Rocky Mountain Reptile expo

[RAD House]

Initially I was going to be out of town, but due to my self imposed pariah state my time has freed up. Anyways I was wondering if any of you fine folks had been to the Rocky Mountain Reptile expo before, and if it is worth checking out? I am mostly going to look as the fiancé would not be pleased with another addition, but who can tell what I am going to get up to. She did agree to marry me so she only has her self to blame. :dgrin:

[millertime89]

It's a waste of time and person who put it on is under investigation for animal cruelty. It's slowly dying because the organizer constantly kicks out people that disagree with her and has banned people in the past for vending at other expos in the state. The vendor list has gone from 80+ the first time I went to 30ish. It's in a smaller venue than it used to be and she can't even fill that. If you look at the website you can see just how little of the available space is being used.
Rocky Mountain Reptile Expo Vendors (http://www.rockymountainreptileexpo.com/VENDORS.HTM)

I refuse to support this women in any way.
Adams County rodent farm, Thornton pet store accused of animal cruelty - The Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27119164/adams-county-rodent-farm-thornton-pet-store-accused)

Plus we're supposed to get a foot of snow in the next 48 hours.

In short, don't waste your time or your money unless you need something from a vendor that will be there. Selection is generally very limited.

[RAD House]

Well that sucks. I was really hoping it would be good as it would be my first expo, but oh well. Thanks for the information. Also on a side note this is Colorado and if we actually get a foot of snow, which is unlikely as our weather people know about as much about the weather as I do about the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow, that would in no way stop me from getting across town. Come on man!

[millertime89]

African or European swallow? It makes a difference here...

Go to repticon in a month. Way better and most of the vendors are the same (except for a few that will only vend for one or the other).

[RAD House]

Well played sir and dually noted.

[millertime89]

Don't let my opinions stop you from going, but I personally believe it is by and large a waste of time and money. It's really gone downhill in the last 2.5ish years since it moved from the Mart. (Who by the way is putting in a drive-in movie theater in case you didn't hear.)

[RAD House]

I might just go as I really don't have anything to compare it to, and therefore can not be disappointed. Also if what you say is true it will make repticon seem that much more awesome in a month. Plus if I don't go now I will always wonder about and then go after experiencing better shows and be incredibly disappointed. That's funny I was just recently taking to one of my much older friends about the drive in experience and was upset I never experienced it. Might just be the perfect snowy day activity. I do appreciate the info though.

[millertime89]

If you've never been I would say it's worth going to. Repticon isn't much better than RMRE but it's still better (usually, they can be hit and miss sometimes. It largely depends on the vendors that decide to go).

I'm looking forward to the drive in. I've never been either. IIRC it will be up before summer and it will have an 80 x 40 HD screen.

[pet_snake_78]

I would say the sooner it gets shut down the better, I wouldn't support it. Having someone who's accused on animal cruelty run a reptile show makes every reptile show seem like a shady operation to the general public.

[RAD House]

I think we need to realize that this point these are only allegations. I have no relationship with either side, but one of the best part of our legal system is innocent until proven guilty. Also looking at some of the claims like beating rats to kill them. Reading many sources I have come to realize this is used quite often in the feeder trade. Secondly we have to realize that the tip off came from PETA. I am an animal lover, but PETA takes things way to far sometimes. I think they would only be happy if you did not feed your snake any living prey and probably not even own an animal all. You need to be really careful with taking them entirely seriously.

[millertime89]

She cut a plea bargain to get the charges reduced. Doesn't sound like allegations to me at that point. There's tons of photo and video evidence as well as reports from large numbers of people that have been to her place. It's pretty widely known at this point.