In Brandon, hot air balloons rise. In Tampa, pirates plunder. But rattlesnakes rule in San Antonio. Especially during the 37th annual Rattlesnake Festival next weekend.
The festival started as a rodeo, but because of competition from other rodeos in the region, it evolved into a rattlesnake roundup with prizes going to the person who caught the longest snake.
In 1984, they stopped bagging rattlesnakes and started using shows and exhibits to spotlight reptiles indigenous to the area.
Snake shows by Snakes Alive and World of Reptiles, arts and crafts, taste-tempting barbecue and fried fish dinners draw people from all over the state.
Popular activities include games for children, educational exhibits, a petting zoo and gopher races using wooden replicas of the real critters.
Entertainment this year includes Devine and LaRoche, Lance Lazonby, Gadjo, New Sand Mountain Wildcats and Beaumont.
37th annual Rattlesnake Festival
Where: San Antonio City Square, Pasco County. Take Interstate 75 north to the Dade City exit, go east and follow the signs. (352) 588-4444.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19.
Cost: Free admission and parking. Snakes Alive and World of Reptiles each cost $4 for adults and $2 for children.
