53rd Annual Cross Fork Snake Hunt Draws Huge Crowd
CROSS FORK – With rattlesnakes in hand and a lot of community pride, visitors and locals alike gathered this past weekend for the 53rd Annual Cross Fork Snake Hunt, a one-of-a-kind event hosted by the Kettle Creek Hose Company. Held June 28–29, the festival brought in hundreds of snake enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and families for a weekend that mixed thrill, tradition, education, and fun—all in support of the town’s volunteer fire department.
The Hunt is On
A total of 113 hunters registered at the fire hall before heading into the wild to track down native snakes. This year’s stats were impressive: 40 timber rattlesnakes, 4 copperheads, and 10 non-venomous snakes were safely captured and later released. The winners in each category were as follows:
Snake Hunt Awards – Saturday
•Heaviest Yellow Phase Timber Rattlesnake: Collins Femovich – 62 oz
•Heaviest Black Phase Timber Rattlesnake: Ron Andrus – 65 oz
•Heaviest Copperhead: Donna Kime – 17 oz
•Heaviest Non-Venomous Snake: Patti Henry – 4 oz
Snake Hunt Awards – Sunday
•Largest Timber Rattlesnake: Ron Andrus – 56 inches / 65 oz
•2nd Largest Timber Rattlesnake: Nicholas McCarthy – 54 inches / 65 oz
•Largest Copperhead: Donna Kime – 33.5 inches / 17 oz
•2nd Largest Copperhead: Ed Kime – 33 inches / 14 oz
•Largest Non-Venomous Snake: Adam Masier – 71 inches / 30 oz
•Most Rattles: Barry Hixson – 15 rattles
•Prettiest Timber Rattlesnake: Collins Femovich
•Stu Rebert Memorial Award: Chris Helm – 49-inch timber
•Steve Gallagher Memorial Award: Patti Henry & Matt Deal
•Ultimate Snake Hunter: Mason Christ – 170 points / 5 snakes
Raffle Winners
$5,000 Drawing
•$5,000 – #324 John Butkofsky
•$250 – #519 Lenny Weiland
•$125 – #113 Scott Zeigler
•$75 – #301 Sheriee Burgin
•$50 – #356 Drew Michenner
•Free 2024 Ticket – #319 Scott Schenck
$10,000 Drawing
•$10,000 – #049 Terry and Ed
•$1,000 – #151 Pat Smith
•$1,000 – #210 George Kalafat
•$1,000 – #037 Nikki and Sam Werts
•$1,000 – #248 John Wojcik
•$500 – #150 Mike Smith
•$500 – #159 Joe Eastburn Jr.
•$250 – #111 Tim Holtz
•Free 2024 Ticket – #039 Ron Burgoon
Special Drawings
•Saturday 50/50 – #509941 Bill Thomas
•Sunday 50/50 – #510577 (White Ticket) Rod Watson
•RIP Ticket Grand Prize – Kelsey McCleary
•Fishing Quilt Winner – #652916 Cathy Neff (Donated by Helen Green)
•Kayak Package Winner – #228 Ruth Fourney
Parade Highlights
•Judges Trophy – Clinton County EMA 1
•Best Appearing Mini/Rescue – Bureau of Forestry – Smokey Bear
Horseshoe Tournament
•1st Place – Mike Black & Jamie Blauvet
•2nd Place – Curt Nagley & Jame Thomas
More than 80 volunteers joined forces with local residents, camp owners, businesses, and the Keystone Reptile Club to make this year’s hunt the best yet. Educational displays, live music, food vendors, crafts, and a festive spirit filled the weekend with unforgettable moments.
The Kettle Creek Hose Company expressed deep gratitude:
“To our volunteers, supporters, vendors, and every visitor—thank you. Your support ensures we can continue serving our community year-round. We couldn’t do it without you.”
As the final snake was released back into the wild one thing became certain: Cross Fork knows how to throw a festival with bite—and heart.
Always held the last full weekend in June, the 2026 Cross Fork Snake Hunt will be June 27-28, 2026.
