DOTHAN EAGLE (Alabama) 02 March 06 Snake show worth seeing (Debbie Ingram)
Photo: Brad Gavins of Ozark and Melissa Hatfield of Texas catch a rattlesnake. The two will be part of an education program on rattlesnakes slated for March 18-19 at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds. (Contributed Photo)
It’s no rattlesnake rodeo or roundup. No ordinary snake show with the usual tricks and gimmicks. What’s coming to the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds next month is reality - and more than 100 scaly diamondbacks.
Rattlesnake Reality is a weekend educational program designed to instruct and enlighten rattlesnake fans and foes of all ages.
The show is being put on by experts in the field, including Ken Darnell, owner of Bioactive Laboratories in Tallassee, who has been collecting venom for research for nearly 30 years, and Brad Gavins of Ozark, a long-time rattlesnake hunter.
Darnell, who is also a lawyer, said the March 18-19 event is both educational and entertaining. The star of the show is the Eastern Diamondback, the largest rattle snake in the world which is native to Southeast Alabama, North Florida and Southwest Georgia.
“I have been in the venom business 28 years and all the venom I collect is used in research,” Darnell said. “Venom is used in important medications.“
Venom’s most recent entry into the mainstream is in Byetta, a drug which recently gained FDA approval and is a successful treatment for Type II adult-onset diabetes. The venom used is derived from the helimonster.
“Rattlesnake venom is used to develop blood pressure treatments and blood clot busting medications,” Darnell said.
“That’s why I say this show is different. The people putting this on have a little knowledge. We’re not just a group putting on a snake show. We have particular knowledge and an appreciation for rattlesnakes.“
But as might be expected of a snake show, this one has a little bit of everything from pretty girls and a teen diva contest to petting shows for the kids and a giant snake cake.
Every hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, Gavins will perform shows on finding and capturing rattlesnakes. There will also be regular “milking” demonstrations as Darnell shows the proper way to extract venom.
“I will milk about 20 snakes each hour,” he said.
Darnell plans to bring 100 to 150 Eastern Diamonbacks with him.
He says this species is the most difficult to deal with, particularly the female. The snakes are from his collection and are used to produce venom for worldwide research. Ball pythons and other snakes will also be on display.
Rattlesnake wranglers Melissa Hatfield, an emergency room nurse from San Antonio, and Mandy Bell, a former Rattlesnake Queen from Claxton, Ga., will conduct continuous “talk and touch” demonstrations for children.
“These are two ladies who are very experienced in handling rattlesnakes,” Darnell said. “They put on an educationally intensive show.“
Darnell says Hatfield is “as good with rattlesnakes as any man” and says she reports they’re easier to handle than any man she’s come across. Hatfield is featured on billboards that went up around town last week.
The event will include special children’s areas and an ongoing competition for an Xbox 360. Children will watch a video and be given a quiz afterward. All those scoring 100 percent will be in the running for the video game player.
There will also be ongoing entertainment. On Saturday night, Shane Owens and Sean Nelson will sing with proceeds benefiting the Disabled Veterans of America. Sunday’s show will feature all gospel music.
Also on the agenda is “Let Them Eat Cake” star Chris Russom, of the Food Network, who is flying in from Southern California to bake what could be one of his strangest concoctions - a rattlesnake cake.
Rattlesnake Reality will also feature other off-beat entertainment including the Jug & Washboard Band, a steppin’ exhibition, a cheering competition, Miss Alabama and a teen diva talent competition.
Darnell said no snakes are harmed during any part of the show, which is strictly educational.
Admission is $7 per person, with children ages 14 and under getting in free. Admission for other students and military personnel is $4.
For more information, contact Darnell at 252-8887 or check the Web site at www.rattlesnakereality.com.
If You Go ...
Rattlesnake Reality!
www.rattlesnakereality.com
March 18-19
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Peanut Festival Fairgrounds
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