Claxton Rattlesnake Festival set for this weekend

Actor John Schneider, a.k.a. "Bo Duke" from the classic television series "The Dukes of Hazzard," will make a guest appearance Saturday at the Claxton Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival. - photo by Special

John Schneider 2 — Actor John Schneider, a.k.a. "Bo Duke" from the classic television series "The Dukes of Hazzard," will make a guest appearance Saturday at the Claxton Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival. - photo by Special

The Evans County Wildlife Club will host the 47th Annual Claxton Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival on Saturday and Sunday at the Wildlife Club festival grounds, at 501 Cedar Avenue in Hagan. The festival began 47 years ago after a local youth was bitten by a rattlesnake and nearly died because of a lack of antivenom. Local men of the community decided to catch rattlesnakes so the slithery creatures could be milked and more antivenom would be available.