Family Fun at Repticon Charleston

Lisa Parker

Alright everybody, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! It's Lisa here—yes, kazoo safely tucked away for now—and I’m so excited to be chatting with Jay, Michael, and Guy about the return of Repticon Charleston. So, mark those calendars—September 27th, 9am to 4pm, and September 28th, 10am to 4pm, at Exchange Park’s Cultural Arts Building, in Ladson, South Carolina. This is a great show—right at the start of fall and packed with stuff for every age group.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, Lisa, there’s something about the vibe at Charleston Repticon that’s just so… I mean, it’s got that laid-back, genuinely welcoming energy. You walk in, there are families, kids buzzing around, and then you hit those live animal displays—snakes, lizards, geckos, frogs—the works! My boys love it. And the hands-on encounters? Honestly, I’ve seen more nervous parents end up loving the gecko table. You don’t have to be a hardcore keeper, just curious.

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, Michael. It’s all about experience. I always tell people—even if you’re on the fence about reptiles, just give those hands-on moments a try. There’s something transformative about touching a corn snake or holding a bearded dragon. I think that’s where lifelong interests really begin—direct experience. Plus, the event is genuinely family-driven. There’s no pressure, just opportunity to observe and participate.

Jay Tacey

And you know, that sparks a little nostalgia for me. Uh, let me take us back a bit. I was, what, about six or seven, growing up in Ohio, and the first pet I begged my parents to get was this absolutely tiny, fuzzy spider. I don't know what it was about that little thing, but, honestly, it sent me on this wild course to where I am today. And here’s my point—shows like Repticon Charleston give kids (and adults!) that first spark. You see a tarantula up close, or you get to watch a lizard eat, maybe touch a snake that’s “not slimy” at all and… I mean, it can shape your whole path. These events matter more than people realize.

Lisa Parker

That’s so true, Jay. And these events really are a launchpad—whether you’re a returning hobbyist or bringing your family to a show for the first time. There’s something about the Repticon atmosphere… You just feel welcome the moment you walk in. Trust me, I’ve worked a ton of these, and Charleston’s always got this great mix of regulars and brand new faces—all eager to learn or just have fun.

Jay Tacey

Speaking of new faces and regulars—let’s talk vendors. Trust me, you’ll wanna make time for some standouts. First up, Beach Front Exotics, right out of Myrtle Beach. If you've got even a passing interest in Western Hognose snakes—those little snakes with personalities for days—they specialize in some stunning morphs: Conda, Arctic, Sunburst, you name it. And they’ve got this rep for great support, so you won’t go home with questions unanswered.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and following up with another big favorite—Sterling Exotics from Garner, North Carolina. Female-owned and bringing, honestly, a pretty wide variety: they’ve got Western Hognose, tree frogs, mourning geckos, tropical plants… It’s almost like you’re walking into a hobbyist’s mini-jungle. Their customer reviews are about as close to perfect as it gets—total five stars, and people rave about their patience and help. So, good for first-timers too.

Guy Mc Farlane

Can’t forget Mid Florida Displays from Dade City, Florida. These folks are the go-to for handcrafted, modular reptile enclosures and incubators. I mean, if you want something that’ll last—and look sharp—they offer back heating, LED options, and the kind of design that adapts as your collection grows. I’ve seen their enclosures hold up through all manner of reptile adventures, and customization is a huge plus. If you’re thinking of an upgrade, it’s worth stopping by their booth and just… poking around, seeing how it all fits together.

Lisa Parker

And as someone who’s helped set up more than a few booth layouts—let me tell you, these three really bring the creativity. Vendors like these make my job an adventure every time. You just get that extra layer of excitement when a booth goes above and beyond—not just selling, but creating an experience.

Michael Arnold

It’s that blend of high-quality animals, creative displays, and honest conversation you just can’t replicate online. And as we've talked about before, go prepared with questions—these folks love sharing what they know, and it makes all the difference for new and experienced guests alike.

Jay Tacey

Totally. Ask vendors about feeding routines, enclosure sizes, everything. The knowledge exchange at these tables is a huge part of what makes Repticon, well, Repticon.

Lisa Parker

So you’ve got the vendors scoped out—but don’t forget the activities. The digital scavenger hunt is back, and honestly, y’all, it’s fun for kids and adults. You just need a phone, scan the hunt QR code at check in, and then you’ll be trying to spot checkpoints around the building. It’s this perfect way to get everyone moving and looking at displays they might otherwise miss.

Guy Mc Farlane

And while you’re making the rounds, definitely check out the educational seminars. There’s a real lineup of experts—herpetologists, specialty breeders, carnivorous plant folks—covering all levels. I can’t count how often a simple talk on something like bioactive habitats suddenly gets someone building their own setup at home. And if you’ve got younger attendees, sometimes those live animal demos give them the confidence to ask questions (or, you know, try to convince their parents to bring home a gecko).

Lisa Parker

Let me throw in some practical advice here too. First—arrive early. I’m a broken record about this, but the best selection of animals and supplies is always in the first few hours on Saturday. Bring a reusable bag—between the merch, scavenger hunt prizes, and maybe a new enclosure, you’ll be thankful you’re not juggling plastic. And, don’t skip the hands-on stuff. Seriously, you’re here—make a memory. Even if you’re just a little bit curious, those animal encounters are the moments kids talk about for months. Or, uh, adults like me geek out for the rest of the day.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and if you’re overwhelmed just by looking at the layout—they post the vendor map online ahead of time, so planning a path helps. Leave a little time for wandering, though. You never know what you’ll stumble into—a captive-bred frog you’ve never seen, a carnivorous plant from the folks at Hunter Flytraps, you name it. The main thing is—keep an open mind. That’s how you spark the next generation of reptile lovers. And who knows, maybe you’ll leave with your own “first spider” story to tell.

Lisa Parker

I love that! And it’s honestly my favorite part of show weekends—seeing people discover something new, or reconnect with a childhood passion. So whether you’re coming as a family, solo, or with your local herp club, Repticon Charleston is the place to be September 27th and 28th. We’ll be back with more vendor spotlights and show stories in the next episode—thanks so much for tuning in! Michael, Guy, Jay—always a joy, and I’ll see y’all out there.

Michael Arnold

Thanks, Lisa! Can’t wait to see everyone in Charleston. Don’t forget to say hi—we love meeting listeners in person.

Guy Mc Farlane

Likewise. And if you have a question or get a photo with your new animal, tag us—we wanna see all those memories!

Jay Tacey

Absolutely. Keep exploring, folks, and we’ll catch you in the next episode. Take care, everyone!