Promoting Repticon Dallas Podcast Episode
Get the details on Repticon’s big weekend in Grapevine, including show hours, ticket info, live animal encounters, and educational seminars for families and reptile fans alike.
We also spotlight standout vendors bringing ball python morphs, bioactive invertebrates, and captive-bred axolotls to the Dallas-area event.
Chapter 1
Live from Grapevine – The Repticon Dallas Experience
Lisa Parker
So I was literally just double checking the floor plan layout for the Grapevine Convention Center, and oh my gosh, the vendor space is packed. Like, completely packed for this weekend. June 27th and 28th, 2026. We are finally back in Dallas- well, Grapevine, technically.
Michael Arnold
Oh, the Grapevine show is always a massive one. 1209 South Main Street, right? I love that venue. It has that great local vibe but still fits thousands of enthusiasts. It's perfect for families.
Guy Mc Farlane
It really is, Michael. From an operational standpoint, that Grapevine setup is brilliant because it- it lets us split the hours beautifully. Saturday, June 27th, we are open early from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and then Sunday we do 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It gives everyone plenty of time to explore the entire floor without feeling rushed.
Jay Tacey
Exactly, and as someone who looks at these spaces through the eyes of the animals, that structured schedule is so important. It gives the animals a quiet evening to rest, destress, and- and acclimatize before the Sunday crowd hits. It's that balance of guest experience and absolute welfare, you know?
Michael Arnold
Mm, totally. And let's be honest, the energy when those doors open at 9:00 AM on Saturday... there's nothing like it. The- the kids have their eyes wide, the breeders are ready, and the tables are literally glowing with color.
Guy Mc Farlane
We have people traveling from all over Texas for this. It's not just a marketplace; it's a massive educational hub. We have live animal encounters and seminars on the hour, every single day. It's about teaching the next generation of keepers how to do this right.
Chapter 2
Morph Magic, Creepy-Crawlies, and Axolotls
Michael Arnold
Speaking of doing it right, have you guys seen what Michael Castillo is bringing from Urban Albino? He's based right out of Fort Worth, and his ball python morphs are just... next level. We're talking tri-stripe, pied, paisley albino... I mean, the genetics are flawless. A perfect 5.0 seller rating on MorphMarket doesn't just happen by accident.
Jay Tacey
flawless genetics are everything. When you look at those patterns- the high-contrast albinos, the clean lines of a tri-stripe- it shows years of dedicated, selective breeding and meticulous husbandry. That's operant health at its finest because healthy genetics mean a thriving animal in the home.
Guy Mc Farlane
And it's not just snakes. If you want to talk about variety, Chromatic Creations is going to be there too. Adam Lincourt and his wife are bringing their own incredible ball pythons. Plus, they're USARK Silver-level supporters, which is huge for our industry's conservation and advocacy efforts.
Lisa Parker
Yes! Love supporting USARK. But wait, if snakes aren't your main thing, what about the creepy-crawlies? Buddha Bugs is coming down from the DFW area, and they are bringing... ugh, well, amazing things if you like them! Tarantulas, spiders, and bioactive isopods. I try to keep my distance, but the kids absolutely lose their minds over those little isopods!
Michael Arnold
Hey now, isopods are the unsung heroes of the bioactive terrarium! They are the cleanup crew. And Buddha Bugs has some of the coolest species. It's a whole ecosystem in a little plastic tub. But- but wait, Lisa, we also have something totally different this year. Ephemera Exotics is coming from Longview, and they specialize in axolotls.
Jay Tacey
Oh, captive-bred axolotls? That's fantastic. What morphs are they bringing?
Michael Arnold
They're bringing leucistics, albinos, melanoids, and even GFP- the green fluorescent protein ones that literally glow under blue light. It's wild.
Guy Mc Farlane
That is incredibly cool. Axolotls have such strict temperature and water quality needs, so having a trusted local breeder like Ephemera Exotics- who focuses entirely on captive-bred specimens and safe shipping policies- is vital for anyone looking to get into keeping them.
Jay Tacey
It really is. When guests can talk directly to the breeders, get that expert advice face-to-face, that's how we build successful, lifelong keepers. That's the magic of Repticon.
Lisa Parker
Well, I think that's our cue to get back to prep. Grapevine Convention Center, June 27th and 28th. See you all there!