ReptiDay Port Charlotte: Family Fun and Featured Vendors

Jay Tacey

Alright, folks—if you’re anywhere near Florida on September 13th, you seriously don’t wanna sleep on ReptiDay Port Charlotte. It’s at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, and honestly, it’s become one of the most anticipated family-friendly expos on the calendar. There’s just something about these one-day shows that feels extra energized, you know? Like, you get the whole community showing up—newbies, veteran herpers, little kids running around with wide eyes. It’s such a hands-on, welcoming environment. Every booth, every tank, there’s something to see or touch or, let’s be honest, something to learn even if you think you know it all.

Lisa Parker

I totally agree, Jay. That’s the thing—what I love most is that it’s not just about walking around and looking at animals through glass. We put a ton of effort into making these events interactive and educational. You can talk directly to breeders, get hands-on with reptiles—and for the kids (and the adults, who am I kidding)—it’s this chance to actually hold a snake or a gecko and get those questions answered. And, uh, as someone who manages a lot of these events, lemme just say: our vendor hall is always buzzing at Port Charlotte!

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, Lisa. From a conservation and animal welfare perspective, these expos are invaluable. And Jay, your point about sparking lifelong passions? Couldn’t be more true. I actually met a little boy at last year’s ReptiDay, maybe seven or eight, who was utterly transfixed by a Dumeril’s boa. The breeder let him gently touch it, explained all about its natural behavior—and you could literally see the spark. That’s how future veterinarians, biologists, or committed keepers are born. I’ve seen it in South Africa, in Saudi—here in Florida it’s the exact same kind of impact.

Jay Tacey

And, not to go off on a total tangent, but when I was designing animal exhibits, the whole idea was: can you make people care by making them feel? That’s what ReptiDay is about at the core. It’s not just commerce—it’s connection. You don’t get those moments staring at a YouTube video or shopping online. You get ‘em holding a living, breathing snake in person.

Michael Arnold

And you can’t beat that for families, really. I mean, to have everyone—from grandparents to toddlers—leave with a story, a photo, and that little bit of “hey, let’s look up dart frogs when we get home”—that’s how you build the future of this community. Sorry, got a little soapboxy there.

Michael Arnold

Speaking of the vendor hall, we gotta talk Agocs Exotics. If you’ve been to a Florida expo in the last couple years, you know their booth—the one basically packed shoulder-to-shoulder with curious folks. They’re family-run, out of North Fort Myers, and they bring everything: geckos, ball pythons, even some wild arachnids. Plus, you need food, enclosures, whatever… It’s all under one roof with them. I honestly don’t know how they fit so much stock on their tables. It’s like Mary Poppins’ bag but for reptiles.

Lisa Parker

And it’s not just the variety, right, Michael? They’re super flexible. Cash, card, Venmo, you name it—they’ll probably take it. And their payment plans make it a lot more accessible for families or anyone looking at a bigger investment animal. We hear a lot from guests who appreciate that, especially if they’re new and nervous about making a big first purchase.

Guy Mc Farlane

What sets them apart, in my view, is how they create community at their booth. It’s not just sales—they take time with every question, and I saw them last expo happily demoing proper habitat setups for a young couple. Trustworthiness starts with transparency, and they absolutely deliver that. Reptile expos are only as good as their vendors—and Agocs consistently raises the bar for what it means to be customer-forward and supportive.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and you can’t ignore their reputation—5.0 on MorphMarket, those “Knockout” and “Loved” badges... that’s built on years of doing right by their customers and their animals. I think in the last episode about Pembroke Pines, we circled back over and over to trust and education as the backbone of good expos. Agocs really fits in with that lineage. You walk up to their table and feel you’re part of the reptile world already—even if you just got bit by the bug, so to speak.

Michael Arnold

Every time I pass by, it’s buzzing. And hey, if you can walk away with a leopard gecko, a tub of substrate, AND solid advice in one spot? That’s pretty tough to beat at any level. Sorry, I could go on, but I’ll let someone else take the mic…

Lisa Parker

I’ll jump in, Michael—and while Agocs is the ultimate one-stop shop, I get so excited about the specialty vendors, too. Artesian Exotics comes straight outta Tampa and they are—no exaggeration—your go-to source for isopods and everything you need for a thriving bioactive enclosure. I mean, if you want your terrarium to look and work like an actual forest floor, you gotta stop at their table. They started as hobbyists, now they’re a trusted name across Florida and nationwide with shipping. It’s just… passion for naturalistic care, you know?

Jay Tacey

Can’t say enough about what adding isopods and a proper bioactive setup can do—not just for your animal’s health, but for how much fun you have as a keeper. And Artesian is really dialed in. I remember, in Bradenton, their booth had lines all day. People want solutions that work and keep things natural. They educate as much as they sell, which is always a sign of a solid vendor.

Guy Mc Farlane

Let’s not skip Swamp Ape Exotics, either—one of my favorites for enthusiast keepers. They’re all about those niche constrictors: Dumeril’s boas, Angolan pythons, some ball pythons sprinkled in, too. The appeal of those less-common species is growing—especially with people ready to move from “starter snakes” to a genuine collecting hobby. More and more, I see these specialty breeders drawing big interest at shows. And Port Charlotte is perfect for that kind of curiosity-driven shopping.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, the mix in the vendor hall is what makes it electric. You got mainstays like Agocs, passionate micro-breeders like Artesian and Swamp Ape—and, alright, I know this is kind of dorky, but sometimes I just love watching people argue about the “best substrate” while some kid’s asking to hold a tarantula. It’s chaos, but in a good way.

Lisa Parker

That’s honestly my favorite part of running these vendor halls! We have education, collector’s items, supplies, and people with genuine stories behind every table. And—okay, don’t laugh—you can guarantee at some point I’ll break out the kazoo just to pump up the energy when it gets a little too quiet. If you catch the kazoo encore, you know you’re at a great show! That harmony, that back-and-forth—it’s what makes ReptiDay so much more than a shopping trip. It’s a total experience.

Jay Tacey

Before we wrap up, let’s talk about what’s new this year on the programming front. There are educational workshops, live animal demos, Q&A sessions with breeders—really, we’re leaning into hands-on more than ever. You don’t need to be an expert. In fact, these are perfect for beginners: you can participate in handling sessions, learn habitat-building skills, and get those fundamental husbandry questions sorted out by folks who’ve actually walked the walk. If you’re a parent: bring your kid, but also bring your questions. There’s never been a better place for real answers than at a workshop table.

Guy Mc Farlane

Sharing that kind of practical knowledge—whether it’s how to handle your first gecko, or how to set up a bioactive terrarium safely—is what helps keepers new and seasoned avoid mistakes, and that’s crucial for animal welfare. It’s not just about the animal; it’s about creating the right environment so that animal can thrive. Try to hit at least one demo, even if you’ve kept reptiles before—there’s always new tricks out there.

Lisa Parker

And pro tip for making the most of your ReptiDay: check the vendor list online before you come! Plot a route, jot down a couple of questions, and definitely schedule in time for the workshops or demos. The more prepared you are, the more value you’ll squeeze out of your day. And hey—don’t ever be shy about approaching a vendor and asking away. That’s what they’re there for!

Michael Arnold

Also, make it a point to chat with other attendees—sometimes you’ll pick up the most useful advice from a fellow hobbyist in line for a food truck, seriously. The community vibe is so strong at these things, which is what makes ‘em stick with you long after you leave. And, look, if nothing else, you’ll at least leave with a selfie holding a snake. How many other places can promise that?

Jay Tacey

Alright, that’s our sneak peek for ReptiDay Port Charlotte on September 13th—don’t say we didn’t give you enough reasons to be there! We’ll have more vendor highlights and behind-the-scenes scoops in future episodes. Until then, take care of each other—and your animals.

Lisa Parker

Thanks, everyone—look for me racing around with my event checklist and maybe a kazoo solo or two. See y’all at the Fairgrounds!

Guy Mc Farlane

Thanks for listening—let’s keep building that passion for herps, one expo at a time. See you in Port Charlotte!

Michael Arnold

Can’t wait to meet everyone on the day—bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe your wallet! Cheers, everyone.