The Duncan Banner

Local News

March 31, 2009

Snake festival continues

Waurika to host 48th annual event

Jeff Kaley

When you’ve done something well for 47 years, the question becomes: Why mess up a good thing?

That’s why the itinerary of events for the 48th Fangtastic Waurika Rattlesnake Hunt will sound familiar to hometown folks and thousands of visitors, who’ll take part in the three-day salute to serpents that runs April 10-12.

The schedule of events won’t deviate much from the format that’s worked well since the hunt weekend became a major fundraiser for the Waurika Volunteer Fire Department.

On April 9, dozens of vendors will begin setting up shop and Sam’s Amusements will start erecting the midway that opens at 6 p.m. April 10.

In addition to the carnival and vendors, on Friday night there will be live music at the Chandelier Club.

Things intensify on April 11, when the day opens with registration for guided snake hunts that begin at 8 a.m. and continue until mid-day on April 12.

Participants in the 5K run/walk hosted by Jefferson County Helping Hands can begin registering at 8 a.m. Saturday, with the starting gun at First Farmers National Bank sounding at 9 a.m.

The annual event is open to runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels.

The Butcher Shoppe, operated by the fire department, opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the first show by James White and the Outlaw Handlers is at 10 a.m. Their feats of daring and courage, in a pit filled with live rattlesnakes, resume on Sunday.

There’s the first of two snake-sacking contests at mid-afternoon Saturday, with the finals of that testy contest to be held on Sunday afternoon.

There will also be a second night of live music Saturday at Chandelier Club.

On Sunday, winners will be announced in various contests that go hand-in-hand with the snake hunts. More than $725 in prizes will be awarded, with lucky hunters able to cash in for the longest snake, the snake with the most rattlers and the four “marked” snakes that are hiding out at the hunt site.

There’s also a contest for the three shortest snakes brought in, with plaques going to the hunters discovering the “pee wees.”

For information on the 48th Fangtastic Waurika Snake Hunt, call 580-228-2553 or visit the Web site at www.rattlesnakehunt.com.

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