Tampa Repticon: Thousands turns out for exotic pet show
Pet owners of all kinds joined reptile enthusiasts over the weekend in Tampa, on March 18 & 19, 2017, for Repticon. Reptile and exotic animal pet ownership continues to grow and a variety of vendors were on hand to meet the needs and answer questions of the patrons.
From snakes to frogs to iguanas to bearded dragons, there was something for everyone. Even those who don’t own a pet directly were there to enjoy the exotic creatures.
“I used to own a bearded dragon,” Sierra, a HCC college student, visiting one booth, told the Global Dispatch. “They are easy to take care of and I’m considering getting another once I move into an apartment near USF.
She was gathering business cards, asking questions and truly amazed at the vast collection. “I’ve been to several shows and you always see something different,” she added.
Chris King, owner of Kingsmorphs in St. Pete was there to help the young college student as is large adult posed for a great photo holding the company’s business card – check out the pic at the bottom.
Beginning on Saturday, hundreds gathered and poured into the Florida State Fairgrounds convention hall and would be become a few thousand when the show ended on Sunday afternoon.
Many took in one of the seminars on animal-related topics by experts in the field of herpetology. Others just enjoyed the unique family outing suitable for all ages and for a very diverse range of enthusiasts.
Repticon 2017 photo/ Brandon Jones
Even if you missed it, the schedule is the same for each show: The doors open to the general public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, closing at 5 p.m. On Sunday, the show hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. At the door, tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5-12, and children under 5 are admitted free. VIP and advance tickets may be purchased from our website at http://repticon.com/florida/
Visit their site for a future show in your area or earmark the calendar for the next show in Tampa: June 10& 11, 2017 at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Chameleon up close at Repticon 2017 photo/Brandon Jones
Get up close to exotic reptiles at Repticon photo/ Brandon Jones
About the Repticon Tampa Show:
After three years in alternate venues (the Harborside Center in Clearwater, the USF Sundome in Tampa, and the Manatee Civic Center in Palmetto), Repticon is proud to have hosted the return of the ORIGINAL Tampa show to its longtime home at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa held in the Charles M. Davis SpecialEvents Center, a clean and brightly lit modern facility that offers exhibitors and and attendees an upgraded building in a familiar location. In June 2009, this phenomenal show ran to enormous crowds that were enthusiastic about the sold out vendor offerings. In 2010, after a great show at the USF Sun Dome in February, Repticon returned twice to the now permanent home for this show, and the Florida International Reptile Show, aka Repticon Tampa, will now stay at the Fairgrounds! Come back in 2017 for this great and most dynamic of all Repticon Shows!
Bearded Dragon posing at Repticon Tampa photo/Brandon Jones
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