The show was about to begin, as a few members of the crowd noticed the 8-foot alligator in the nearby pond. The Swampmaster’s voice came over the speakers to say, “Sit back and relax and take a journey to the swamps in Florida. You are now in Gator County.”
The Swampmaster’s Gator Show is only one of many shows available at the Kern County Fair, but as several spectators would agree, it is truly unique.
The Swampmaster, Jeff Quattrocchi, has been working with alligators for 12 years. He began as host of an alligator show based in Florida. After watching the interaction between man and reptile, he decided to train and become the Swampmaster. Quattrocchi now appears in about 17 cities and puts on an average of 300 shows a year with his gators.
As his performance begins, Quattrocchi informs the audience that contrary to popular belief, his act is not an alligator wrestling show.
It is an educational as well as entertaining routine used to inform the audience on the lives and physical characteristics of gators. No alligators are hurt during the program.
“People call it a wrestling show, but in reality, alligators don’t know a darn thing about wrestling,” said Quattrocchi. “There is no harm in the show to alligators. Gators don’t play by the same rules.”
Over the past dozen years, Quattrocchi has received 12 major bite injuries. When gators bite down, they can keep their jaws clenched a whole day. In his case, his fingers were only held down with the gator’s teeth for a matter of minutes. It took both Quattrocchi and a friend to release the gator’s grip.
Throughout the show, he explained why alligators attack people, their defense mechanisms and their favorite foods. Stunts like sitting on the gator’s back and showing the crowd the alligator’s 80 sharp teeth, plus a technique called bulldogging are performed. In bulldogging, Quattrocchi secures the gator’s nose between his own chin and neck, leaving his hands free to tie the gator’s mouth shut.
This stunt produced many groans and gasps from the nervous onlookers.
“The jaws are the only true weapon,” Quattrocchi said.
As the show comes to an end, Quattrocchi brings a guest onto the stage as he gives the following introduction: “It took hard work and sweat to capture this gator before the show.” With several spurts of laughter and “awws” from the audience, Quattrocchi then brings out baby Wally, a young gator under 2 feet long.
He acquires all of his gators from an alligator farm. According to Quattrocchi, these alligators are raised like cows for their hide and meat. As an animal lover, this does not settle well with him. When the time comes to find a new gator, which is every three to four weeks to keep the gators fresh and defensive against the Swampmaster, he catches them himself. The gator farms are not careful with the alligators and put tape around their mouths, resulting in the tearing of the skin. Quattrocchi said he wants to keep his gators as pretty as possible and as safe as he can.
“I go out there all day catching alligators, trying to keep them pretty,” he said.When he retires his gators, they never return to the farms. They are taken to his pond in Florida. About 100 live there.
The last six days of the fair are The Swampmaster’s “A” show. This performance includes Quattrocchi lifting an 8-foot- long, 230-pound gator from the water. This is only done six out of the 12 fair days due to the strain and muscle it takes.
“I liked it when he got on the alligators’ back,” said 7-year-old attendee Drew Ritchie.
According to Quattrocchi, he loves seeing the little kids’ eyes light up. After the show, he allows audience members to get their picture taken with baby Wally. The picture is important to the kids, he explained.
“I liked the show,” said attendee Sue Colliur. “We don’t see alligators out here in California so it is really nice to see. I think the kids liked it. It’s exciting.”