San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival 2016 Slithers into Town This Weekend

SAN ANTONIO, FL — Tampa Bay area residents looking for small-town fun this weekend may want to set a course north to Pasco County’s San Antonio. The community is celebrating its annual Rattlesnake Festival’s 50th anniversary with two days of fun on tap.

The event gets under way bright and early Saturday, Oct. 15 with the 38th annual 5-mile Rattlesnake Run at 8 a.m. The festival itself runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at San Antonio City Park, 12202 Main St.

A new family bike ride is also planned for Sunday morning at 9:30. The ride is sponsored by V02 Max Cycles of San Antonio. Pre-registration is required from the run and the ride.

“This event harkens back to the simpler life and San Antonio is the essence of small town charm and community spirit,” Ed Caum, Pasco County’s Tourism Manager said in a statement about the event. “Visitors come from all over Central Florida to enjoy this quaint little festival.”

Festival goers will find Cates Snakes Educational Lectures on site both days. There will also be crocodile encounters, a rock climbing wall and mechanical bull rides. Wooden gopher tortoise races and craft demonstrations will also take place, in addition to live concerts, food trucks, pony and barrel train rides and more. Kids will find free craft activities, a butterfly garden and the Town of St. Leo’s Pumpkin Patch to entertain them. There’s also a beer and wine garden for the grownups.

Admission and parking at the festival are free. Some shows, rides and events do require tickets. To see a full list of activities and check on prices, visit the Rattlesnake Festival online.

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