I took my kids to America's Pet Expo for the first time. I could hardly believe how many different types of animals and vendors there were! Many had interactive exhibits, which are the most exciting for kids!
We started at Splash Dogs, where we watched dogs of various sizes leaping into the water to fetch their favorite toy. Next we ventured into Repticon, a large building filled with all kinds of reptiles. We got to pet a monitor lizard, hold a snake, and see lots of creatures, including scorpions, tarantulas, frogs, tortoises, and chameleons.
Our third stop was the aquatic building. Various contests are held inside, including a kids' aquarium decorating contest. The kids who entered had very creative, unique designs! Our favorite part of the aquatic experience was the touch pool! My kids pet horn sharks, sea stars, a sea cucumber, a guitar fish, and a ray!
We took a break for lunch midday. There were almost as many options as there are at a fair, everything from hamburgers to tacos to slush puppies. My kids decided on pizza and shave ice - two of their favorite things!
We spent the most time in the butterfly exhibit. For just $2 per person, we were given Q-tips to use to feed the butterflies nectar. Once they were on our Q-tips, my son found it easy to transfer the butterflies to his hands. Surprisingly, the butterflies stayed, and he eventually had 10 butterflies in his hand and along his arm!
Finally, we looked at the dog and cat adoption centers. We loved petting the puppies and kitties! We were also treated to special breads of cats, including a Maine Coon. I had no idea a domestic cat could be that big!
Although we stayed at the Expo for several hours, we didn't experience everything they had to offer. For a small fee, there was a petting zoo, pony rides, human hamster wheel, and other kid-friendly activities. There were also tons of pet and pet supply vendors.
This event is fun for all animal lovers! A word of caution: if you don't have a pet, or even if you do, you may be tempted to adopt a new one!
