Oddity Expo attracts thousands to Colorado Springs
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Saturday and Sunday, there was a gathering of all things creepy, crawly, and creative at this spring’s “Oddity and Bizarre Expo” at the Colorado Springs Event Center.
If you are looking to kick-start the spooky season, you might have missed your chance. Some people traveled across the country for the event that is right here in Colorado Springs.
Artists, performers, cosplayers, and collectors of the strange and bizarre, gathered together over the weekend to celebrate the spooky season and the delights of being different.
“It’s like eclectic meets metaphysical, but also your average person weirdo art,” says Madeline Fabris the Owner of Mattie and the Kitties art.
The Oddity Fear Fest offers everything to intrigue and excite the eccentric including strange and unusual art, steampunk, odd decor, morbid taxidermy, creepy dolls, paranormal activity, and a haunted house.
“I think my favorite thing so far, I’m going to have to say is some of the taxidermy things that I’ve seen, especially the butterflies and insects and some of the creepy crawlies,” says Star Sprengle an enthusiast of the event.
The event hosted more than 185 vendors, attracting more than 7,000 people this weekend.
Tiphani Ruark the Show Manager of the Oddity Expo says that the goal is not only to offer a safe space for self-expression but to give local creatives the opportunity to showcase their work.
“This allows them to sell and do their hobby and make money off their hobby, and then hopefully the goal is, you know, quit a full-time corporate job and do their artwork full-time,” she said.
Fabris said that she is grateful for the opportunity to showcase her work. She began as a graffiti artist in Chicago and recently quit her full-time job as a waitress to focus on her artwork.
“I don’t make quite as much as I did working a full-time job, but I would much rather be kind of broke and working for myself than serving tables or making coffee and stuff like that, this is much more fulfilling,” she added.
Jennifer Fisher the owner of Mystery of 13 Souls Production, says that this is her third year hosting the haunted house, and she loves sharing the experience with her daughter.
“I just love the interaction with the community and the vibe that we set off and to see people’s faces and the entertainment that we provide to the community is just great,” said Fisher.
She said that she spent over four hours getting in costume and plans to bring both her show and creativity to every show in the future.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
