Okay folks needless to say that I went to the redneck convention of all conventions on Saturday in Claxton, GA (actually it was in a small town called Hagan) and it was an adventure.
What exactly is a rattlesnake roundup? Well a group of guys go around southern Georgia and take rattlesnakes hostage and put on a show to release all of their venom for medical research. There must have been well over 100 snakes with the ranging from three feet long to well over seven feet long and HUGE.
There was also a crap load of craft junk and rattlesnake wallets, belts, hats, and anything else that you can put rattlesnake skin on. Did I mention also every type of junk food as well with funnel cakes, hot dogs, corn dogs, cotton candy, fried mushrooms, and countless other greasy food.
All in all it was an adventure and Riley liked seeing the big rattlesnakes.
By the way here is an excerpt from the Claxton Chamber of Commerce on this event:
The Claxton Rattlesnake Roundup began in 1968. We were inspired to respond to a local incident which occurred during the summer of 1967. A local youth, David Wiggins was bitten by an Eastern Diamond back Rattlesnake while gathering vegetables on a farm in Evans County. David survived the bite with competent medical attention. His recovery took twelve months leaving him with lingering side effects. Rattlers were and are today common throughout the woods and farms in this area. In February, 1968, in an effort to reduce the population and educate the community of the dangers of the poisonous snakes, we launched the first Rattlesnake Roundup in Evans County. The event has grown each year and has recently been re-located from the two tobacco warehouses to the Evans Wildlife Club’s Facility in the Claxton-Evans Industrial Park. The club purchased 40 acres of land from the Industrial Authority and erected a 70' x 200' multi-purpose building along with two 50' x 70' open air structures. The move has proved to be a very positive venture for the wildlife club and we have been able to accommodate festival goers and venders in excess of 20,000 over the two-day event. Dedicated Club members saw the need to proceed with the roundup and have worked very hard to make it the success it is today. While the club enjoys the Spring-time events, we also hold meetings year-round to discus the ever growing issues of conservation and protection of our wildlife resources. Many of our members thoroughly enjoy the outdoors and are avid hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. It is our goal to promote education and safety while enjoying the great outdoors. We take very active roles in building the community in which we live and supporting a number of charities that wish to do the same.
