It was perhaps more than a wee bit ironic that St. Patrick famously "drove" the snakes from Ireland, and on the day celebrating him the reptile community would be gathered in Chicago, where they turn the river green in his honor, to discuss a possible similar fate. Nonetheless there were plenty of reptile and amphibian hobbyists that turned out for Saturdays herp law summit and expo decked in green to celebrate, in a town that apparently has more Irishman than County Cork. There were perhaps more than a few herpers Sunday morning regretting their Irish blood.

While I was unable to stay for Sundays show due to an early flight out (I got to spend time waiting at the airport with Kevin McCurley from NERD so it wasn't all bad), Saturday's foot traffic was heavy all day, with lots of buyers leaving with full shopping bags, which was bound to make the vendors happy. And there were dozens of vendors from across the country including the Discovery Channel's Swamp Brothers, longtime herpers Stephen and Robbie Keszey at their Glade's Herp Booth, taking pictures with kids and selling reptiles at the same time. Also taking a lot of pictures was Slayer's Kerry King at his Psychotic Exotics booth, who took time out from selling T-shirts and carpet pythons to sign autographs and pose with fans, signing a guitar for the USARK/PIJAC benefit auction later on. His first trip to the Chicago Expo, he is already making plans to return for the fall show, if his tour schedule allows. The Boaphile Jeff Ronne also made an appearance, with both cages and boas, providing a refreshing break in what appeared to be a sea of ball pyon color morphs, and crushing rumors he himself had started regarding the death of his famous beard.

Jim Nesci with Cold Blooded Creatures and Bubba his alligator were there too, out in the lobby, giving kids and adults alike an opportunity to get a hands on educational experience with one of natures oldest reptiles. Cold Blooded Creatures was but one of the many educational groups and organizations with booths at this weekends expo, and Saturday was filled with reptile talks by people like the Swamp Brothers, Brian Barczyk and kingsnake.com's own Cindy Steinle.

To check out over 200 pictures from yesterdays events head over to our Reptile Summit Photo Gallery.