Alright, folks, welcome back to the Repticon Reptile Shows podcast! It's Lisa here and today, we’re all in for an awesome episode. We’re previewing Repticon Jacksonville, coming up October 18th and 19th—that’s a Saturday and Sunday—and it’ll all be happening at the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair & Expo Center. If you're new, doors open Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. It's one of those events that’s for everyone: seasoned reptile fans, curious families, total first-timers—a little bit of magic for everybody.You know what really gets me about the Jacksonville show, apart from the, uh, nice fall Florida weather—is how different it is from your basic pet expo. I mean, Repticon isn’t just tables of animals behind glass. It’s immersive. You walk in and you feel it—people connecting, kids getting hands-on with critters they’ve only seen on screen, and there’s this energy from all the learning happening right there. There’ll be live demos, talks, and... I don’t know, Michael, can I say “contagious passion” without sounding too cheesy?No, I think "contagious" actually works, Jay! Because if you’re just curious, it sucks you right in. There’s this vibe, whether you’re a long-time keeper—hi, fellow snake obsessed out there!—or just browsing for your first corn snake or tarantula. There’s space for both: the regulars who want that rare morph, and the families letting their kids meet a ball python for the first time. The vendors and hobbyists, they all love questions, too. That’s something we touched on in the Denver and Hickory previews—interaction really does make Repticon special.And that's what makes it ideal for families—I've seen entire groups come in, each member fascinated by something else. One wants to learn about spiders, another is after gecko care advice, another just wants to look at all the colors and shapes. There’s never a “wrong question” here. The atmosphere’s supportive, and honestly, the only time you see a frown is when someone realizes how soon closing time is. The educational talks, the meet-and-greets—it’s built for all levels. That's rare, and I think the expo center really gives everyone space to explore.Yep, and don’t forget—activities! Scavenger hunts for the kiddos, maybe some surprise critter encounters, hands-on learning stations. We design it so that you can spend a whole day and never get bored! There’s snacks, spots to just hang out, plus, you’ll meet people as geeky as we are about reptiles and inverts—which is always reassuring, right?Alright, let’s get into the vendor spotlights, because Jacksonville is stacked this year. First up, 616 Serpents—they’re local, from Middleburg, veteran-owned, and if you’re into Blood Pythons or Ball Pythons... just wow. Richard and Carol Funderburg run it, they’ve been at this since the nineties, and their booth always draws a crowd. They focus on quality over quantity—really selectively bred animals. If you’re after unique morphs, like Goldeneye or T+ Albino Bloods, this is the table where you want to stop. Their genetic integrity is top-notch, and their 5.0 MorphMarket rating? That’s forty-plus buyers all giving them perfect reviews, especially for communication and the overall experience.I have to chime in on that one. Ethical, healthy animals, and the customer gets, frankly, hand-holding if you need it—so if you’re a new keeper, you won’t feel lost. They’re definitely one of those operations that set a high bar, and they don’t just sell—they’re out there in the community, doing educational outreach. Their table is always busy for a reason.Let’s talk The Exotic Kingdom. They specialize in captive-bred tarantulas and other invertebrates, and they’re renowned for not just selling, but educating. You walk up, you’ll get guidance on care, even if your questions are a bit basic. They participate in these expos to actually engage, teach, and help folks become responsible keepers. I recognize a lot of repeat buyers who first met them at a show, and now they’re well into the hobby.And now for a real heartstring-puller: Aloha Kai Lani! Not only are they bringing beautiful, Hawaiian-inspired ceramic, glass, and metal décor—laser engraved, all that good stuff—but every purchase goes straight into supporting their exotic animal rescue efforts. It’s family run, super creative, and honestly, their booth looks like an island oasis in the middle of reptiles and feeders. They’re not just selling cute trinkets, they’re on a mission: everything they make helps them get closer to opening their own animal sanctuary. If you want your home to look cute and want your dollars to count for something more, please visit them. Every design tells a story, every purchase supports animals. It’s pretty special.It's awesome how every one of these vendors stands for something bigger than just commerce—there’s dedication, education, ethics, and in some cases, a pretty cool dream, too. Oh—and pro-tip: don’t be afraid to ask about animal care or where your dollars are going. They love that engagement. Sometimes it leads to long conversations—you might even get roped into the community chat, but, hey, that’s half the fun.Let’s talk about getting the most out of your day at Repticon. It’s tempting to just dive in and start buying things, but honestly, start by talking to the breeders. Ask about care; ask about their setups. Even if it feels a bit awkward—there are no silly questions here. The educational talks and live demonstrations? Do them. You’ll see proper handling and sometimes get to assist—those are golden opportunities for beginners and seasoned folks alike.That’s right. You know, I had this great moment—actually, I’m gonna risk repeating myself from a past Jacksonville show... There was a first-time snake keeper, totally unsure, looking at one of 616 Serpents’ more striking Blood Pythons. Carol took the time to walk them through what to expect, how to set up the enclosure, feeding tips, all of it. I watched the uncertainty just melt away. By the time they left, they had a snake, a full list of care tips, and... this is the part that stuck—they came back the next year to show photos of their animal. That engagement is what makes people into lifelong advocates for these misunderstood species.And it’s not just snakes—The Exotic Kingdom does this, too. One visitor bought their first ever tarantula a couple years ago, had a million questions about husbandry, habitat, molting, you name it. The vendor staff coached them through it, gave them resources, and now? They’re a regular. They’re always hanging out at the invertebrate booth, answering questions for newbies because they remember what it was like. It honestly gives me the warm fuzzies watching the torch passed on like that.See, that’s why it’s so special. And sometimes, the best tip is just: hang around, soak up the conversations. Some of the coolest info comes from offhand remarks you overhear between community members, trust me. Also, bring a notepad, jot down booth numbers, and if you see someone struggling—help ‘em out. We’re all in this together. As we’ve said before in our Denver and Hickory spotlights, connecting with your local community and experts is what makes the whole thing stick.And don’t forget—if you don’t come home with a critter or a piece of décor, you’re still leaving with something: more knowledge, new friends, and maybe dreams for next year! There’s always another show, and we’ll be here helping you plan for it all over again.Seriously! No matter how many shows I see, the excitement of new faces coming into the reptile hobby—it never gets old. Alright, that’s a wrap for today! Thanks so much for joining us. We’ll catch you at the Fairgrounds or, if not, tune in next time.Take care, everyone! Hope to see you in Jacksonville—don’t be shy, come say hi at the vendor tables or at one of the talks. And good luck on those scavenger hunts! Lisa, Jay, Guy—always a pleasure.Bye everyone! Can’t wait to welcome you at Repticon Jacksonville!Farewell, all. See you at the expo, or next episode!

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