Bubba-Joe
03-07-2007, 03:18 PM
Annual Round-Up kicks off Thursday
Written by Ben Barkley
It is never too early to begin thinking about the events at the Sweetwater Jaycees World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup.
The 49th annual Round-Up will be held March 9-11 at the Nolan County Coliseum complex, and several events will be held.
Once again, the Jaycees will sponsor the hunt for the most pounds and largest rattlesnake. The registration cost is $15 per person and $25 per team. All hunters must have a valid Texas snakehunter’s license to sell snakes to the Jaycees during the Round-Up.
Trophies and prize money will be awarded to the overall snake hunters based on the total pounds of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes turned in to the Jaycees during the Round-Up weekend only.
The prize money includes $800 for first place, $700 for second place, $600 for third place, $500 for fourth place and $400 for fifth place.
The top five places will also receive a plaque.
An additional $400 will be paid to the person with the longest Western Diamondback Rattlesnake turned in to the Jaycees. A minimum of 100 pounds must be turned in to enter the “longest snake contest,” and it must be a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
There will be a $300 prize awarded for a Round-Up record breaker. The longest snake recorded in 2006 was 80 inches. The record is 84 inches.
Also during the Round-Up, visitors can sign up for a guided hunt. The cost is $75 per person, per day. This includes hunter registration.
Hunters are taken out on private ranch land during the weekend. This land is for Jaycee use only during the weekend.
Reservations for special Thursday guided hunts can be made by calling the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce. Jaycee officials said the payment must accompany the reservation.
“For your convenience, snake hooks and tongs will be available for rental at hunter registration,” officials said.
Away from the snakes, the Jaycees will sponsor the 17th annual Brisket/Chili Cook-Off. The cook-off will be held Saturday, March 10, and is expected to draw more than 100 teams.
“This is a great event to go along with our Round-Up,” officials said. “You should see some of the greatest looking cooking pits and taste the superb entries.”
Entry fees are $125 for all categories, including rattlesnake; $25 for CASI chili only; and $25 for rattlesnake only. The rattlesnake meat will be provided.
CASI rules will be used for chili. WTBC rules will be used for brisket, ribs, chicken and the world champion rattlesnake meat.
Rattlesnake will be used as the tiebreaker in case of a tie.
In conjunction with the Round-Up, other groups hold fundraisers during the weekend.
The Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club will sponsor the 47th annual Gun, Knife and Coin Show. The show will be held in the annex building during the Round-Up weekend.
Collections and displays of rare guns, coins and knives will be available. Small, high quality related and western items are permitted. Admission for the show is $5.
The Sweetwater Lions Club will offer visitors a chance for two different flea markets — one next to the coliseum and an outside flea market across from the armory building. Vendors will offer everything from collectibles and gifts to food.
The Caprock Girl Scout Council will sponsor the 10th annual dessert contest and 13th annual salsa challenge. Both events will be held Saturday, March 10.
The guidelines for the contests include an entry fee of $10 per entry and the the entries are responsible for all supplies and ingredients.
Desserts and salsa should not be prepared prior to entry information is obtained. All desserts must be prepared on site (cook off locations may be used).
Desserts will be submitted by 3 p.m. in the containers provided. There should be at least six servings and winners will be announced at 5 p.m. The salsa must be submitted by 1 p.m. in two containers provided by officials. The winners will be announced by 5 p.m.
The dessert categories include cakes, cobblers, pies, miscellaneous desserts and best overall dessert.
The salsa categories are most unique, hottest, mildest, people’s choice and best overall salsa.
Written by Ben Barkley
It is never too early to begin thinking about the events at the Sweetwater Jaycees World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup.
The 49th annual Round-Up will be held March 9-11 at the Nolan County Coliseum complex, and several events will be held.
Once again, the Jaycees will sponsor the hunt for the most pounds and largest rattlesnake. The registration cost is $15 per person and $25 per team. All hunters must have a valid Texas snakehunter’s license to sell snakes to the Jaycees during the Round-Up.
Trophies and prize money will be awarded to the overall snake hunters based on the total pounds of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes turned in to the Jaycees during the Round-Up weekend only.
The prize money includes $800 for first place, $700 for second place, $600 for third place, $500 for fourth place and $400 for fifth place.
The top five places will also receive a plaque.
An additional $400 will be paid to the person with the longest Western Diamondback Rattlesnake turned in to the Jaycees. A minimum of 100 pounds must be turned in to enter the “longest snake contest,” and it must be a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
There will be a $300 prize awarded for a Round-Up record breaker. The longest snake recorded in 2006 was 80 inches. The record is 84 inches.
Also during the Round-Up, visitors can sign up for a guided hunt. The cost is $75 per person, per day. This includes hunter registration.
Hunters are taken out on private ranch land during the weekend. This land is for Jaycee use only during the weekend.
Reservations for special Thursday guided hunts can be made by calling the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce. Jaycee officials said the payment must accompany the reservation.
“For your convenience, snake hooks and tongs will be available for rental at hunter registration,” officials said.
Away from the snakes, the Jaycees will sponsor the 17th annual Brisket/Chili Cook-Off. The cook-off will be held Saturday, March 10, and is expected to draw more than 100 teams.
“This is a great event to go along with our Round-Up,” officials said. “You should see some of the greatest looking cooking pits and taste the superb entries.”
Entry fees are $125 for all categories, including rattlesnake; $25 for CASI chili only; and $25 for rattlesnake only. The rattlesnake meat will be provided.
CASI rules will be used for chili. WTBC rules will be used for brisket, ribs, chicken and the world champion rattlesnake meat.
Rattlesnake will be used as the tiebreaker in case of a tie.
In conjunction with the Round-Up, other groups hold fundraisers during the weekend.
The Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club will sponsor the 47th annual Gun, Knife and Coin Show. The show will be held in the annex building during the Round-Up weekend.
Collections and displays of rare guns, coins and knives will be available. Small, high quality related and western items are permitted. Admission for the show is $5.
The Sweetwater Lions Club will offer visitors a chance for two different flea markets — one next to the coliseum and an outside flea market across from the armory building. Vendors will offer everything from collectibles and gifts to food.
The Caprock Girl Scout Council will sponsor the 10th annual dessert contest and 13th annual salsa challenge. Both events will be held Saturday, March 10.
The guidelines for the contests include an entry fee of $10 per entry and the the entries are responsible for all supplies and ingredients.
Desserts and salsa should not be prepared prior to entry information is obtained. All desserts must be prepared on site (cook off locations may be used).
Desserts will be submitted by 3 p.m. in the containers provided. There should be at least six servings and winners will be announced at 5 p.m. The salsa must be submitted by 1 p.m. in two containers provided by officials. The winners will be announced by 5 p.m.
The dessert categories include cakes, cobblers, pies, miscellaneous desserts and best overall dessert.
The salsa categories are most unique, hottest, mildest, people’s choice and best overall salsa.