OGLESBY, Texas — “We’re going to show you what happens when you mix crazy people and rattle snakes together,” snake handler Jackie Bibby said.
It's an event hundreds of people attend each year.
The 54 annual Rattlesnake Roundup was bigger this year than ever before.
Snake handler Jackie Bibby has been wrangling rattlers for more than 50 years. It still brings him joy.
“The thing I like the most about handling rattlesnakes is meeting people and the attention. I love the attention and I love getting to meet all these people,” Bibby said.
It’s an event that mixes amazement, with a little bit of fear.
“It was nice,” Lyla Snapp said.
I asked a few children about their favorite part.
“Probably when she got in that sleeping bag but it was so scary,” Micah Snapp said.
This year’s Rattlesnake Roundup included more than 40 vendors from all over Texas.
There were seven snake shows where handlers showcased a variety of demonstrations that also included educational tips and tricks.
Bibby told me inspiring young people is what it’s all about for him.
“It is dangerous and it is hard work sometimes I mean this is not automatic and it’s not easy but luckily we still have a few young people coming up that are interested and want to learn and are willing to do it,” Bibby said.
All the snakes on display were not defanged and were venomous.
