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Rattlesnake and Gopher Enthusiasts

San Antonio gears up for 51st Rattlesnake Fest

October 18, 2017 By B.C. Manion

The 51st annual San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival, slated for this coming weekend, is borrowing from old traditions and introducing new activities, too, according to organizers of the event.

Children enjoy riding around in a barrel train during a previous San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival. The barrel train rides are just one of many fun activities available for children during this year’s event. (File)

The two-day event is set for Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As in the past, the festival will have a snake show, wooden gopher tortoise races, a pumpkin patch and live entertainment.

And, like before, admission is free.

In addition to the rides, food, music and other activities, the festival also has a 1-mile and 5-mile run.

Children’s activities planned for this year’s event include children’s games and crafts, inflatables, pony rides, a farm animal exhibit, barrel train rides and entertainers, according to the event’s website.

The Town of St. Leo will sponsor a pumpkin patch, offering photo opportunities, and pumpkins, of course.

The festival began in 1967 as a Jaycee project.

Later, The Rattlesnake and Gopher Enthusiasts (R.A.G.E., Inc.) took over and expanded the festival, managing it until 2012.

The following year, six of the Eastside Pasco County Rotary Clubs operated the event as a fundraiser for local charities, and then The Rotary Club of San Antonio assumed leadership of the event.

This year, the Thomas Promise Foundation has stepped in to continue the community festival. Thomas Promise is a charitable organization that provides food in backpacks to help children who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend when school meals are not available.

51st annual San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival
Where: San Antonio City Park, 12202 Main St., San Antonio

When: Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free admission

Details: Food and craft vendors, live entertainment, a snake show, wooden gopher tortoise races, a beer garden, a pumpkin patch and more.

Information: Call (813) 782-0000 or visit RattlesnakeFestival.com

Published Oct. 18, 2017

Filed Under: Local News, News Stories Tagged With: Eastside Pasco County Rotary Clubs, Jaycee, Rattlesnake and Gopher Enthusiasts, Rotary Club of San Antonio, San Antonio, San Antonio City Park, San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival, Thomas Promise Foundation, Town of St. Leo

Rattlesnake fest not hiss-tory after all

March 1, 2017 By B.C. Manion

New organizers have stepped forward to take over the management of the San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival & Run, an event that had appeared to be headed toward extinction.

The Thomas Promise Foundation will be taking over reins of running the festival, that has been a mainstay in the City of San Antonio for a half-century.

A Bay News 9 reporter gets a first-hand feel for this creature at the Croc Encounters’ alligator pen, a popular attraction at the San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival & Run.
(File)

The San Antonio Rotary Club had been the festival’s primary organizer and had announced on Feb. 1 that 50th festival, which was held in October, would be its last.

In announcing that decision, Betty Burke, festival chair, said the club decided to step away from the festival because it was too much for the small club to handle.

After that announcement, however, five organizations stepped forward, expressing interest in taking over the event.

Club members talked about those willing to take over the festival during the club’s Feb. 21 meeting, and after discussing the various pros and cons of each of the interested groups, they reached a consensus, deciding that Thomas Promise would be the best fit for the festival’s original mission.

Burke then headed to the San Antonio City Commission meeting to share the news.

This isn’t the first time the festival has had a new organizer.

Burke recapped the festival’s history, in her announcement about the festival’s demise.

The festival originally was conceived by founders Eddie Herrmann and Willy Post, as a rattlesnake roundup — to replace the San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce’s Fun Day, which was being discontinued.

The Jaycees presented the first Rattlesnake Roundup on Nov. 4, 1967, in City Park, in San Antonio, according to a history compiled by Burke. Its aim was to entertain and to give funds back to the community.

The event continued for nearly a decade with few changes, until the Jaycees, gave up their chapter. That prompted Herrmann and other members to form the Rattlesnake and Gopher Enthusiasts (R.A.G.E.) group to carry on the tradition.

In 2013, R.A.G.E. announced it could no longer manage the event due to a lack of new volunteers to help.

That’s when the San Antonio, Dade City Sunrise, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Sunrise, Zephyrhills and Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary clubs stepped in and assumed leadership, under the banner of the East Pasco Rotary Charities.

After that, the San Antonio Rotary Club took over in 2014, assuming full leadership for the festival.

In choosing to hand the festival off to Thomas Promise Foundation, club members noted that the organization seems in line with the original intent, to help the local community.

Thomas Promise Foundation provides backpacks full of food complete with three meals and snacks for underprivileged children in Pasco County. The meals help feed children through the weekend when they would otherwise go without.

The charity’s Operation Backpack began after Brooke Thomas gave her lunch money to classmates she saw going hungry. When she asked her mom for more lunch money, her mom asked why, and Brooke said she just wanted to help.

Thomas Promise Foundation began with that young girl’s compassion.

Now, the organization will bring new life to the Rattlesnake Festival & Run.

Published March 1, 2017

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: Betty Burke, Brooke Thomas, City of San Antonio, City Park, Dade City Sunrise Rotary Club, East Pasco Rotary, Eddie Herrmann, Operation Backpack, Rattlesnake and Gopher Enthusiasts, Rattlesnake Roundup, San Antonio City Commission, San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival & Run, San Antonio Rotary Club, Thomas Promise Foundation, Wesley Chapel Rotary Club, Wesley Chapel Sunrise Rotary Club, Willy Post, Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary Club, Zephyrhills Rotary Club

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Art Lovers Invited To Join East Pasco Arts Committee

January 26, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Do you love art and also love your community? Do you live in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, San Antonio, Zephyrhills or … [Read More...] about Art Lovers Invited To Join East Pasco Arts Committee

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01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “One Book, One Night” on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Participants can start online as the beginning excerpt of the book “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, is read in English, Spanish and French. For information and to register, visit the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

01/30/2021 – Toddler craft

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual craft for toddlers on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to make a paper plate shark. To view the video, visit Facebook.com/cplib. … [Read More...] about 01/30/2021 – Toddler craft

01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host a live performance by the classical music group Nova Era on Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The ensemble performs in handcrafted 18th-century costumes and ornate, powdered wigs. Gates open at 2 p.m. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This is an outdoor event. Guests should bring lawn chairs. No cooler or pets. Masks are required inside the buildings. Social distancing will be in place. Advance tickets are $25, or $30 at the door (if available). For information and tickets, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. … [Read More...] about 01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

02/01/2021 – Yarn hearts

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer a craft kit for adults on Feb. 1, all day. Pick up a kit, while supplies last, to learn to make a yarn heart. For information, call 352-567-3576. … [Read More...] about 02/01/2021 – Yarn hearts

02/03/2021 – Jewelry-making

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual jewelry-making class for adults on Feb. 3 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., via Zoom. Participants can learn how to make a bracelet or necklace with strung beads, and how to attach a purchased clasp. Minimal supplies (there is a list) are required. No experience is necessary. Registration is a must by emailing the South Holiday Library at . … [Read More...] about 02/03/2021 – Jewelry-making

02/04/2021 – Dungeons & Dragons

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Taste of Dungeons & Dragons” on Feb. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the month of February, Pasco libraries and Parks & Recreation are teaming up to host a beginner-friendly virtual environment for ages 17 and older who want to learn about the cooperative story-telling game that uses dice and rules to complete missions. Every registered player will receive a starter kit and guidance. Each week will feature a new Dungeon Master to lead the players. There is a limit of six players per session, and a limit of one session per player. Players must have computer and internet access, and a (free) Roll20 account. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 02/04/2021 – Dungeons & Dragons

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