Rattlesnake Rodeo

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UniqueOpp
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesFew American festivals build an entire
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Rattlesnake Rodeo in Opp

The Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo returns to Channell-Lee Stadium in Opp, Alabama, each spring, having grown from a 1959 Opp Jaycees fundraiser into a weekend event drawing tens of thousands. Visitors watch handlers stage rattlesnake shows and races, sample fried rattlesnake meat, run a 5K, watch the Rattlin' 100 stock car race, and crown Miss Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo.

In the late 1950s, civic leaders in Opp, a small Covington County town in southeast Alabama, took notice of a rattlesnake roundup being held one county over in Geneva County.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few American festivals build an entire weekend around live venomous snake handling: professional handlers stage rattlesnake shows, snake races, and safety demonstrations at Channell-Lee Stadium, and vendors serve fried rattlesnake meat, a tradition dating to 1964 when Jaycee president Cliff Kersey and founder J

02

The mystery stays covered

Jones introduced cooked rattlesnake to the event

03

The city starts moving

The Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo has run continuously since 1959, making it one of Alabama's longest-running community festivals, and it has grown to include the Rattlin' 100 stock car race at South Alabama Speedway, the Miss Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo pageant, buck-dancing performances, and a 5K road race, all funding local Jaycees community projects

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The rodeo grew out of a rattlesnake roundup held in neighboring Geneva County and was adapted by the Opp Jaycees as a community fundraiser in 1959 under founder J

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Cooking and serving rattlesnake meat became part of the event in 1964

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the Miss Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo pageant later added a hometown beauty-pageant tradition alongside the snake handling and stock car racing

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing appropriate for a stadium setting in late March, when Covington County afternoons can still turn warm: closed-toe shoes are strongly advised given the snake handling...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map31.28 N, 86.26 WOpen in Google Maps

Opp, AL

Nearest airportPNS — Pensacola
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Opp via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Opp, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor clothing appropriate for a stadium setting in late March, when Covington County afternoons can still turn warm: closed-toe shoes are strongly advised given the snake handling and stadium bleacher seating, along with a light jacket for cooler evenings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Rattlesnake Rodeo?

Rattlesnake Rodeo is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Rattlesnake Rodeo take place?

The festival is listed in Opp, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Opp, AL

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLrattlesnakerodeo.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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