The annual Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt began in the 1940s when area ranchers attempted to rid the surrounding ranch land of rattlesnakes, which were a threat to their cattle. The ranchers banded together and began hunting Western Diamondback rattlesnakes during a yearly event. That event, which has become a local ritual, now draws thousands of participants and has expanded into a larger festival.

During the Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt, the downtown square is blocked off to make way for vendor booths and carnival rides. Shop for one-of-a-kind items in the festival's flea market, or put your nerves to the test with a visit to the festival's popular Den of Death, where skilled snake handlers put on a show with live snakes to the delight of visitors situated along the sidelines. Sign up for a thrilling snake hunt and then make your way back to the festival grounds for carnival rides and a variety of fair food concessions.

The Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt comes to a close with a ceremony where captured snakes are measured and weighed. Prizes will be awarded for the longest snake captured alive, the most pounds caught and for the most rattles on the end of a rattler. See which lucky participant will catch the longest Diamondback rattlesnake, Gypsum Rock rattler, Prairie rattler and more. Stick around for an auction where the longer snakes are auctioned off to the highest bidder. For a wild weekend, make your way to this year's Waynoka Rattlesnake Hunt.