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Rattlesnake fest has rodeo roots
By MICHELLE JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, SAN ANTONIO -- The Rattlesnake Festival in San Antonio started out as a rodeo. But because it competed with similar events, it didn't make any money so it was changed to the Rattlesnake Round-Up. This weekend, the festival happens for the 35th time. "The Jaycees banded together to promote local activities in San Antonio and they decided to have a rodeo," said 90-year-old Joe Herrmann, a native of the small community near Saint Leo University. "There were rodeos in Arcadia, Kissimmee and Ocala the same weekend, so the crowds would go to the more established ones instead of here." The first year of the event, men would go out in the woods and flatlands around the community and catch rattlesnakes and deliver them in croaker sacks. "They never got more than a few," said Herrmann. "And, then they (the snakes) would be sold to Ross Allen in Ocala and to some man in the Panhandle." This year the event is expected to bring in more than 2,200 people over the two-day festival held in the City Park on the square in San Antonio. Admission and most of the activities are free. The snake show provided by Snakes Alive in Tampa will be one of the few things that cost money. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children. Shows are every couple of hours both days. Dennis Moore and his wife, Carol, entertain the audience and educate the public about snakes. In addition to the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Moore will introduce the audience to pythons, boas and to other slithering critters. In 1984, the festival sponsors, Rattlesnake and Gopher Enthusiasts Inc. (RAGE), stopped the rounding up of snakes because of environmental concerns. Back in the early days of the festival, people would be paid money for the longest snake. "I always thought the photo they had of several men holding a snake 20 feet long used a fake snake," Herrmann said. "Six feet long is about the longest snake found around here." The photo he spoke of is on the festival's Web site. One of the festival moneymakers Herrmann remembered is the T-shirt concession. Beginning in 1976, he sold T-shirts for $5 apiece. "One year I sold 3,400 of them," he said. "Every year for 15 years the T-shirts had the same snake design, but different colors. When the (designs changed) the T-shirts didn't sell as well." But snakes aren't all the festival is about. The event features gopher races using wooden gopher tortoise replicas, arts and crafts for sale, a fish fry and barbecue and other foods, free children's games, a petting farm, entertainment, and a 5-mile run, 1-mile fun run and a 3K heart walk. There is also a golf tournament associated with the festival. This year a reptile show has been added to the entertainment. John Storm and his World of Reptiles Show will feature a crocodile, an alligator, a snapping turtle, a gopher tortoise and several types of lizards. Admission to the 30-minute show is $4 for adults and $2 for children. Among other entertainment scheduled is Tom Glasgow and his Wild West Show, Dennis Devine, David Beaumont, Time Warp, Foothill Bluegrass, Lance Lazomby and Brenda Robinson. On Sunday, gospel music is the focus of the entertainment. Other entertainment includes performances by Rainelle Baumbaugh, several groups of cloggers, Megan Bridwell and the Showstoppers. Mike Harper and the Doug Peterson Trio will also perform. For information, check the festival's Web site at www.rattlesnakefestival.com or call (352) 588-4444. -- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 909-4612. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com. If you goRattlesnake Festival Where: San Antonio, off of State Road 52, east of Interstate 75 and west of Dade City. When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: Admission to the festival is free, but shows cost $4 for adults and $2 for children.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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