Repticon Asheville: Family Fun, Vendors & Live Learning
Get the details on Repticon Asheville, happening June 27–28, 2026 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC, including show hours, ticket timing, and what families can expect.
The hosts also spotlight standout vendors, from bioactive dart frog education and ADV-tested bearded dragons to handmade reptile-themed art and oddities.
Chapter 1
Asheville Bound!
Lisa Parker
So- so I was literally just packing my bag, and I've got my trustiest metal kazoo sitting right on top of my paperwork. You guys know I don't go to any show without it. It's the, uh, the ultimate Repticon morale booster.
Michael Arnold
Oh, please tell me you're not going to be blasting that thing at nine in the morning in the WNC Agricultural Center. My head is already spinning thinking about the shipping logistics we've got to run for Asheville.
Guy Mc Farlane
Hey, a little bit of harmony keeps the vendors happy, Michael. But, um, let's actually, you know, ground this. Welcome to the Repticon podcast, everyone. I'm Guy Mc Farlane, and we are talking about Repticon Asheville. It is officially happening June 27th and 28th, 2026. Jay, you've been looking at the venue setup, right? The Expo Building?
Jay Tacey
Yeah, Guy, the Expo Building at 775 New Airport Road, right there in Fletcher, North Carolina. It's a fantastic footprint. From an operations standpoint, when you have thousands of enthusiasts coming through those doors, you need a space that flows correctly. We want the guest's faces to light up the second they walk in, but they also have to be able to navigate the space safely. It's about combining that creative energy Lisa brings with total operational functionality.
Lisa Parker
And the hours are super clean for families this year. Saturday, June 27th, we are open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. And then Sunday, the 28th, is 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is a full weekend.
Michael Arnold
Asheville always draws a massive crowd. I mean, from the Premium Crickets side of things, we are already pre-sorting orders because people love getting their feeders and their animals directly from the source. You get unmatched prices, sure, but it's the direct advice from breeders that makes this a real community hub.
Guy Mc Farlane
Exactly. It's that educational component. It's not just a marketplace; it's a- it's an experience. We have live animal encounters and educational seminars on the hour, every single day. If you want to see the world through the eyes of these animals, this is where you start. It really is a truly family-oriented event where kids can get hands-on and learn that these aren't scary creatures—they're fascinating parts of our natural world.
Chapter 2
Vendor Spotlight - Frogs, Geckos, and Oddities
Jay Tacey
It's about creating spaces where animals can thrive, and one vendor that absolutely nails this is FrogDaddy, out of Bessemer City. They are doing incredible work with dart frogs. But what I love about them is their educational focus. They created the DendroBase guide, which is basically a masterclass in bioactive setups. They aren't just selling you a frog; they're teaching you how to design an entire functioning ecosystem.
Guy Mc Farlane
Oh, the DendroBase is incredible, Jay. They really understand that animal welfare starts with the habitat. And- and speaking of high standards, have you guys looked at Gecko Girls Exotics? Joy Williamson is leading the charge there in Fletcher. They actually collaborate with the University of Florida to do ADV health testing on their bearded dragons. That is a massive deal for buyer confidence.
Michael Arnold
It really is, Guy. Adenovirus is no joke in bearded dragons. Knowing you're buying from a breeder who actively tests and partners with a major veterinary university... I mean, that's the gold standard. It makes my job on the shipping and logistics side so much easier when vendors have that level of professional discipline.
Lisa Parker
It's so true. And then, on the completely creative end of the spectrum, we have the Reptile Shop of Horrors coming down from Pilot Mountain. I love their vibe so much. They do these hand-crafted resin pieces, oddities, and amazing reptile-themed art. Though, their policy is pretty funny—they explicitly state that while reptiles can be returned under specific health terms, handcrafted art cannot. Once you buy a custom resin skull, it's yours!
Jay Tacey
Which makes sense! You can't put a health guarantee on a piece of resin art. But that mix is what makes Repticon special. You go from scientific testing with Gecko Girls to beautiful, creative bioactive design with FrogDaddy, and then you grab some custom art. It's the entire culture of herpetology in one room.
Guy Mc Farlane
It really is. Well, Asheville is going to be spectacular. June 27th and 28th at the WNC Agricultural Center.
Lisa Parker
And I'll be there with my kazoo ready. See you guys in Fletcher!