GRADY COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) -There's a big event happening this weekend in South Georgia.
Whigham is hosting its annual "Rattlesnake Roundup" on Saturday.
They're expecting around 10,000 people, which is huge considering there's less than 500 people living in the town.
In 1960, the city of Whigham hosted their first "Rattlesnake Roundup" as a way to collect the snake venom needed to make anti-venom. Over the last 59 years, this event has transformed into a family-friendly fair with various vendors, fried foods, and a perfect place for locals to reconnect.
"A lot of the people have moved away and it's an opportunity for us to bring everybody back again, and also help us raise some funds so we can in turn, help the community," said Former Greg Ponder.
This is the largest event that the Whigham Community Club hosts, so it's important to have a big crowd each and every year.
"Economically speaking, it's great for Whigham. It's great for Grady County. We're getting visitors in. It impacts this entire community in a big way," said David Gainous.
"We use the proceeds for a lot of things here in the community as far as the school is concerned, the boy scouts, 4-H, FFA, and any other things. Anything that the community comes and asks us for for help, we try to help them monetarily," said Ponder.
Merchants and food vendors from all over the country will be at Rattlesnake Roundup, but it'll be here, at the stage on the pavilion where guests will be able to learn about different snakes from all over the area and what to do if they encounter them.
"We'll have all the pit vipers that live around here. They'll be displayed with some educational plaques so you can learn about them. We'll also have live shows. These are about 45 to 50 minute programs where we interact with the crowd, said Rebecca Tucker.
That's the educational side of the event that pumps visitors and dollars into a small town and gives this community a reason to celebrate every January.
