Texas Carnivorous Plant Show, Sale & Swap - 06/10/2023

(Schedule of Events below)

Flesh-eating Plants Invade Spring, TX

Thousands of rare and creepy carnivorous plants from around the world descend on local establishment during a free Carnivorous Plant Show!

Most people have seen the iconic carnivorous Venus Flytrap. But did you know there are over 850 other carnivorous plant species in the world? Many of these rare and creepycarnivorous plants from all over the world will be on exhibit at the first Carnivorous Plant Show, Sale and Swap Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Track Shack in Spring, TX. With a variety of educational presentations and displays, there’s sure to be plenty of entertainment to be had, and a wealth of information from a wide variety of knowledgeable ‘carnies’.

If learning about these wonderful and easy-to-grow plants entices you into having some carnivorous plants of your own at home, there will be a good selection of carnivorous plants and related merchandise available, and experts to share their secrets of growing and enjoying these spellbinding plants! Along with the exhibition, sales, swap and educational speakers, growers and all interested individuals from all over the state will be invited to come together to organize and form a club for the enjoyment of all.

Over a dozen genera of carnivorous plants exist and this is a rare opportunity for all to view plants from deep in tropical jungles, wild marshes, and tops of tepuis of Venezuelan mountains. Event attendees will have the opportunity to view these unusual plants up close, and it promises to be a delightful spectacle for photographers and admirers alike. The beauty of these spectacular plants certainly hides their deadly nature!

Staged at Track Shack Ice House’s open-air pavilion, attendees will also have the opportunity to partake of local food in this secret gem of Spring, TX. Admission and parking is free for all, but no outside food or drink is allowed. It will be an experience not to be missed!

Event details:

Who: Carnivorous Plant Growers of Texas

What: Carnivorous Plant Show, Sale & Swap

When: Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Track Shack - 25811 W. Hardy Rd., Spring, TX 77373

Vendor/Educational Display/Swap Info: [email protected]

Event/Club Info: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions and

Vendor/Exhibitor Information:

-       When and where is the event?

This event is being held Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Track Shack Ice House, located at 25811 W. Hardy Rd. in Spring, at the corner of West Hardy Rd. and Louetta Rd. From I-45, take the Louetta Road exit and head east on Louetta Rd. Go one mile and take the (unmarked) exit ramp for West Hardy Road. Turn left on West Hardy, and Track Shack will be the first building on the left.

-       An Ice House?

Yes, this is a well-known hangout for respectable locals, and they have some of the best boiled crawfish in the area! However, they have a completely separate 5,000 square foot open-air pavilion behind their main building which we are using for the event. It is used for all kinds of events, and surprisingly enough, this is not the first plant show to be held here!

-       Is this open to the public?

Definitely YES! There will be educational displays of carnivorous plants from around the globe, scheduled educational programs throughout the day, and plenty of knowledgeable folks to answer any questions you might have. From novices to seasoned carnivorous plant enthusiasts, this promises to be a fun (and educational) opportunity for people of all ages and interest/experience levels!

-       How much does it cost?

Absolutely nothing to attend, and parking is FREE! However, our venue (Track Shack) has requested that no outside food/drinks be brought in, so they can count on attendees supporting our use of the pavilion through food and beverage purchases. Also, we cannot guarantee that all vendors accept non-cash payment methods, so it might be a good idea to bring some cash in case you find something you want to take home!

-       Can I buy plants at the show?

Absolutely! There will be a variety of vendors with all kinds of carnivorous plants and other plant oddities available for you to purchase. And just as importantly, the vendors will be happy to answer your questions to help you be successful with these wonderful, easy-to-grow plants.

-       I have some carnivorous plants that I would like to sell. Can I be a vendor?

Of course; the more the merrier! There is a minimal $20 fee to reserve a 10 by 10 space under the covered pavilion. This is for the space only; you are responsible for bringing your own setup (tables, chairs, etc.). However, the $20 space fee is a very small price to pay if you want to get paid for your plants, and all of this money will be going to Track Shack/TxCPE for use of their pavilion and/or establising a Texas CP organization! Please complete the Vendor Application at this link, and you can pay your vendor fee at the bottom of this page, or click here to go directly to the Vendor fee 'product'. Contact Mike Howlett at [email protected] if you have any questions that are not answered here.

-       I have some carnivorous plants that I would like to swap with others or give away to the public. Can I do this?

The answer is yes; and we will waive the booth fee, PROVIDED you do not exchange plants or other items for money. You will be responsible for supplying your own tables/chairs/etc. This is on the honor system…we expect that if you tell us you are only swapping/giving away plants/items, there is no money involved. The $20 space fee is a very small price to pay if you want to get paid for your plants, and all of this money will be going to Track Shack/TxCPE for use of their pavilion and/or establishing a Texas CP organization! Please complete the Vendor Application at this link. Contact Mike Howlett at [email protected] if you have any questions that are not answered here.

-       I want to bring my carnivorous plants (CP) to display, and/or set up an CP-related educational display. Can I do this?

Same answer: YES PLEASE! The more plants we have for display, the more interesting (and educational) this will be for everyone! We will waive the booth fee for displays as well, PROVIDED you do not exchange plants for money. You will be responsible for supplying your own tables/chairs/etc. This is on the honor system…we expect that if you tell us you are only displaying plants, there is no money involved. Please complete the Vendor Application at this link. Contact Mike Howlett at [email protected] if you have any questions that are not answered here.

-       I have some non- carnivorous plants that I would like to sell. Can I be a vendor?

Yes and no. Since this is a CARNIVOROUS PLANT show and not just a PLANT show, anyone who sets up at the show can have a MAXIMUM of 30% non-carnivorous plants (70% of your plants must be carnivores). There is a minimal $20 fee to reserve a 10 by 10 space under the covered pavilion. This is for the space only; you are responsible for bringing your own setup (tables, chairs, etc.). However, the $20 space fee is a very small price to pay if you want to get paid for your plants, and all of this money will be going to Track Shack/TxCPE for use of their pavilion and /or establising a Texas CP organization! Please complete the Vendor Application at this link. Contact Mike Howlett at [email protected] if you have any questions that are not answered here.

 -       I would like to be more involved in the event, but I don’t want to bring plants. How can I help?

We would love to have your help as a volunteer for the event. We will need some help in advance for all the things that will need to be done; and we will definitely need as much help as possible the day of the event. Please contact Maggie Chen at [email protected] to sign up to be a volunteer!

-       Will there be a rain date if the weather is bad?

No. This is being held under a 5,000 square foot covered pavilion with a concrete floor, so unless we have some pretty extreme weather, we will hold the event rain or shine.

-       I can’t make it that day. Will there be more of these here in Houston?

At present, this is the only event that is planned. After all, a lot of the success of the event depends on how much interest it draws. Also, one of the main points to this event is to bring as many like-minded individuals from all over the state together to discuss the potential formation of some kind of state Carnivorous Plant club/society. We want as much input as possible, and this will help guide us to make decisions about future events, both here in the Houston area AND in other Texas major metro areas!

-       I live pretty far away. Will there be similar events near me?

There is no plan to create a Texas Carnivorous Plant Show, Sale & Swap show series. Let’s see how well this first one goes, and we’ll go from there. The best thing to do is come to THIS event, so we know there is enough interest to warrant MORE events!