The Noxen Rattlesnake Roundup is a wonderfully strange mix of festival, spectacle, and educational featuring scores of huge snakes.
Every Father’s Day Weekend the rural small town of Noxen, PA in the wooded foothills of Wyoming County swells with crowds of the curious flocking to the Noxen Volunteer Fire Company Rattlesnake Roundup. During our visit the carnival atmosphere was buzzing with activity and excitement. The Rattlesnake Roundup is an all-out attraction that features rides, games, food, beer, live music, and vendors. But the main attraction is of course the snake pit.
The snake pit is a fenced area where the caught snakes are evaluated then set to roam for the duration of the roundup to the delight of the spectators. Onlookers were packed around three sides of the snake pit and in the covered bleachers on the fourth side. Many snakes slithered along the interior perimeter of the fence as if probing for an exit, drawing congregations of spectators. Other snakes coiled in the snake pit or availed themselves of the rocks for cover. Although there was ceaseless rattling during the event, none of the snakes showed aggression or struck while we were there, even when the workers in the snake pit stood right next to them and picked them up. The snakes seemed most interested in being left to themselves. The workers in the snake pit conducted themselves with comfort and confidence as if it were business as usual.
The Noxen Rattlesnake Roundup is a contest where snake hunters compete to bring in the biggest snakes. Categories include: largest light phase rattlesnake, largest dark phase rattlesnake, most rattles, largest copperhead, largest non-venomous, and most species caught. Although the event is billed as the “Rattlesnake Roundup” we saw a variety of snakes including timber rattlesnakes, copperheads, water snakes, black rat snakes, black racers, milk snakes, and garter snakes. This year (2024) there were 110 registered snake hunters. All snakes come from within a 60-mile radius and are released back to the locations they were found after the roundup.
Each snake is inspected, marked, weighed, measured, then released to the snake pit. As the event progressed the snake pit population grew. As you can see from the photos, clear plastic tubes are placed over the heads of the venous shakes while they are being handled. Being a competition, we saw some monstrous snakes!
Although there is to the average person undeniable shock value to being in close proximity to and seeing people handle huge venomous snakes, there was a strong focus on education. The gentleman handling the large rattlesnake in the photo above served as MC of the event and was a wealth of knowledge, seamlessly lecturing on all subjects serpentine as he worked. Periodically as snake hunters were coming and going, he took time to field questions from the audience and especially to dispel myths about snakes. The other workers were happy to chat with folks at snake pit, answering questions and sharing stories.
A highlight of the Rattlesnake Roundup is the opportunity to get close to and even touch snakes as workers paraded them around the edge of the snake pit. Would you pet it?
The Noxen Volunteer Fire Company Rattlesnake Roundup is the best deal around: parking is free and admission is free. You just have to get there. The event is a fundraiser for the volunteer fire company, so please make sure you get something to eat, drink, and patronize the vendors. Don’t forget the souvenirs: how cool would it be show off your Rattlesnake Roundup hat or shirt?
There is a massive parade through town Saturday evening. It appeared as if fire and emergency vehicles from every station in the county participated in the parade. If you stay for the parade, enjoy the colossal celebration. But if you need to head out, make sure you do before the parade starts.
We had a great time at the Rattlesnake Roundup, and whether you find it cool, quirky, or creepy, we thoroughly encourage you to go. And even if snakes are not your thing, give it a try, you will certainly learn a few things and you might even change your mind. The event comes once a year, Thursday through Sunday of Father’s Day weekend. So, if you want to do something truly unique for dad, give him the gift of snakes at the Noxen Volunteer Fire Company Rattlesnake Roundup!
Also, be sure to check out our other adventures.
