Greeley celebrates Rattlesnake Kate's legacy with music and activities on June 21

The Greeley City Council meeting on June 2, 2025, highlighted the upcoming celebration of Rattlesnake Kate's 100th anniversary, a significant event honoring a local legend. The meeting featured discussions about Kate Slaughterback, who, in 1925, famously defended herself and her son from a swarm of rattlesnakes while they were out collecting ducks near Fort Lupton.

During the meeting, it was recounted that Kate encountered a massive migration of rattlesnakes and, in a remarkable display of bravery, killed 40 of them over two hours to protect her child. To commemorate her extraordinary experience, she created a dress from the skins of the snakes she had defeated, which is now preserved at the Greeley History Museum.

The celebration is set for June 21, coinciding with World Music Day. The event will open at 10 AM and will feature various musical performances, along with activities and treats themed around Rattlesnake Kate. This celebration not only honors Kate's legacy but also serves to engage the community in a unique historical narrative.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of local history and the role of community events in preserving and sharing these stories. The upcoming anniversary celebration promises to be a vibrant tribute to a remarkable figure in Greeley's past.