BACK BY DEMAND
Saratoga Reptile Expo returns next month
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> The Saratoga Reptile Expo is returning with hundreds of lizards, snakes, frogs, salamanders, turtles, tortoises, tarantulas, isopods and more.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Now in its third year, the expo has previously drawn thousands of attendees, all eager to learn about and purchase exotic pets and related supplies.
For this event, organizers have opened a 5,000-squarefoot annex room to bring in additional vendors and offer more space for easier social distancing. This brings the expo to a total of 28,500 square feet.
In that space, the Saratoga Reptile Expo will offer its largest selection of animals and supplies to date.
More than 130 vendor tables will be set up, including about 60 breeders from all over the East Coast selling captive bred and long-term captive reptiles, amphibians, small exotic mammals, invertebrates (primarily arachnids, mantids, and leaf bugs), and feeders, as well as enclosures and care items for these animals.
An education room will feature hands-on learning
opportunities with zoologists and professional educators. Here, guest speakers will give presentations on various topics throughout the day.
Organizers Frank Townsend and Chris Stokna of Saratoga Expos, LLC, have a vision for the show of promoting the exotic pet trade here in the Capital Region in a way that encourages education and proper husbandry and does not endorse the unethical capture of wild animals to offer them for sale in the pet trade.
To support that goal, they have renewed the expo’s partnership with 1% For The Planet, with plans to donate a portion of the event profits to wildlife conservation focusing on habitat preservation, protecting endangered species and stopping wildlife crime.
Additionally, Townsend and Stokna carefully select vendors that have an excellent reputation for care and responsible breeding for their animals in alignment with their vision.
Eventgoers are encouraged to research pet needs in advance and have discussions with the breeders, educators, and veterinarians at the expo before making an informed purchase decision.
Public health and safety are of the utmost importance for the expo organizers as well. Presale tickets are being sold in hourly blocks to restrict the crowd to 50% of the capacity of the venue.
Limited tickets may be available for sale at the door in accordance with Department of Health guidelines as of the day of the event. However, anyone interested in attending is encouraged to preorder tickets.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages six to 13, and admission for children age five and younger is free.
More information and a complete list of vendors can be found online at www. SaratogaReptileExpo.com.