The Chicago Herpetological Society'sReptileFestreturns to Chicago after taking a break last year. And it's being held at a new location: Northeastern Illinois University.

Billed as the nation's largest educational show featuring reptiles and amphibians, the event includes a chance to come face to face with all types of slithering, scaly creatures, such as snakes, lizards and crocodiles. Creatures that are "frequently misunderstood," according to the Chicago Herpetological Society, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

(Courtesy of ReptileFest)

The group's mission is to educate, first and foremost – this is not a sale or circus. They also aim to promote wildlife conservation and knowledge among amateur and professional herpetologists.

“We want everybody to know about reptiles and amphibians and appreciate them as something that shares our planet with us,” Sullivan said. “They can be appreciated both as pets and as things that live in the wild, in our backyards and live alongside us in the city.”

ReptileFest takes place at the Physical Education Complex of NEIU, 3600 W. Foster Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10; $7 for kids ages 3-11.

On tonight's show: Longtime ReptileFest exhibitors and supportersSteve Sullivan of thePeggy Notebaert Nature Museumand "Frog Lady"Deb Krohntalk about the event's educational mission and to give viewers a look at some of the reptiles and amphibians they can expect to see this weekend.

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