Gators, Gators, Gators
Tony Cornwell shows off the alligator he turned in for the Great Texas Alligator Roundup. The event is one of the highlights of Gatorfest each year, and this year was no exception.
Attendees grip tight of the airboat as the driver hits a U-turn on the water. Photo by Chris Cody.
Reya Vela, 5, grabs hold of a juvenile alligator, handed off by Texas Parks and Recreation Alligator Program Leader Jon Warner. Photo by Katie Fielder.
2025 Texas Gatorfest Queen Phoenix Garza poses with a couple juvenile alligators inside the education tent set up at Texas Gatorfest.
Carol “Ann” Shrieve (front, center right) proudly stands next to the 13-foot alligator she shot on her property. James Kelly King (back, center right) and Zane Vestel (center left) helped bring the alligator in. Contributed Photo.
Josh (left) and Tate Winslow bring in an alligator for the Great Texas Alligator Roundup.
Shane McKinster (left), Case McKinster, Hattie McKinster, Quinlee McKinster, Heather Fenn and Brandon Fenn bring in a couple alligators for the Great Texas Alligator Roundup.
William Clark Green (center) sings to the Texas Gatorfest crowd. Photo by Chris Cody.
A Texas Gatorfest attendee enjoys the bull ride. Photo by Chris Cody.
Texas Gatorfest Queen Phoenix Garza (right) welcomes the crowd while Junior Queen Brooklynn Armentor listens on. Photo by Chris Cody.
A young Texas Gatorfest attendee gets ready for a bull ride. Photo by Chris Cody.
Logan Lotz of Logan Lotz and the Rock Bottom Band sings a tune to the Texas Gatorfest crowd.
An alligator sits on a trailer just outside of the Great Texas Alligator Roundup drop off. Photo by Chris Cody.
2025 Texas Gatorfest Little King Asa Rutland (left), Miss Tot Blakelynn Kahla, Junior Queen Brooklynn Armentor, Little Queen Amelia Childress, Mr. Tot Treyson Finnex, Princess Jaxyn Phillips and Queen Phoenix Garza give a wave.
Alligators turned in for the Great Texas Alligator Roundup sit on ice, waiting to head to Porter’s Processing and Alligator Farm.
The sun sets over Fort Anahuac Park as airboats return to the dock.
ANAHUAC— Fort Anahuac Park was the place to be over the weekend as people from all around flooded the park to enjoy good food, music, and, of course, see who brings in the biggest gator.
Organized by the Anahuac Area Chamber of Commerce, the 33rd Annual Texas Gatorfest was held Friday, Sept. 12, to Sunday, Sept. 14, offering excitement for the whole family.
There were plenty of shopping opportunities and fried alligator with the row of vendors stretching as far as the eye could see.
Representatives of the Texas Department of Parks and Recreation, Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge, and Friends of Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge brought plenty of knowledge to the educational tent.
In the tent, attendees could hold juvenile alligators and learn about the environment around them.
The Great Texas Alligator Roundup was a success as usual, with people from all over coming out to try to claim the biggest catch.
The winner of the roundup was Carol "Ann" Shrieve, 81, who brought in the biggest alligator at 13 feet.
Shrieve shot the gator on her property, which had been there since 1965.
Since Shrieve got into the cattle industry, the gator was eating her cows, leading to her turning it into the roundup.
Anahuac's own Casey Hedges took on the task of processing all the gators at Porter's Processing and Alligator Farm.
The Gatorfest royalty was out and about, visiting with guests and checking out the roundup.
2025 brought plenty of fun, and there is no doubt that everyone is already looking forward to next year.