Every spring, the quiet town of Waynoka, Oklahoma comes alive for its annual Waynoka Snake Hunt and SnakeFest, a gathering that celebrates courage, curiosity, and good old-fashioned community. It’s the kind of event that blends small-town hospitality with frontier grit — and this year, we decided to point our Buffalo Billfold Company rig south and see what it was all about.
A Journey to the Waynoka Snake Fest
Our economic radar had been scanning for new adventures — and this weekend, it landed squarely on Waynoka. Geographically speaking, this is where the handle meets the pan in Oklahoma’s panhandle region.
We arrived early and were immediately greeted by one of the festival organizers, who kindly offered us prime parking for our StarShip booth. Before the festivities began, we stopped at the local museum and learned that Charles Lindbergh once honeymooned right here in Waynoka, leaving behind a bit of aviation romance in the town’s history. Trains still roar through day and night, reminding visitors that this has always been a town of motion and movement.
The Rattlesnakes, the Engines, and the Crowd
The Waynoka Snake Hunt is a symphony of contradictions. Just outside of town, Little Sahara State Park draws thousands of ATV and dirt-bike riders, their engines rumbling nonstop. On Main Street, Harley Davidsons join the chorus, weaving between festival tents as trains thunder nearby.
We were a little apprehensive at first — this wasn’t exactly our usual crowd of museum-goers and fine leather enthusiasts — but soon enough, we found the rhythm. Between the bikers, snake handlers, and dust, there was a shared energy: folks coming together to celebrate life on the edge.
One evening, I met a local musician with a knack for Western swing, and before long, we were swapping tunes. In a moment straight out of Waiting for Guffman, a TV crew from New York showed up, camera in hand, eager to film a few songs. I didn’t hesitate — signed their release and played my part in whatever story they’d tell.
A Glimpse Inside the Snake Pit
Now, this is a Snake Fest, and yes — there are real, live rattlesnakes. They catch ’em, display ’em, and yes… they eat ’em. Curiosity got the better of me, so I wandered over to the snake pit. Dozens of folks were watching as handlers lifted writhing snakes as thick as a man’s wrist.
Behind the crowd, I noticed a small door leading to a cooler room. That was the butcher shop, where the snake meat gets processed and packaged for resale. I stepped inside just far enough to see a man holding a large, live rattlesnake in one hand, while another stood ready with a hatchet and a tree stump.
At that moment, I felt my knees go soft.
I decided, rather quickly, that rattlesnake would not be on my dinner plate — not that day, not ever.
Tornadoes, Trains, and Takeaways
That night, the festival’s energy didn’t quiet down. Between the bar crowd, roaring motorcycles, and passing trains, the soundtrack of Waynoka was full volume until the early hours. Around 2 a.m., someone shouted that a tornado had been spotted north of town. Within minutes, rain, hail, and lightning rolled in — the kind of prairie weather that makes you question your life choices.
By morning, four inches of rain filled the intersections, and we decided it was time to pack up. We drove through five states that day, chasing clearer skies and dry roads.
Reflections from the Road
The Waynoka Oklahoma Snake Hunt might not be everyone’s idea of a relaxing weekend, but it’s a testament to what a small town can do to promote itself — with grit, pride, and a touch of wildness.
For us, it was a reminder that the American spirit still thrives in places like this. It’s the same spirit that fuels our work at Buffalo Billfold Company — crafting handmade bison leather goods that are as rugged and enduring as the people we meet on the road.
Would I go back?
Well… maybe.
But I’ll leave the rattlesnake tasting to braver souls.
— Bill Keitel, Buffalo Billfold Company
