I tossed the event up on my facebook page and invited EVERYONE in the world, you know how it is, am I right? But I had a friend comment that she was interested because she had "a thing with snakes". I wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but as the day arrived I messaged her that I was I one my way and she said she would see me soon! 

I wasn't shocked, there were no rattlesnakes on display. I mean alcohol and rattlesnakes really do not mix anyhow. There was however Uber outreach animal Flo the Blood Python, some boas, the cutest wee lil hognose baby and some ball pythons. For us herpers, that isn't that flashy but for education, it was awesome! These snakes gave people a chance to touch, feel, understand and learn. With a variety of displays, they learned we do not have Water copper moccasins and what snakes we really do have. We answered the Gardener snake question at least 10 times while I was there alone! They learned that most of our snakes are harmless and extremely beneficial to our natural world. Some may have needed a little liquid courage to reach out and touch that snake, but they all seemed to get there at some point. It was one of the most relaxed educational event I have been at! I enjoyed swapping stories with old friends and making some new ones within the SSP. I also had great pride seeing exactly how many women are in that SSP. You go girls!
 
As it turns out, the thing my friend has with snakes is fear. After a few beers, she ventured over to talk with one of the girls from the program. After a bit, she reached out and touched the ball python. After a bit more talking, well, she had that snake in her hands. Folks, that is what World Snake Day is about. Reaching out, educating and changing minds 

As for the fundraiser, they did awesome. Amorphic Brewing donated 1$ per beer sold to the fundraiser as well as T-shirt sales, raffles and silent auction, they raised over $2000. That is the cherry on top of the cake of the awareness and education they shared. I walked away with a few things, but maybe the most fun is tickets to the Wisconsin TImber Rattlers game, obviously the coolest named team in our state!

To learn more about the Eastern Massasauga SSP, visit them here. Here's some random shots I took while there!


Sign welcoming you at the entrance




"Flo" the Blood Python working the crowd


My Friend JJ, afraid but doing it. This is the beginning of holding the snake.


BIG CHANGE! JJ, much more relaxed, smiling and a lot less afraid now! YAY! EDUCATION IN ACTION!








Some of the awesome auction items


Did not even get out of the parking lot before slapping this bad boy on my car!