News Summary
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo is set for this weekend at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, featuring over 150 vendors showcasing unique collectibles. Attendees can explore items like taxidermy, antiques, and creepy clothing. The expo also offers educational classes focused on taxidermy and insect preservation. Tickets are priced at $12 in advance, and an additional fee grants access to a museum area. This event aims to connect enthusiasts and promote responsible ownership of unusual items.
Grand Rapids Hosts Oddities & Curiosities Expo This Weekend
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo is taking place this weekend at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This notable event, known as the largest international traveling oddities expo, features a variety of unique collectibles aimed at enthusiasts of the unusual.
The expo will be open on Saturday and Sunday, bringing together over 150 vendors, artists, and small businesses to showcase an eclectic range of items. Attendees can expect to see taxidermy, preserved specimens, antiques, creepy clothing, animal skulls and bones, and funeral collectibles, all of which are legal to own and sustainably sourced.
Event Highlights
In addition to the vast selection of curiosities available for purchase, the expo will also offer educational opportunities through three hands-on classes:
- Saturday: A full-day class on taxidermy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will engage in hands-on experience with a skinned, cleaned, and tanned raccoon or rabbit hide.
- Sunday: Two entomology classes focusing on insects will be held. The first class on beetles starts at 10 a.m., and the second class on spiders begins at 1:30 p.m. These classes are suitable for nature enthusiasts and those interested in insect preservation.
Tickets for the expo are priced at $12 for advance purchases and $15 at the door. Admission to the museum area of the expo costs an additional $5 in advance and $7 at the door. The museum section will feature carnival-themed items, an array of taxidermies, and more.
Background Information
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo was founded by Michelle and Tony Cozzaglio with a mission to connect communities through unique events and share a passion for extraordinary items. The expo has gained popularity and is set to continue traveling across the United States through November, creating opportunities for enthusiasts in various locations.
This engaging event attracts a diverse crowd, from collectors and artists to families looking for a unique experience. Attendees often leave with one-of-a-kind finds and a greater appreciation for the peculiar aspects of nature and history.
The expo not only showcases creativity and craftsmanship but also emphasizes responsible sourcing and ownership of the items on display. With its mix of inspiration, education, and shopping, the Oddities & Curiosities Expo promises an intriguing weekend for anyone willing to explore the extraordinary.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WOODTV: Learn the Art of Taxidermy & Entomology at Oddities & Curiosities Expo
- The Malaysian Reserve: Step into the Strange – Oddities & Curiosities Expo
- WZZM: Oddities & Curiosities Expo in Grand Rapids
- MLive: Wild Finds from Michigan’s First Oddities & Curiosities Expo
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Oddities
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
