Blue skies and big crowds made a great recipe for this weekend’s Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo as more than 7,500 people each night attended this year’s 50th annual event. Mayor H.D. Edgar said it was the best crowd in history, and it took an estimated 150 volunteers to make the event possible. “I think weather, which was the best, is what really drew people — that and the great entertainment we had this year,” Edgar said. Top, Ivy Rogers, the daughter of Tina and Scott Rogers, took a break from the crowd to enjoy some peanuts and music by Tambry Nix. Center, Chuck Brooks, volunteer, had no qualms about handling the star of the event — the rattlesnake. Right, Justin Wilson, 15, had to show folks how it was done as he made his way to the top of the greased pole. Stephanie Nelson/Star-News