Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-Up promoted at Texas Capitol

Cody Cox of the Sweetwater Jaycees displays a western diamondback rattlesnake at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13–15 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.

Live rattlesnakes drew attention inside the Texas Capitol as members of the Sweetwater Jaycees promoted the upcoming World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, an annual festival held each March in Sweetwater. The group brought more than 20 western diamondback rattlesnakes to Austin to promote the 68th year of the event.

Founded in 1958 by local farmers and ranchers, the Round-Up began as an attempt to reduce rattlesnake populations that threatened livestock in West Texas. Over time, it evolved into a major regional attraction that combines wildlife demonstrations, civic traditions and fundraising for local charities.

Today, the multi-day event includes guided snake hunts, public weigh-ins, snake handling and milking demonstrations, a downtown parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, and food vendors serving fried rattlesnake meat. Each spring, the festival draws visitors from across Texas and beyond, making it one of Sweetwater’s most recognizable traditions.

A member of the Sweetwater Jaycees shows a western diamondback rattlesnake to visitors at the Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. The group brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13–15 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.

Western diamondback rattlesnakes slither on the outdoor rotunda at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13–15 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.

Rebecca Martinez of Jacksonville poses for a photo with a western diamondback rattlesnake at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13–15 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.

Cody Cox of the Sweetwater Jaycees displays a western diamondback rattlesnake at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13–15 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.

A western diamondback rattlesnake is seen on the outdoor rotunda at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13–15 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.

Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees put away western diamondback rattlesnake after displaying them at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13–15 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.