Repticon Knoxville 2025: Family Fun and Stand-Out Vendors

Lisa Parker

Hey y’all, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I’m Lisa Parker and as always, I’ve got the dream team here—Jay, Michael, and Guy. Today’s all about Repticon Knoxville, coming up November 8th and 9th, 2025, at the Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center’s Jacob Building, right in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Jay Tacey

It’s one of the shows I look forward to most, honestly. Knoxville has this cozy, small-expo vibe that’s just... I mean, it’s friendly. You walk in and you’re not overwhelmed—there’s energy, but it’s dialed in for families, for folks new to reptiles, and honestly, even seasoned keepers who want a quieter space to chat with vendors.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and you have time to explore at a relaxed pace. No frantic rushing between booths, you know? My family’s come along a couple times and, I’ll say it, my kids never get bored at this one. The event’s set up for wandering, discovering, and getting those hands-on experiences without the big-city crowds.

Guy Mc Farlane

It’s also a proper educational expo. I’ve worked big shows across different continents, but what I appreciate about Knoxville and similar expos in this region is how approachable it all is. Staff, vendors—everyone’s on a first-name basis by noon. You actually see kids and parents learning together at the vendor tables, which, let’s be honest, is the ideal scenario for sparking that long-term curiosity in animal care. I—um, sorry, bit of a tangent there, but it’s true.

Lisa Parker

No, it’s spot on, Guy! I mean, we all know some of the larger expos get wild. Knoxville has its own charm. The venue’s spacious enough so you’re comfortable, but it still feels like a community event. And if you’re new to Repticon or just looking to start your reptile journey—this show is a gem. You’ll find everything you need to get inspired or just have a great family day out. Should we dive into one vendor who embodies all that?

Jay Tacey

Yeah, let’s talk about Cinderella Dragons. So, Michael Kimionakis runs this operation out of Greenville, South Carolina. He took over the family business a few years back, and he’s kept things intentionally small and focused. What really gets me about Cinderella Dragons is it’s not just about pumping out bearded dragons—it’s about, well… genuine genetic integrity. He’s almost obsessive about not crossing up bloodlines, maintaining the cleanest lineage he can.

Michael Arnold

Absolutely. And, Jay, you mentioned this before—we were chatting about responsible breeding a couple of episodes ago. Cinderella Dragons is one of those breeders where every dragon comes with a hatch date, genetic notes, diet tips, even a note about any little nips or quirks. That kind of transparency? Amazing. Plus, if you buy from Michael, he doesn’t just hand over a lizard and send you on your way—he’ll support you for the life of the animal.

Lisa Parker

Lisa here and let me just say—98% recommend rating on Facebook is nothing to sneeze at, especially with almost fifty reviews. It’s not luck, that’s for sure. He’s at expos in person, answering questions, making sure every home is the right fit, and always encouraging folks to reach out, even years later, if they’ve got questions about their dragon.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, I, uh, it kind of takes me back to my very first bearded dragon encounter. It was at a tiny show up in Ohio—different era, but the same sort of enthusiasm. I remember the vendor walking me through every aspect, from lineage to tank setup. That shaped how I viewed reptile keeping. Michael’s approach reminds me why lineage and integrity are vital—not just for healthy animals but for building trust in the hobby and community. And the post-sale support? That’s what keeps people doing this the right way.

Guy Mc Farlane

Those personal connections matter for reputation, too. It’s interesting—good breeders who focus on genetics and care almost always earn that long-term trust. Cinderella Dragons has definitely set the benchmark at this Knoxville show. And that smaller, family-friendly atmosphere we mentioned earlier? Their booth amplifies that vibe. If you’re curious about bearded dragons or want to ask the big questions about husbandry—go talk with Michael. You’ll be glad you did.

Lisa Parker

He’ll even show you the dragons’ real colors—none of those filtered, too-good-to-be-true online photos. Authentic, ethical, and altogether approachable. Love it! Ready to keep rolling and look at a couple more standout Knoxville vendors?

Michael Arnold

Oh yeah, and these two couldn’t be more different or more fun. Let’s start with Electric Black Reptiles. If you haven’t run into them yet—they’re kind of the definition of, I don’t know, reptile excitement? Everything at their table pops—ball pythons, colubrids, isopods, tarantulas, geckos like Leachies and Gargoyles, even custom enclosures. It’s like a vibrant splash of the hobby, and the team runs their booth with this infectious energy. Their motto says it all: “Quality reptiles made fun and exciting!”

Guy Mc Farlane

It’s more than just the animals, right? They’re very hands-on. At the last Knoxville show, I remember seeing them walk someone through the care of a Gargoyle gecko, showing behavioral quirks and enclosure details, no rush. And they’re consistent, too—they’re at expos all over the Southeast, not just Knoxville. So if you’ve met them before, you’ll likely see them again, which creates continuity for buyers. Their Facebook’s always got updates on new clutches or what’ll be at the next show—feels very included, if that makes sense.

Lisa Parker

And don’t forget, they’re also approachable if you’re a total newbie. Their team is happy to explain the difference between a Chinese Cave gecko and a Leachie, or just help you figure out what you might want as a first reptile. The whole setup is there for learning and interactive discovery, not just selling.

Jay Tacey

And then we have Dreamz Pet & Exotics. Talk about Knoxville roots—these folks have been in the game over twenty years. Their tagline’s pretty simple and I love it: “to help people find their dream pets.” But the range at their booth is, honestly, wild: dart frogs, Pacman frogs, hognose, milk, corn and king snakes, you name it. They keep it broad so that local hobbyists, no matter their age, can find something that clicks for them.

Michael Arnold

This is where it gets personal for me. My oldest, a couple years back—he fell for a milk snake at a show like this. I remember Dreamz Pet’s team—super patient, no pressure, just walking us through every detail, what to expect, what not to do, even the myths and facts you never see online. And, I mean, when you see vendors who’ve been doing expos for decades and still have that hands-on, educational spirit, it makes a difference.

Guy Mc Farlane

That’s genuine community-building, which we’ve talked a lot about—especially in past episodes. I know Dreamz Pet keeps a steady presence on social, too, but it’s their outreach at these local Tennessee shows that cements their reputation. In-person, practical help and support… there’s just no substitute for that, especially for families testing the waters of exotic pets for the first time.

Lisa Parker

And, listen, between Electric Black’s excitement and Dreamz Pet’s breadth—you can see why Knoxville is so approachable for both newcomers and returning enthusiasts. You’re not just buying a reptile or frog, you’re joining a kind of extended hobby family that really values connection and knowledge. That’s why we put this show on your radar! Alright friends, I think that’s a wrap for today’s Knoxville preview—any last words, team?

Jay Tacey

Just—show up curious and plan to talk! Every booth is an invitation for learning, and Knoxville makes that easy. See you at the Jacob Building.

Michael Arnold

And bring the family, bring your questions, and if you find your “dream” critter, let us know! We want to hear your stories, too.

Guy Mc Farlane

Keep your minds open—there’s always more to learn. Thanks for another good roundtable, everyone.

Lisa Parker

Couldn’t have said it better! Thanks, team. We’ll be back soon with more vendor spotlights and reptile adventures. Bye, Jay—bye, Michael—bye, Guy!

Jay Tacey

See ya, everybody!

Michael Arnold

Take care!

Guy Mc Farlane

Goodbye, all.