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Entertainment
Fest offers food, all that slithers
By MICHELLE JONES
Published October 14, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - Years ago when the Rattlesnake Festival began, men used to go into the woods and flatlands in search of the biggest rattlesnake. They would bring back their catch in croaker sacks. And organizers would race live gopher tortoises.
Today, no one hunts snakes, and the endangered tortoises are safe in their holes. But the fun still continues.
Since 1967, people have visited this small community, between Interstate 75 and Dade City off State Road 52, to view exhibits, peruse and buy arts and crafts in the 100 booths surrounding the park, and eat barbecue on Saturday and fried fish on Sunday. Other cuisine includes corn on the cob, sausage sandwiches, boiled peanuts, hot dogs and ice cream. On Sunday fish dinners include hush puppies, baked beans, grits and cole slaw.
And, yes, there will still be snakes.
Both days, John Storms brings an assortment of reptiles, including rattlesnakes, to educate and entertain in his World of Reptiles Show. The cost is $4 for adults and $2 for children younger than 12.
The live tortoises have been replaced by mechanical ones, which are guided down a track with a rope-and-pulley system. The cost is $1 to enter.
But the children's games - pedal tractor race, egg toss, sack race and sponge throwing contest - are free.
There is a lot of free entertainment, too.
Devine and LaRoche, Beaumont, and Harold Thomas and the Flatwood Drifters will entertain as well as Foothill Bluegrass, Frank Thomas and Chris Mayberry. A 4x4 Show by the Sunshine Swampers is set for Saturday, and on Sunday there will be a classic car show.
Organized by RAGE, the Rattlesnake and Gopher Enthusiasts Inc., this event promises finger-licking favorites, rocking music and lots of snakes.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Rattlesnake Festival.
WHEN: 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. WHERE: San Antonio City Park, off State Road 52, west of Dade City.
COST: Free parking and admission.
ON THE WEB: www.rattlesnakefestival.com
[Last modified October 14, 2005, 01:41:14]
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