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Writer's pictureJack L

Gearing up for The Rattlesnake Roundup (2024)



This year I will be attending the 68th Annual Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in the small west Texas town of Sweetwater.

In 1951, the farmers of this small town gathered rattlesnakes to protect their livestock. Little did they know that this initiative would evolve into a full-fledged festival spanning 68 years, featuring a flea market, cook-off, and the iconic rattlesnake pit.

This year will mark the 6th Annual Lions Club Cruise and Car Show, which takes place on March 8th and 9th, and is something I'm looking forward to attending.

Due to work reasons I will sadly miss out on the parade and a few of the earlier events, but I am determined to remain an active throughout the remainder of the event. Stay tuned as I explore this year’s Rattlesnake Roundup and share my perspective on the festival and the undeniable spirit that defines this West Texas tradition.

The Schedule for the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup, along with other information, can be found on the Sweetwater Jaycees Website and I will add them at the bottom of this post as well as including the Lions Club Cruise and Car Show schedule sprinkled in. Luckily the Worlds Largest Rattlesnake Roundup is a four day event and you should reasonably be able to experience everything there is to offer as long as you can get in before Thursday afternoon. This year is going to be a fun one at the Roundup and I look foward to posting as much of the experience as I can to you guys when all is said and done.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

  • 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

  • Located at the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium, 201 East 4th Street

Friday, March 8, 2024

  • 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

  • 9:00 am - 6:00 pm: The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife, and Coin show

  • Adults - $5.00

  • Children under 12 free when accompanied by parent

  • 10:00 am: Guided 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

  • 4:15 pm: Cruise Registration @ Higginbotham Brothers 1210 Broadway (Lions Club Car Show)

  • 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Cruise Downtown Sweetwater (Lions Club Car Show)

Saturday, March 9, 2024

  • 7:30 am: Car Show Registration @ Marqueza Special Event Center 301 Oak St

  • 8:00 am - 6:00 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

  • 8:00 am: Cookoff (Sanctioned by LSBS)

  • 8:45 am: Welcome Ceremony & National Anthem (Lions Club Car Show)

  • 9:00 am: Lions Club Car Show Begins

  • 9:00 am - 6:00 pm: The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife, and Coin show

  • Adults - $5.00

  • Children under 12 free when accompanied by parent

  • 10:00 am: Guided Hunts

  • 10:00 am - 12:00 am: Carnival

  • All-day pass - $35.00 (all you can ride) Carnival only

  • Tickets - $1.00 each Carnival only

  • 1:00 pm: Pedal Car Races & Hot Wheels Races (Lions Club Car Show)

  • 3:00 pm: Raffle Drawings and Awards begin (Lions Club Car Show)

  • 5:00 pm: Cookoff Awards

  • 7:00 pm: Dance at the Jaycee Barn, 307 West 4th

Sunday, March 10, 2024

  • 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

  • 9:00 am - 4:00 pm: The Sweetwater Rifle & Pistol Club Gun, Knife, and Coin show

  • Adults - $5.00

  • Children under 12 free when accompanied by parent

  • 10:00 am: Guided Hunts

  • 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Carnival

  • All-day pass - $35.00 (all you can ride) Carnival only

  • Tickets - $1.00 each Carnival only

  • 2:00 pm: Snake eating contest

  • 2:30 pm: Beard contest

  • 3:00 pm: Most pounds of snakes

  • 3:30 pm: Longest snake

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