The Whigham Rattlesnake Roundup is a unique event that takes place in Whigham, Georgia, every year. It's a celebration of the community's heritage and a way to raise funds for local charities.
The event has been running for over 60 years, with its first occurrence dating back to 1959. It's a testament to the community's dedication to preserving their traditions.
The roundup attracts visitors from all over the world, with some traveling from as far as Europe and Australia. It's a great opportunity for people to experience the local culture firsthand.
The event features a variety of activities, including a rattlesnake hunt, a snake milking demonstration, and a snake handling competition.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Rattlesnake Roundup in Texas
What is Roundup?
The Rattlesnake Roundup is a unique event that brings together snake hunters and enthusiasts in Whigham, Georgia. It's a big deal for the community, and it's been happening for a while.
The Roundup starts with snake hunters combing through Grady County's wooded areas, searching for the three types of snakes commonly caught: Pigmy, Timber, and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes. These snakes thrive in Whigham's longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem.
Check this out: Roundup Dog Safety
Snake hunters use long rods with nooses or hooks to catch the snakes, or they'll grab them by hand if they're experienced enough. The snakes are then placed in burlap bags and wooden boxes to be transported to the festival grounds.
The festival grounds are where the real excitement happens, with the snakes being released from their containers and the crowd going wild as they hear the rattling sounds. It's a thrilling experience, and the prizes awarded to the hunters who catch the most and heaviest snakes are a big draw.
Georgia Rattlesnake Roundup
The Georgia Rattlesnake Roundup is a significant event in Whigham, Georgia. It began in 1960 by the Whigham Community Club to benefit the area and Grady County.
The event takes place at the Rattlesnake Roundup Grounds on U.S. 84, making it easily accessible by car.
On a similar theme: Rattlesnake Roundup Cruelty
Location
Whigham, the site of the Georgia Rattlesnake Roundup, is conveniently located just a short drive from several major cities. It's less than an hour north of Tallahassee, Florida.
You can also easily reach Whigham from Bainbridge, Georgia, which is just 20 minutes east. If you're planning a trip from Thomasville, Georgia, you'll find Whigham about 30 miles west.
The event takes place at the Rattlesnake Roundup Grounds on U.S. 84.
2011 Georgia Roundup
The 2011 Georgia Roundup was a huge success, attracting over 20,000 attendees from across the country.
The event took place in Fitzgerald, Georgia, on March 18-20, 2011, and featured a variety of activities, including a rattlesnake hunt, a live music stage, and a carnival.
The rattlesnake hunt was a major draw, with over 2,000 snakes collected during the event.
The snakes were then sold to the public, with some individuals purchasing as many as 20 snakes at a time.
The event raised over $100,000 for the local community, with proceeds going towards various charitable organizations.
The Georgia Roundup is a beloved tradition in the state, with many attendees returning year after year.
Controversy
The Whigham rattlesnake roundup has been a topic of controversy for years.
The event has been criticized for promoting the killing of eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, the largest rattlesnake in the world.
The Center for Biological Diversity has been opposing the roundup for years, presenting the Whigham Community Club with a petition of more than 50,000 signatures asking that the roundup be replaced by a wildlife festival where no snakes are killed.
The roundup targets a few dozen eastern diamondback rattlesnakes each year, which is not a large number, but still a concern for conservationists.
The technique of gassing burrows to push snakes out, while illegal, is still done in some cases, leading to declines in tortoises, indigo snakes, and rattlesnakes.
The event is the last of its kind in Georgia, and other counties and towns have opted for festivals that display captive rattlesnakes for education instead.
Whigham isn't alone in Southern snake cruelty events - Opp, Ala. holds its own "rattlesnake rodeo" every April.
You might like: Are Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes Endangered
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the world's largest Rattlesnake Roundup held?
The world's largest Rattlesnake Roundup is held in Sweetwater, a city in Texas, USA. This annual event attracts thousands of visitors and features snake handling, hunting, and other activities.
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