Episode 2: Two Big Repticon Weekends and a Leopard Gecko Care Sheet

Lydia Wolfe

Hey friends, welcome back. This is episode two, and we are doing a nice, practical little weekend planner for reptile folks because March is shaping up to be busy in the best way. I’m Lydia Wolfe, and I’m here with Michael Arnold.

Michael Arnold

Hey everybody. Yeah, this is one of those weekends where, if you like expos, you kind of want the clone machine from a sci-fi movie because there are two Repticon stops happening at the same time.

Lydia Wolfe

Truly - two big stops, same weekend: Jacksonville, Florida and Greenville, South Carolina.

Michael Arnold

Both are on March 28 and 29, 2026, so if you’re listening and trying to map out your spring, that is the headline right there. Saturday and Sunday, same weekend, two different cities, both solid options depending on where you are.

Lydia Wolfe

And I like doing these episodes because sometimes people hear “expo” and think it’s this vague, giant thing they’ll somehow figure out in the parking lot. Which... no shame, I have definitely shown up places with the energy of “I guess we’ll learn together.” But it’s way easier if you know the basics before you leave home.

Michael Arnold

Exactly. Dates, hours, ticket choices, what you can bring, what you should not bring—that stuff matters. It makes the day smoother, especially if you’ve got kids with you, or you’re planning to make a purchase, or you’re trying to hit a seminar and still browse tables.

Lydia Wolfe

And if you’re brand new, these weekends can be really fun even if you’re just going to look and learn. You don’t have to rush into buying anything. Honestly, sometimes the best first expo trip is just walking, asking questions, seeing setups, seeing species in person, and getting a feel for what kind of animal actually fits your life.

Michael Arnold

That’s a great point. People do a lot better when they slow down and talk to exhibitors. And just as a general reminder, purchases at these shows are between guests and the individual exhibitors. Repticon itself isn’t the seller for the animals and products on those tables, so it’s smart to keep track of who you bought from and hang on to contact info.

Lydia Wolfe

Yes. Please do future-you that favor. Snap a photo of the business card, save the name, keep the receipt. Tiny thing, huge help later. And today we’re splitting this up pretty simply: first, we set the weekend. Then we’ll dig into Jacksonville. Then Greenville. Nice and tidy.

Michael Arnold

And both stops fall under that same March 28 and 29 weekend, which is kind of nice because if you’ve got friends in different areas, everybody’s getting their reptile fix at the same time.

Lydia Wolfe

There’s something sweet about that, honestly. Little pockets of reptile people all over, collectively going, “Should I buy feeder supplies while I’m here? Should I get decor? Should I stare at geckos for forty minutes?” The answer is usually yes.

Michael Arnold

The gecko staring is mandatory. And for anybody planning ahead, both events run Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, 2026. So put it on the family calendar now before soccer, birthday parties, or, you know, life happens.

Lydia Wolfe

That’s your mission. Mark the weekend, pick your city, and come in with a plan. All right, let’s start in Jacksonville.

Michael Arnold

So Jacksonville is happening March 28 and 29, 2026 at Duval Hall, Room B. The address is 13601 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32221.

Lydia Wolfe

And that “Room B” detail is worth saying out loud because venue complexes can get a little maze-like. You think, “Oh, I’ll just follow the crowd,” and then suddenly you’re at the wrong hall looking confused and carrying a coffee you’re scared to spill.

Michael Arnold

Very real problem. Hours are straightforward though: Saturday is 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday is 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lydia Wolfe

I actually like that setup. Early start Saturday if you want first crack at things, and a slightly slower Sunday morning. So if you are a “let’s get there right when doors open” person, Saturday is your day. If you’re more of a coffee-first, then reptiles kind of human, Sunday might feel gentler.

Michael Arnold

Ticket options are also pretty easy to remember. There’s a Super Ticket for fifteen dollars for adults, six dollars for kids ages five to twelve, and ages four and under are free. The Super Ticket is good for all day both show days, and it’s available online only.

Lydia Wolfe

That one’s nice if you know you want the full weekend. Maybe you’re shopping one day and then coming back the next day because you needed to think. Which, by the way, I support. Impulse buys and live animals should not be in the same category.

Michael Arnold

Absolutely. Then you’ve got single-day options. Saturday all-day tickets are twelve dollars for adults, six dollars for ages five to twelve, and four and under are free. There’s also a Saturday after 1:00 p.m. ticket for ten dollars for adults, same six-dollar child ticket. Sunday all-day is twelve dollars for adults, six dollars for kids, and again, four and under are free. Those ticket options are also available online only.

Lydia Wolfe

So if you’re listening on the drive over—well, ideally your passenger is handling that. But seriously, don’t assume you can just sort it out some other way. Online only means plan ahead.

Michael Arnold

And parking fees, if there are any, are something you need to check with the venue directly.

Lydia Wolfe

That’s one of those little practical details people forget. Same with food and drink rules. Some venues have restrictions, so before you head in with a giant snack bag or your favorite travel mug, it’s smart to double-check the venue rules.

Michael Arnold

Same goes if you’re wondering about bringing personal animals. Repticon’s guest FAQ says guests can bring up to two animals inside the event, but state or local laws may still prohibit that, and some venues may have their own restrictions. So you really do need to verify before you show up.

Lydia Wolfe

And please, please remember there’s a very specific Florida note for this show. Florida law prohibits the display of pet iguana species and tegus in public settings. So pet Green Iguanas and Tegus are not allowed within the show, regardless of permit status.

Michael Arnold

That’s an important one. It’s there for legal compliance and for everyone’s protection, so don’t treat it like a maybe. It’s a no.

Lydia Wolfe

Yeah, not a gray area, not a “but mine is sweet,” not a “we’ll just keep him covered.” Just no. And honestly, that’s why I’m big on checking rules before you leave home. It saves stress, saves awkward conversations at the door, and it keeps the event running smoothly for everybody.

Michael Arnold

Exactly. So that’s Jacksonville: March 28 and 29, 2026, Duval Hall, Room B, Saturday 9:00 to 4:00, Sunday 10:00 to 4:00, online-only ticket options, and double-check venue policies before you head out.

Lydia Wolfe

Perfect. Now let’s scoot over to Greenville, because it’s the same weekend and a very similar setup—but with its own location details you’ll want handy.

Lydia Wolfe

All right, Greenville. This one is also March 28 and 29, 2026, and it’s at Hejaz Temple, formerly the Greenville Shrine Club and Event Center. The address is 119 Beverly Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29609.

Michael Arnold

So same weekend as Jacksonville, just in South Carolina. And the show hours match too, which makes it easy: Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lydia Wolfe

I love when two shows line up like that because it makes planning super simple. No weird memorization. Saturday early, Sunday a little later. Done.

Michael Arnold

Ticket structure matches Jacksonville as well. Super Tickets are fifteen dollars for adults, six dollars for ages five to twelve, and kids four and under are free. Those are good for all day both show days and are available online only.

Lydia Wolfe

Then Saturday all-day is twelve dollars for adults, six for kids five to twelve, four and under free. Saturday after 1:00 p.m. is ten dollars for adults, again six for kids. And Sunday all-day is twelve dollars for adults, six for kids. So if you listened to the Jacksonville section and thought, “Wait, do I have to learn a whole new ticket system?”—you do not.

Michael Arnold

Parking is the same kind of note too: contact the venue directly regarding parking fees.

Lydia Wolfe

And I’ll repeat the venue-rules reminder here because it matters at every stop. Food and drink restrictions can vary. Personal animal questions can get tricky because venue rules and local laws can come into play. So before you load up the car and make assumptions, just check. It’s such a simple thing, but it keeps the day from going sideways.

Michael Arnold

And just like the other show, guests can ask before touching animals, use hand sanitizer, and go to the Information Booth if there’s a concern that needs attention during the event.

Lydia Wolfe

Yep. Ask first, be respectful, and don’t be shy about gathering info. That is honestly one of my favorite things about these shows. You can have a five-minute conversation that totally changes what animal you thought you wanted—or confirms that, yes, this species is your little soulmate in a deli cup. Which is adorable wording, but you know what I mean.

Michael Arnold

I do. And on that note, this is a good place to mention the newsletter bonus today. If you’re going to Jacksonville or Greenville and you’re thinking about picking up a leopard gecko, there’s a leopard gecko care sheet in today’s newsletter.

Lydia Wolfe

I’m so glad you said that. Because leopard geckos are one of those animals people see at a show and go, “Oh wow, cute, manageable, I’m in.” And sometimes that instinct is right—but you still need the basics before you commit. Heating, setup, feeding, all that good everyday care stuff. So please read the care sheet first if one catches your eye.

Michael Arnold

It’s just a smart way to go in prepared. Even if you don’t buy one this weekend, you’ll know what questions to ask and what kind of setup to think about ahead of time.

Lydia Wolfe

Exactly. Learn first, fall in love second... or maybe fall in love first and then responsibly do your homework. Either way, homework has to happen.

Michael Arnold

That’s probably the most realistic version. So, quick recap: Greenville is March 28 and 29, 2026 at Hejaz Temple, 119 Beverly Road in Greenville, South Carolina. Saturday 9:00 to 4:00, Sunday 10:00 to 4:00, same online-only ticket structure as Jacksonville.

Lydia Wolfe

And across both shows, just be prepared. Check venue rules, know your ticket plan, ask questions, keep vendor info if you make a purchase, and if leopard geckos are on your mind, grab that newsletter care sheet before you go.

Michael Arnold

That’s it for this week’s insider update.

Lydia Wolfe

Thanks for hanging out with us, friends. Michael, always fun.

Michael Arnold

Likewise, Lydia. We’ll catch everybody next time.

Lydia Wolfe

Bye, everyone.