Small Show, Big Adventure: Spotlight on Repticon Trussville

Lisa Parker

Alright, let’s kick things off, friends! This year's Repticon stop in Trussville, Alabama—so, the Birmingham area—runs December 13th and 14th at the Trussville Civic Center. Honestly, it's one of my favorite room setups anywhere. We open doors at 9am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday, which, let’s be real, is perfect for families—no frantic early-morning reptile runs! And yeah, if you wander in after lunch, there’s still plenty to do until we close up at 4 both days.

Guy Mc Farlane

That family-friendliness—it really stands out compared to some of those massive expos that feel a bit... well, overwhelming. Here, it’s a close-knit vibe. You can chat to breeders without yelling over the crowd, and it feels like everyone knows each other, at least a little.

Michael Arnold

I was just gonna say, Trussville is one of those stops where you don’t get lost in a maze of tables. I mean, the Civic Center's easy to find, you can park close, and you’re right in the thick of it as soon as you step inside. I think there’s something really welcoming about a show where you can take your time—especially for folks just starting out.

Jay Tacey

And you get a chance to really see everything, right? The smaller floor plan means every booth gets love, so if you’re a vendor, you’re getting noticed, and if you’re attending, you aren’t missing out on any hidden gems at the back of a big hall.

Lisa Parker

That’s actually what makes running Trussville so much fun for me. The venue staff—shoutout to them, they remember us every year—they’re always so helpful with setup. Plus, the crowd has such good energy. People wander in with their kids, ready to be surprised.

Jay Tacey

You know, building on what we touched on in the Johnson City episode, these smaller shows are kind of the perfect entry point for families and first-time buyers. You get those one-on-one conversations, clear signage, and an environment where it’s easy to actually learn something new—without feeling rushed.

Lisa Parker

That’s what we hope for! And alright, I’ll stop before I get all sentimental about vendor check-in. But Trussville really is my “smoothest show award” every year. And not only for me, but for anyone looking for a relaxed, personal reptile adventure.

Jay Tacey

So let’s talk about standout vendors—TikiTarantula out of Chattanooga always sparks joy for me. You walk by and it’s like, “Wait, did I just see a shrunken head next to an iridescent tarantula?” The variety is kind of wild—exotic tarantulas, scorpions, pest-proof insect jewelry, even geckos. I know they go by Tiki Trading Outpost online, but the live experience really sells it.

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, TikiTarantula somehow fits natural history museum meets roadside oddities shop into one booth. There’s always someone gawking at their shadowboxes, or asking, “Is that a real Green Bottle Blue?” And the answer is, usually—yes, and it’s gorgeous.

Lisa Parker

What I love, too, is their approachability. Their reviews? Five out of five, every time. And their return policy’s super buyer-friendly, so folks can try something new without stress—especially important when you’re stepping into the world of invertebrates.

Jay Tacey

Totally. I’ll get a bit personal—my first ever exotic pet was an Aphonopelma tarantula I bought as a (let’s say, enthusiastic) fourteen-year-old. Back then, it was rare anyone at a show told you much beyond “Here’s your spider, good luck!” But with vendors like TikiTarantula, new keepers—kids, teens, adults—get to ask every wild question and actually get real info. And, well, maybe get talked out of an impulse orb weaver purchase. But that’s part of why expos matter. They’re honest about care—like, if there’s something wrong, they’ll tell you, not just sell you anything.

Michael Arnold

It’s also just a blast to watch seasoned collectors and first-timers together—someone’s there to buy their fifth scorpion, and right next to them is a family debating between insect jewelry and a sticker for a new enclosure. The show presence is unmistakable. And man, having a booth you can remember a year later—that’s a big deal.

Lisa Parker

Exactly. And TikiTarantula’s approach sets the tone for the whole show. Unique, educational, and also just a little bit weird—in the best possible way! They really make these smaller expos feel like an adventure every time.

Michael Arnold

Alright—a Repticon show isn’t a Repticon show without some ball python magic, right? First, Fleming Reptiles from Carrollton, Georgia. Anthony Fleming runs a tight ship—they’ve been on MorphMarket since 2017, and it’s not just hype: over forty-seven different ball python morphs, all with clean health guarantees and actual educational support. I mean, this is a vendor new keepers can trust and seasoned collectors can debate with.

Jay Tacey

That many morphs? That’s a gene project waiting to happen! The trust and communication matter, though—having someone who will walk you through every step, especially if you’re uncertain, changes the whole experience. It makes it less about a transaction and more about joining the hobby.

Lisa Parker

And I have to add, Anthony’s booth is always set up with the kind of information and display that draws you in, even if you swore you were “just looking.” The return buyers come back for those educational chats as much as the snakes.

Michael Arnold

I’ll tell a quick story. The last time I ran into Anthony at a show, we swapped husbandry tips for a couple rare morphs—ended up trading notes on temperature gradients, and, I’ll admit, I got schooled on new substrate options. These events are so much about connection. Honestly, that’s what makes Trussville special—it’s not just about buying an animal; it’s sharing experiences, troubleshooting together, and getting inspired to experiment at home.

Guy Mc Farlane

Reptile shows are such a goldmine for that, right? And we can’t miss Family Reptiles from down in Lakeland, Florida. They’re pros—once you secure your new pet, they'll get you set up with just about everything else you need, including supplies and custom enclosures. Not just a shop, but a resource—active at more than seventy-five expos a year! It’s built on genuine family energy and years of expertise—they started out hoping to get their daughter a snake, and now they’re pillars in the hobby.

Jay Tacey

It really rounds out the Trussville show vibe: you’ve got trusted, educational breeders, supportive vendors, and opportunities to connect no matter your background in reptiles. Exactly why these shows matter—everyone walks out with something new, even if it’s just a fresh husbandry trick.

Lisa Parker

Well, that’s about a wrap for our Trussville spotlight, but honestly, the adventure never really ends, does it? There’s always another Repticon, another story, and a new face to meet. Thanks, Jay, Michael, Guy—always a pleasure hashing out the highlights with you all.

Jay Tacey

Thanks, Lisa. Can’t wait for the next episode—Trussville’s going to be a hard act to follow!

Michael Arnold

Yep, couldn’t agree more. Thanks everyone for tuning in, and see you down the road, wherever the next big reptile story takes us.

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers, team. And cheers to the whole community that keeps these shows vibrant. Until next time!