Newbury Tattoo Convention at Newbury Racecourse this weekend
A celebration of body art coming to Newbury this weekend is to be bigger and better than ever, say organisers.
The Newbury Tattoo convention promises more than 100 exhibitors, showcasing some of the best artists in West Berkshire … and a chance to find out who is the town's strongest man and woman.
Visitors can enjoy a wealth of entertainment, including live music from bands across the weekend, a classic car show on Saturday (August 3), and, on Sunday (August 4), a BMX stunt bike show from Fusion Extreme.
And while at Newbury Raceourse, people will be able to get inked, as many of the pop-up studios will be offering walk-in bookings.
Trade booths will offer clothing and merchandise as well as products that can help look after tattoos.
Youngsters are welcome and face painting will be on offer for them.
One of the highlights on Saturday will be a contest to find Newbury's strongest man or woman.
Five events will be held, many will be familiar to people who watch the annual strongest man contest shown on television over Christmas.
They include a log press, a yoke run, a farmer's carry, a sandbag load, and a deadlift. If competitors are equal after these heats, a tiebreaker is planned.
Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women, and the event is organised by the Overreach Barbell Club.
Entry is £40 per competitor.
The event is organised by Newbury-based tattoo artist Lee Priddy, who is hoping to build on last year's inaugural event.
The 29-year-old who works at Full Power Studios in London Road said he wanted the event to be a safe space for creatives and alternative like-minded people.
“It’s not just about getting tattooed, or seeing a band, or watching a strongman show. It’s about coming together and becoming part of a community that really cares about one another,” he said.
“It’s really cool to see everyone coming together, meeting up with their friends and having this social thing happening in Newbury.
“We need more of these things happening, it’s really important and keeps towns like Newbury alive and buzzing.”
This is the third year the show has taken place, and originally launched in the Corn Exchange before switching to the racecourse. The first event attracted 800 people, last year it was 1,200. This year, organisers hope, will see even more people attend.
Mr Priddy thinks the reason is down to the atmosphere of the convention.
“Tattoo studios are full of creative, inclusive people,” he added. “Everybody can be who they want to be and there is no judgment from anybody. That is basically the kind of vibe we want the convention to be, just on a larger scale.
“You’re around like-minded people and creatives who will inspire you to come up with new things and help you achieve what you want to achieve.”
For those looking to get inked, the event has an advantage over searching online.
“You can scroll the internet for hours to find the right artist who does the style you like,” Mr Priddy said. “But when you have 100 artists together, you can spend five minutes chatting to each one of them, find out if you click.
“The style and design is important, but working with the artist is too as you could be sitting with them for five or six hours.
“Having so many artists in one room makes things a lot easier.
“It’s super social.”
He is looking forward to the strongman contest.
“A friend of mine started a strongman gym and came to me with the idea of the event,” Mr Priddy said. “The two events go hand-in-hand: a couple of competitors are artists or have tattoos.
“It’s a really cool addition as is the BMX stunt show. This came out of a connection I’ve made through tattooing. It’s going to be awesome.
“You can get a tattoo, sit and listen to music, have a drink and a little mooch around.
“I’m trying to build this up to be something bigger than just tattoos.”
The Newbury Tattoo Convention takes place at Newbury Racecourse, and visitors should use the rear entrance. Organisers recommend setting sat navs to Stryker House in Hambridge Road and then following the signs to the convention.
Log on to: newburytattooconvention.com for more details.
Entry costs £16.50 per day, £22 for a weekend ticket. Parking is £3 per day or £5 per weekend. All prices include a booking fee.
Doors are open from 11am to 8pm on both days.
An afterparty is planned for the Walkabout in Newbury from 9pm on the Saturday night.
