The annual Reptile Festival will slither back into the Virginia Museum of Natural History on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The festival – which aims to educate visitors about the importance of reptiles and dispel misconceptions about these often-misunderstood animals – offers festival goers the opportunity to view a wide variety of live animals, investigate reptile specimens from the museum’s scientific collections, interact with reptile experts, and participate in an array of activities ranging from reptile-themed games and crafts to balloon animals and face painting.
“Reptiles are often polarizing animals that frequently receive an unfair reputation due to many misconceptions and misunderstandings associated with them,” said VMNH Visitor Services and Events Manager Robbie Hendrix-Wirt. “With Reptile Festival, we want to provide visitors with an entertaining adventure while they are here, and have them leave with a much better understanding of these incredible animals.”
Numerous live animals will be on display during the event, ranging from reptiles native to Virginia and the surrounding region, such as the eastern copperhead and eastern rat snake, to non-native and, quite possibly, far less familiar animals, such as the giant knob-headed gecko and Honduran milk snake. Additionally, the museum’s invertebrate research team will be on-hand during the festival to provide a display of live animals, bridging two different areas of zoology that the museum actively researches – reptiles and invertebrates.
“Live animals have always been a highlight of Reptile Festival and we believe we have an exciting lineup that provides visitors with a great sampling of what they may find in their own backyard, as well as animals that they may not even realize exist,” said Hendrix-Wirt.
The festival also will feature some of the region’s most prolific reptile experts, including the museum’s Assistant Curator of Herpetology Dr. Arianna Kuhn, who will be on-hand to help present both live animals and scientific specimens from the VMNH herpetology collection.
“Though the museum’s herpetology program is young, it has already amassed an impressive collection of scientific specimens, as well as live animal ambassadors,” said Hendrix-Wirt. “Reptile Festival will not only provide visitors with the opportunity to view these animals and specimens, but the opportunity to learn about them from the experts who have detailed knowledge of them.”
It’s not just modern-day reptiles that will take the spotlight during the festival. Ancient reptiles will also have their chance to shine at the event, with a science station dedicated to the comparison of reptiles from the Age of Dinosaurs and Ice Age.
“While modern day reptile biodiversity is impressive, reptiles have been around for hundreds of millions of years,” said Hendrix-Wirt. “At this year’s festival, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with our paleontology team and witness fossil evidence of reptiles from times long since passed.”
As with all museum festivals, interactive activities will be a significant part of Reptile Festival.
“Throughout the event, we’re going to offer proven crowd favorite activities, such as face painting and balloon animals, as well as a variety of hands-on, reptile-themed activities hosted by the museum’s education department, researchers, and vendors,” said Hendrix-Wirt. “We’ll even offer the Reptile Festival Photo Booth for folks to capture a memory of their adventure. All of this is included in the price of admission.”
Numerous food options will also be available on site during the event.
“Whether you just want to grab a quick snack or eat lunch at the event, the Reptile Festival Food Truck Alley will be accessible to visitors throughout both days of the event,” said Hendrix-Wirt.
Admission to the festival is $10 per adult ages 18-59 and $5 for children and youth ages 3-17, seniors ages 60+, and college students. Admission is free for children under 3, museum members, and members of museums and science centers that participate in the ASTC Passport program.
The museum also participates in the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for All initiative, offering discounted admission to EBT cardholders. Through this program and additional funding provided by Hooker Furnishings, Carter Bank & Trust, and the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, visitors who present their EBT card and accompanying ID at the museum’s box office will receive free admission to the festival. The free admission offer is available to EBT cardholders from any state and up to 5 of their immediate family members living within the same household.
Parking is free and will take place off-site. Details will be made available on the museum’s website before the festival.
The Reptile Festival is sponsored by the Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, Bassett Furniture Industries, Boxley Materials Company, Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation, and Carter Bank & Trust.
For more information, visit www.vmnh.net/events/reptile-festival.
