Halloween Weekend Repticon Comes to Columbia

Lisa Parker

Halloween weekend is coming, and Repticon is landing in Columbia, South Carolina. The dates are Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1st, 2026, at the Jamil Temple, also known as the Jamil Shrine Temple, at 206 Jamil Road in Columbia.

Jay Tacey

I like the timing. Families are already looking for something to do that weekend, and this one puts real animals in front of people. You get reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, educational displays, and habitat supplies under one roof. The people who raised those animals are standing right there to talk to you.

Guy Mc Farlane

That face to face part matters. A lifelong keeper can walk the floor and talk genetics with a breeder. A curious newcomer can ask the basic questions without feeling silly. It works for both.

Lisa Parker

It does. Today we want to spotlight two vendors from the Columbia lineup, and what they bring. The first is Palmetto Girls Snakes, from Bluffton, South Carolina. Jay, this one is right up your alley.

Jay Tacey

It is, because it starts with the people. Palmetto Girls Snakes is a family run operation, and the family is a mother and her two daughters. They specialize in two species, corn snakes and Western hognose snakes. Specialists tend to know their animals very well, and you can usually hear it when they talk.

Michael Arnold

Corn snakes are a classic for a reason, but the morphs are where it gets fun. Their lineup includes Palmetto, Anerythristic, Lavender, and Tessera corn snakes. Those are four very different looks from one species.

Jay Tacey

And the hognose side has its own appeal. They work with Western hognose snakes with traits like Swiss Chocolate and Albino. The Swiss Chocolate name alone makes you want to see it in person.

Guy Mc Farlane

What stands out to me is the philosophy. Every baby snake is treated as a pet first. They handle each one from hatching, so the animal grows up used to people. That's how you get a calm, manageable temperament, which matters a lot for families and first time keepers.

Jay Tacey

There's a second part of that I really respect. They only offer a hatchling for sale once it's well established and reliably feeding on its own. So the animal is ready before the sale, not after it. That's animal welfare and guest confidence working together.

Michael Arnold

And buyers seem to notice. On MorphMarket, they hold a perfect 5.0 rating across 45 reviews.

Lisa Parker

So if you've ever wanted a snake that's beautiful and also easygoing, there's a family from Bluffton who can talk you through it. Now let's head to the geckos.

Guy Mc Farlane

The second vendor is Gecko Overload, a high end, family operated breeder from Aiken, South Carolina. They specialize in captive bred New Caledonian geckos, mainly crested geckos and gargoyle geckos.

Lisa Parker

Crested geckos are everywhere at reptile shows, and people light up when they see them. Why do you think they've become so popular, Guy?

Guy Mc Farlane

A big part of it is how expressive they are. They have those little crests above the eyes and a very characterful face. Gargoyle geckos are the sturdy, stocky cousins with their own bumpy, rugged look. Two species from the same part of the world, but quite different animals.

Jay Tacey

What I find smart about Gecko Overload is that the animal is only part of the offering. According to their profile, they pair their geckos with comprehensive care guides. They're helping a new keeper succeed, not just completing a transaction. That's how you get repeat visitors and people who stay in the hobby.

Michael Arnold

Then there's the second business, and it's my favorite detail. They run a shop called PrintedPlaythingsUS, which sells 3D printed creations. The profile lists reptile toys, geometric habitat accessories, gecko themed decor, feeding ledges, and fun reptile figures.

Jay Tacey

Feeding ledges are a good example of function and creativity together. It's a practical piece of enclosure equipment, but it's designed with some imagination. Add geometric accessories and playful figures and you've got a habitat that looks good and gives the animal something to interact with.

Guy Mc Farlane

And it connects to bioactive setups, which a lot of keepers are exploring now. The profile describes the accessories as a way to enrich terrariums. If you bring a gecko home, you can leave with the gear that makes its space interesting.

Lisa Parker

There's also real experience behind the booth. Their profile says they grew from modest beginnings to running more than 80 shows a year, serving hobbyists from Texas to Maryland. They know how to talk to people at a show.

Jay Tacey

So between the two, you have a snake family that raises calm, well started babies, and a gecko family that sends you home with the animal and the habitat ideas. Different animals, same attitude: take care of the animal first.

Lisa Parker

And that's just two stops. The Columbia floor is full of breeders and vendors, and plenty of them will have something you didn't know you wanted.

Jay Tacey

Whether you're a seasoned keeper or just curious, it's a good way to spend Halloween weekend. Repticon Columbia, October 31st and November 1st, 2026, at the Jamil Temple on Jamil Road. Come meet the animals and the people behind them.