Oddity & Bizarre Expo highlights the macabre

Quirky convention comes to Colorado Springs April 25 and 26

By William J. Dagendesh

A traveling fright fest known for its bizarre depiction of death and the macabre promises a frightfully fun time for ghoulish enthusiasts. 

The 7th annual Oddity & Bizarre Expo is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at the Colorado Springs Events Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. The expo showcases the strange and unusual, highlighting ghoulish art, preserved specimens, skulls and other bizarre curiosities.

The event is a playground for the warped and weird, attracting thousands of visitors who enjoy the atmosphere and opportunity to connect with others who delight in the unusual. The event serves as a community hub for like-minded individuals to celebrate with vendors selling antiques, dark-themed art, taxidermy and specimens.

“Our shows create a unique connection among a niche community for people to connect over a shared love for the weird and unconventional,” said marketing director Renee King.

The expo also includes aerial performances, sideshow acts, tarot readings and educational, hands-on classes such as insect pinning. Needless to say, the event is not for the faint of heart. 

That’s because the macabre explores disturbing, horrifying or gruesome things such as death, decay and injury with a dark or ghastly atmosphere. The expo offers all this through elements that involve death or violence in a strange, frightening or unpleasant way. Not to worry, though, the event is safe for everyone.

However, the expo's diverse collection ranges from anatomical curiosities, medical history and taxidermy to antiques, home décor, jewelry and natural wonders. The event is guaranteed to intrigue and excite oddity enthusiasts, from morbid taxidermy to bizarre art and more. 

There is a lot to see, so prepare to spend several hours exploring handmade items like jewelry and taxidermy, and vendors selling items ranging from affordable trinkets to hundreds, even thousands of dollars for large pieces. 

Be sure to bring plenty of loose change for purchases and to ensure a smoother experience. 

“Our vendors offer one-of-a-kind, handmade items that cannot be found in standard retail stores,” King said. 

Boys and ghouls of all ages are welcome, although parents are encouraged to exercise discretion due to the nature of some items. While the show floor is for everyone, taxidermy and other workshops might have age restrictions or require adult supervision for minors. Photography is encouraged and allowed.

The event can get crowded, so attending early or on the second day is recommended. In a 10Times post, Colorado Springs resident Lesley Palmblad wrote, “The vendors were awesome and the merchandise was very cool! I was glad to see some of the same vendors there.” In a Facebook review, Allison Cooper added, “I went last year and it was so much fun.”

Cost of admission is $10-$20, and children age 12 and under are admitted free. To learn more, call show manager Tiphani Dunlap at 719-301-6255 or visit OddityandBizarreExpo.com. Also, a subsequent event, the Oddity & Fear Fest, slated for Sept. 19-20, will offer curated items for macabre enthusiasts, ensuring new and exceptional discoveries.