Rattlesnake Derby

This weekend was the Magum, OK Rattlesnake Derby. It is a huge fair featuring the western diamondback rattlesnake found in the area. They start catching rattlesnakes for the event in March for the derby. They sew the mouth of a rattlesnake shut so you can get a picture with it, which Dean and I did not go for. They also have a couple of booths featuring rattlesnake products: rattlesnake skins, rattlesnake head keychains, whole rattlesnakes stuffed by a taxidermist, etc.

This also a cafe featuring rattlesnake meat which did not sound appetizing. They also have an area set up where you can watch them butcher rattlesnakes which Dean watched. I peeked in for a second and did not like what I saw so I waited while Dean watched the whole process from start to finish. There was also a snake pit. They get hundreds of snakes and put them in a pit enclosed by glass. Snake handlers walk around in the pit and 'play' with the snakes and answer questions.

It was cool to see once, but creepy enough that I don't know if I want to see again.