithery creatures. What's most exciting, if you you've got the guts to follow through, is hands-on experience where you go out with the Jaycees on a hunt.
Watch Out for Rattlesnakes in West Texas
If there's one thing certain, the recent West Texas weather has had the rattlesnakes (all snakes for that matter) out looking for food during the "middle of winter" when snakes are supposed to be dormant. We must all be on the lookout for snakes during warmer days in West Texas.
My Personal Experience at the Roundup
The roundup is one of my favorite Big Country events because if you attend you will want to take part. While I never won the snake eating contest, I did get to compete in the cookoff, and placed. Go have fun, and take the kids, it's a great place for them to learn all about snake safety.
Here are Dates/Times for the 2025 Sweetwater Jaycees Rattlesnake Roundup:
Thursday, March 13, 2025
- Rattlesnake Parade: 4:30 pm
- Carnival (All-day pass: $35.00; Weekend pass: $100.00 - sold only on Thursday): 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Miss Snake Charmer Pageant: 7:00 pm
- Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium, 201 East 4th Street. Adults $10, students $5.
Friday, March 14, 2025. Doors open to public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Adults $10, active/retired military $5 (with valid military ID), kids (ages 5-12) $5, kids (4 and under) free.
- 8:00 am-5:00 pm Doors open to the public
- Adults-$10.00
- Active//Retired Military -$5.00 (with valid military ID)
- Kids ages 5-12-$5.00 Children 4 and under are free
- 9 am-6 pm Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Gun, Knife and Coin show Adults-$5.00, Children under 12 free when accompanied by parent
- 10:00 am - Guided Snake Hunt
- 2:00 pm - 12:00 am Carnival
- All day pass - $35.00 (all you can ride) Carnival only
- Tickets - $1.00 each Carnival only
Saturday, March 15, 2025. Doors open to public from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Adults $10, active/retired military $5 (with valid military ID), kids (ages 5-12) $5, kids (4 and under) free.
- Cook Off Competition: 8:00 am
- Gun, Knife & Coin show: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Adults $5.
- Carnival: 10:00 am to 12:00 am
- Guided Hunts: 10:00 am
- Cook Off Awards: 5:00 pm
- Dance at the Jaycees Barn at 307 West 4th Street: 7:00 pm
Sunday, March 16, 2025. Doors open to public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Adults $10, active/retired military $5 (with valid military ID), kids (ages 5-12) $5, kids (4 and under) free.
- Gun, Knife & Coin show: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adults $5.
- Guided Hunts: 10:00 am
- Carnival: 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Snake Eating Competition: 2:00 pm
- Beard contest: 2:30 pm
- Most pounds of snakes: 3:00 pm
- Longest snake: 3:30 pm
Source: Sweetwater Jaycees RattlesnakeRoundUp.net
Contact the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce at 325-235-5488 for more information.
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