Does anyone go to the Chicagoland Reptile expo (formerly Lee Watson Reptile Swap)

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Mystus Redtail

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jun 8, 2007
2,154
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Fishing in Wisconsin
Like the title says, I'm wondering if anyone goes there, and how it's doing these days. It is a 4-5 hour drive for me and it starts at 10am so I want it to be worth it if I'm going.

I heard about it from a guy I work with, but he hasn't been there since Lee Watson still ran it, according to him about 2 years ago.

I haven't gotten too into reptiles yet... but I'm getting pretty close and I'm wanting to check out some shows. Then maybe I'll take the plunge.

Here's what I'm talking about:

http://www.reptileswap.com/

I appreciate you responses.
 
hey man, hows it going. i havent been to the one since they moved but the original one in shaumburg always had a ton of stuff. reptile food and goods. insects and spiders. wasnt a bad show. there is a smaller show in grays lake. went to that last week. was ok but small. maybe 20 tables. i guess that show is still growing. there is also sewerfest. that show is in wi down by racine. usually a summer show and a fall show if i remember. that one is also pretty good. i think on the 26th of this month there is a show in monona, wi. thats closer to you right? im thinking of hitting that. never been there though. actually im gonna be hitting the grays lake one too on the 12th. my buddy bought a toad that isnt doing well. the guy says he will give him credit. should be ok if you just want to shoot over to milwaukee and ride down with us. its an hr drive from milwaukee. here are some links

monona show: http://www.crestedgecko.com/wi_breeders_show.htm
lake county/ grayslake: http://www.lakecountyreptileshow.com/
sewerfest show: http://www.sewerfest.com/

almost to forgot to add the mother of all shows for our area lol
tinley park, IL in oct http://www.narbc.com/
you wont find a bigger show in the midwest. i go every yr with a group, so again if you want to shoot over to milwaukee you can carpool for that one too.
 
haha, i forget my dates :P the grayslake one on the 12th i already did lol on the 10th of may (i think thats the date) is when we are for sure going
 
Sweet, yeah, I heard about Tinley Park, that's one we will definitely be going to, I just didn't want to wait 6 months to go to my first reptile show. I'm going to that one with a couple of co-workers. My one friend has been going to that one for years and keeps telling me how awesome it is. I can't wait.
 
I use to go to it when I lived in Chicago. Decent show, a lot of animals, be careful what you buy. A lot of sick animals. Thhough this was several years ago, they may be better.
 
i agree with mick, besides tinley and sewerfest (not sure about monona) i think the other shows have cb, ch, and wc stuff there. so definately be careful. i guess i should retract my statement about tinley. i think there are a couple of companies like LLL reptile that have ch and wc stuff. so definately look over any animal you are thinking of buying. my buddy got a toad at the grayslake show that had a couple small sores on it that we figured were from rubbing on the plastic. none the less we did mention it to the dealer and he said if it blows into something more and the toad doesnt make it then he will refund my friend or give him credit. the next day the toad looked totally different (messed up). still alive, barely though. he wouldnt have gotten it, but it was something we hadnt seen before and i think just recently been for sale around here so he decided to try........
 
Yeah, I talked to my co-worker again today, and he didn't have much to say about monona, but he did say that sewerfest is pretty good.
 
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