Spotlight on Repticon Asheville

Jay Tacey

Alright, welcome back everybody to another episode of Repticon Reptile Shows! I'm Jay Tacey here with Michael Arnold, Lisa Parker, and Guy Mc Farlane. Today we’re shining the spotlight on Asheville—which, oh man, it might just be my favorite stop on the calendar. Now, if you haven’t been, Repticon Asheville’s set for November 15th and 16th, 2025, at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center—Expo Building out in Fletcher. That’s 775 New Airport Road, if you’re plugging it in. I’m tellin’ you, you drive out there and it’s this beautiful Smoky Mountain backdrop, especially in November with the colors starting to peak. It’s picture-perfect. And then you get there and walk into this big, buzzing Expo Building—well, it’s all energy. Folks start pouring in right at 9am Saturday, then Sunday’s doors open at 10, both days running until 4pm.

Lisa Parker

You know, Jay, what still blows me away is just how family-friendly and…it’s almost cozy, even with hundreds of people. We’ve got ample parking, you can barely see the end of the rows, but you never feel pressed. There’s food trucks outside, tons of hands-on exhibits, and a schedule of educational talks for both days. I’ll be running around on my walkie, but I always peek over at the kids—seriously, last year, I caught a group sitting cross-legged in the aisle, just absolutely glued to one of the breeders showing a boa. Like, real wide-eyed, awestruck kind of magic. Remember those faces?

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and not just the kids! I mean, last year, Mike, I think you and I wandered into one of those talks, and honestly, even I was learning something new. It’s the atmosphere—high-energy, a lotta positive curiosity. There’s just this electricity in the air. Even if you’re not buying a thing, you leave buzzing with questions or, uh, probably with a photo of yourself nervously holding a snake for the first time.

Michael Arnold

Oh, totally! That first-time-handling grin. Every year I see it—adults and kids. And the breeders? They love it. There’s almost a rhythm to the weekend—people laughing, snapping photos, sometimes crowding around a table because someone’s about to feed a gecko or explain bioactivity to a new keeper. Guy, you caught all the murals behind the vendors last year, right? That mountain backdrop literally comes in the building through the attitude of the whole community.

Guy Mc Farlane

Yeah, I remember arriving and thinking, “This…this is different to every other show I’ve worked.” There is a real sense of the region—the Smokies on the horizon, you step inside and it’s still got that relaxed, open vibe. Even when it’s busy, it doesn’t feel overwhelming like some conventions do. Maybe it’s the venue or the team or just…Asheville folk? But it’s always good energy, people helping each other out, vendors chatting, families taking their time. That kind of venue, honestly, is gold for accessibility and for encouraging genuine conversations between breeders and visitors.

Lisa Parker

And, hey: if you’re the type to map out your day, we’ve got an interactive vendor map online too. I always tell families, grab that map early, plan your route—there’s so much to see you don’t want to miss those hidden gems tucked in the corners. And keep an eye on the education schedule—we stagger talks so you can catch more than one while you browse. It just keeps that Repticon spirit alive, you know?

Michael Arnold

Let’s jump into the vendors—because honestly, the lineup in Asheville is wild. But three really stand out this year: Appalachian Axolotls, Gecko Girls Exotics, and Home Sweet Home. You wanna start, Jay?

Jay Tacey

Happy to. First up—Appalachian Axolotls. Now, I love axolotls, and this breeder from right here in the Great Smoky Mountains does it right. They focus on healthy, vibrant animals—Copper, Leucistic, Melanoid, fluffy-gilled Golden Albinos, you name it—and what sets them apart isn’t just the genetics or health, but the education. You go to their table, you’ll get care sheets, feeding guides, real talk about water quality. And their Instagram is ace if you want behind-the-scenes—lots of baby axolotls and tips.

Lisa Parker

Oh, their booth is always buzzing! I mean, how many times have I walked by and seen a parent and child with a “What IS that?!” look? Their direct customer support, too—they’ll walk you through setup, common mistakes, and troubleshoot right there. And you feel the passion. Plus, their whole ethical approach—only breeding for health, being transparent about husbandry—it just builds trust, especially with new keepers.

Guy Mc Farlane

Transparency is huge in this hobby. And it’s the same with Gecko Girls Exotics—right from Fletcher, so this is their home turf. They’re family-run, specializing in crested, gargoyle, and leopard geckos, and I’ll just say it: their MorphMarket feedback is flawless. Five stars, tons of buyers raving about Joy’s clear communication, the healthy animals, even local pickup that’s actually convenient. I like how every gecko is given individual care, health-tested, and the dragons get ADV testing with the University of Florida. Makes a difference!

Michael Arnold

It gives people confidence, Guy. I get a fair few questions about how to trust a seller, and Gecko Girls really put it out there—Instagram stories, show updates, and customer reviews that talk more about the experience than just the transaction. You get the sense that they remember every animal, not just treat them as “stock.”

Lisa Parker

And there’s that feel-good factor with Home Sweet Home, too. This is an Atlanta-based, mother-daughter team, and their setup is a must-see for families. You’ll find custom 3D-printed pet accessories—stuff like ledges, hides, feeding trays—and loads of crochet animals, even live isopods if you want to start a bioactive setup. But it’s just as much about the creativity and the warm welcome. They offer toys, fidgets, and handmade plushies, so for kids or anyone wanting a reptile vibe without the live animal—hey, this is your table.

Guy Mc Farlane

The bioactive angle is cool, too. Their 3D-printed things aren’t just pretty, they’re actually functional, helping with more naturalistic husbandry. I’ve seen parents pick up a crocheted snake and then veer into “Wait, what’s an isopod?!”—it sparks conversation, gets people thinking about the ecosystem, not just the animal. And that makes for a more complete, accessible show in my view.

Michael Arnold

And the mother-daughter story? You feel that connection at the table—there’s a community-first approach. For folks nervous about starting out, or those just wanting something fun and creative, they’ve really broadened what you can “take away” from a reptile show.

Lisa Parker

Yeah, it’s not all about scales or slithers—it’s about stories, learning, and making the hobby approachable for all ages. I love seeing folks leave their table—sometimes with a gecko, sometimes with a crochet frog, always smiling.

Michael Arnold

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from traveling show to show, it’s that extra little question you ask a vendor can totally change your experience. Especially for families—don’t just look at the animal, ask the breeder, “What’s their story?” A lot of them remember quirks about individual animals—favorite foods, strange habits, even their “escape artist” gecko tales. It makes the whole thing real, memorable. Not just a pet, but a personality you’re bringing home.

Guy Mc Farlane

That’s exactly it, Michael. People connect with stories—and when vendors share openly, you see kids and adults light up. As someone who’s spent years designing animal experiences, I find those moments help demystify reptiles. You break down barriers, and suddenly a young visitor who thought snakes were “scary” is curious, asking about care, or even giggling at a python who “likes to sunbathe.” It’s about impressions, not just information.

Lisa Parker

And from the event side, we’ve really built the show around that spirit. Asheville always brings an open, inquisitive crowd—from the retired herpers to first-timer families. We’ve planned plenty of space for folks with strollers, lots of food options so no one goes hungry, and easy accessibility—you don’t have to be a “pro” to jump in. Our hands-on exhibits are designed so everyone—big or little—can be part of it. I think that accessibility, that openness, is kind of what sets Asheville apart.

Jay Tacey

And I gotta say, that energy really ripples outward. You’ll see three generations together, asking vendors, “What made you fall in love with reptiles?”—and nine times out of ten, it’s some story about a childhood encounter, a field trip, a wild frog in the backyard. There’s something about Asheville’s vibe that encourages those stories to flow. That’s what I love—because that first positive experience might just turn a skeptic into a lifelong herp fan.

Michael Arnold

And for folks tuning in for tips: really, don’t be afraid to start a conversation. Ask how they ensure healthy animals, what’s unique about their setups, even if you sound “new.” It’s normal to feel a little out of your depth, but the vendors are ready for all questions. As we said about Bessemer and Atlanta before, it’s always worth stepping up to learn.

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely! Plus, plan your parking, bring a water bottle, maybe a notebook if you want to remember cool facts or species. I might be the “project management” guy on this, but…a tiny bit of prep goes a long way to making your Repticon experience special.

Lisa Parker

Best of all, there’s no wrong way to enjoy the show. Whether you leave with a new pet, new knowledge, or just a souvenir from Home Sweet Home, every visit grows the community. And you can always catch us wandering the floor—if you see me, wave and say hi!

Jay Tacey

Couldn’t agree more. And that’s a wrap for today! Repticon Asheville—November 15th and 16th. Whether you’re a seasoned keeper or just curious, come out for the energy, the vendors, the fun. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you at the next show on Repticon Reptile Shows.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, thanks for tuning in, everybody. Lisa, Guy, Jay—I’ll see you all at Asheville. Until next time!

Lisa Parker

Goodbye, friends! Hope to see you on the expo floor soon. Bring your questions, bring your curiosity—we’ve always got room for more reptile fans.

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers, everyone! Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to check out the vendor map before you come. Bye all!