Opp, Alabama Hosts 65th Annual Rattlesnake Rodeo

The cultural event features fried rattlesnake, races, music, and more in the small town.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:49pm

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of a coiled rattlesnake repeated in a grid pattern, using vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art interpretation of the traditional rattlesnake imagery associated with the Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo.The annual Rattlesnake Rodeo in Opp, Alabama celebrates the town's unique cultural heritage, but also raises ethical concerns about the treatment of wild animals.Opp Today

The 65th annual Rattlesnake Rodeo was held this past weekend in Opp, Alabama, a cultural event that includes rattlesnake races, arts and crafts vendors, live music performances, and the highlight - fried rattlesnake. The event draws around 20,000 visitors to the small town of 6,700 people and is a major source of revenue.

Why it matters

The Rattlesnake Rodeo is a long-standing tradition in Opp, Alabama, showcasing the town's unique culture and providing an economic boost. However, the event has faced criticism from conservationists over the capture and use of wild rattlesnakes, raising questions about the ethics and sustainability of the practice.

The details

The Rattlesnake Rodeo features rattlesnake races, where the snakes are made to slither from an inner circle to an outer circle. Snake handlers also showcase the snakes to attendees, educating them about the snakes' venom and how to stay safe around them. In addition to the snake-focused events, the rodeo includes arts and crafts vendors, live music performances, and the popular fried rattlesnake, which is rumored to taste like chicken or frog legs.

  • The 65th annual Rattlesnake Rodeo was held this past weekend (March 29-30, 2026).
  • The event has been held annually for 65 years.

The players

Chance McCurley

The mayor of Opp, Alabama, who stated that the Rattlesnake Rodeo is important for the community and brings in much-needed revenue.

Jimmy Stiles

A biologist and critic of the Rattlesnake Rodeo, who argues that the practice of capturing wild rattlesnakes for the event is unethical and harmful to conservation efforts.

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What they’re saying

“This means a lot to our community, we need people to come to our community and spend money here. We're showing what Opp can do and what we're about here.”

— Chance McCurley, Mayor of Opp, Alabama

“If it were dogs or bears, people would be rising up. I don't know why they're sticking to their guns on being bad stewards.”

— Jimmy Stiles, Biologist and critic of the Rattlesnake Rodeo

What’s next

The Opp City Council is expected to discuss the future of the Rattlesnake Rodeo and potential changes to address the concerns raised by conservationists at their next meeting on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Rattlesnake Rodeo in Opp, Alabama highlights the town's unique cultural heritage, but also raises ethical concerns about the treatment of wild animals. As the event continues to evolve, the community will need to find a balance between preserving tradition and addressing environmental sustainability.