Is the Lake County Reptile Show in Illinois any good? I've been to the website, looked at the photos, looks like a small show, but some decent vendors listed. Anyone been? Would it be worth a 4 hour drive?

Unfortunately Wisconsin is severely lacking in Reptile Expos, so I've been thinking about venturing south to Illinois to hit up a show or two in 2009.

Worth the drive, or no?

I'll need some frozen feeders, and who knows what else! Mainly going just to get to a show, and see whats out there. :lol:

Hard to say. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isnt. I have only been 2 times and had conflicting opinions on both. The first show I vended and sold out. Great vendors, nice selection, great people. 2nd time I was a patron and it sucked big time. Very few vendors, very few animals, and was done looking around in 10 minutes.... Was not worth my 2 hour drive for sure...

Unless it is a big show, I have found they are always hit or miss

Thanks Ron. I'm just glad to hear there are decent vendors. Well if it falls into place we'll probably go, give us an excuse to get out of town for the day.

Thanks Ron. I'm just glad to hear there are decent vendors. Well if it falls into place we'll probably go, give us an excuse to get out of town for the day.

When is it Jason?

When is it Jason?

It's January 11th
http://lakecountyreptileshow.com/

otherwise they hold it the second Sunday of every month.

I have been meaning to try the Lake County show, but I have been to the DuPage County All Animal Expo (http://www.allanimalexpo.com/), which runs every two weeks and is usually pretty busy with lots of vendors and animals. It's the show that first gave me the Ball Python 'bug'! It's by no means as big as an NARBC show, but I usually go every few months to check it out. Have you looked into this show yet?

If you go to the Lake County show on the 11th let me know how it is. I was going to go to the last show to buy rats, but bought them online instead. But I'm curious how it compares to the DuPage show, especially since they're at a new location now.

I have been meaning to try the Lake County show, but I have been to the DuPage County All Animal Expo (http://www.allanimalexpo.com/), which runs every two weeks and is usually pretty busy with lots of vendors and animals. It's the show that first gave me the Ball Python 'bug'! It's by no means as big as an NARBC show, but I usually go every few months to check it out. Have you looked into this show yet?

If you go to the Lake County show on the 11th let me know how it is. I was going to go to the last show to buy rats, but bought them online instead. But I'm curious how it compares to the DuPage show, especially since they're at a new location now.

That was the other show I was thinking about...looked like it had a few more vendors, and a bit more traffic. Right now it's a coin toss which we'll go to... the All Animal Expo is an hour longer drive.

Decisions decisions!

I hope someone takes a camera and remembers to use it and post pics... :yessir:

Perhaps... I'll try to be less of a SOB, and maybe I'll remember to post some pictures. ;)

Okay which one of the shows is the old Lee Watson show?

Is the Lake County Reptile Show in Illinois any good? I've been to the website, looked at the photos, looks like a small show, but some decent vendors listed. Anyone been? Would it be worth a 4 hour drive?

Unfortunately Wisconsin is severely lacking in Reptile Expos, so I've been thinking about venturing south to Illinois to hit up a show or two in 2009.

Worth the drive, or no?

I'll need some frozen feeders, and who knows what else! Mainly going just to get to a show, and see whats out there. :lol:

Let me know if it's worth it. It looks like a 6 hour drive for me, which would actually make it about the second closest show for me to attend right behind the 4 hour drive to the annual Des Moines show. Sad but true.... There are NO shows in MN... If it's going to be every month it might be nice to find out which months would be the best ones to attend since I'm sure they won't all be the best.

Will do Mark.

Jeff, the All Animal Expo in DuPage is the old Lee Watson show. According to the website it is now run by someone else, however Lee still helps with PR, and his wife is VP of the show.

http://allanimalexpo.com/

Jason is correct, it is the Dupage county show. I was a vendor at this show last year but havent been there in a while. They do have a bigger venue but they also have a lot of crap I dont care for like birds and farm animals. There are a few vendors there I dont really care much for either.... lots of wild caught sick looking animals....

I have vended at both shows. The Dupage County Show is twice the size of the Lake County show. But sense Lee Watson's show was forced to move ( rezoned) to a county fairgrounds it now has to allow other animals. Chickens, rabbits and other smelly critters.
If it were me I would go to Lee's Dupage All Animal expo.

I have vended at both shows. The Dupage County Show is twice the size of the Lake County show. But sense Lee Watson's show was forced to move ( rezoned) to a county fairgrounds it now has to allow other animals. Chickens, rabbits and other smelly critters.
If it were me I would go to Lee's Dupage All Animal expo.

Wasnt it at the Lake County Show when that ball python pooped in your hand when you were showing it to a potential buyer???? :wamma: :lol:

Thanks for the information guys, knew someone would come through, gotta mull it over and see how the money falls.

Wasnt it at the Lake County Show when that ball python pooped in your hand when you were showing it to a potential buyer????
__________________Ha Ha! I was wondering how long before you told that story. lol I have very healthy animals. That was pretty funny. I think we laughed all the way home.

Remember mine are trained not to go in there displays or the car .LOL

Will do Mark.

Jeff, the All Animal Expo in DuPage is the old Lee Watson show. According to the website it is now run by someone else, however Lee still helps with PR, and his wife is VP of the show.

http://allanimalexpo.com/

I haven't been to it since it was his old show, I see Lee all the time at the little Valpo show when I go....have to mark that down for a spring show to visit and see the new digs...

Perhaps... I'll try to be less of a SOB, and maybe I'll remember to post some pictures. ;)

Sounds like a deal! :cheers:

But sense Lee Watson's show was forced to move ( rezoned) to a county fairgrounds it now has to allow other animals. Chickens, rabbits and other smelly critters.

True, they do allow for farm-type animals (ducks, chickens, bunnies, etc.) but that's really a small part IMHO. For the most part it's still a reptile show. I bought 3 balls and one Leopard tortoise there so far and I've been happy with them all.

There's also a vendor that sells F/T rats & mice at decent prices, but once I've bought from a few of the major online F/T vendors, there's a noticeable difference in quality...and smell/cleanliness. I now prefer to buy online because the F/T looks clean and healthy!
(I hope this statement didn't offend someone that knows that vendor)

That was the other show I was thinking about...looked like it had a few more vendors, and a bit more traffic. Right now it's a coin toss which we'll go to... the All Animal Expo is an hour longer drive.

Worth the extra drive in my opinion...at least while gas is still cheap. ;)

The winter months seem slower with less vendors than the summer/fall, but that's when there be more baby snakes to be had! If you do go, let us know what you think.

Have a Happy New Year! :cheers: