A worldwide tattoo convention is coming to Sacramento — and its CEO runs a local parlor

After nearly a year of sweat and tears, an inaugural international three-day tattoo convention — filled with live tattooing, vendors, food, contests and more — will open its doors to Sacramento from Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8.

The newly renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Sacramento will house the Capitol City Classic Tattoo Convention. Its CEO Britton McFetridge, from Sacramento, said more than 200 tattoo artists were handpicked from around the world, representing Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, England, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Australia, Malaysia, Japan and the United States.

“People are traveling all over the world just to get tattooed at this convention and to hang out and to buy artwork and books and get tattooed...it’s a really cool thing for Sacramento,” McFetridge said.

Tickets to the Capitol City Classic Tattoo Convention range from $35 to $135.

Tamie Stephens, the event coordinator with Capitol City Classic Tattoo Convention, said winners of the weekend-long tattoo contests could walk away with an original ceramic created by McFetridge — regardless if the tattoo was done at the convention or not.

“It’s so exciting to see this caliber of artists under one roof, it’s like the super show the — best of the best,” Stephens said.

But planning the at least $100,000 international tattoo convention in the middle of COVID-19 was anything but easy.

“There’s been a lot, a lot of hoops to jump through because at the beginning we were in lockdowns, we had omicron and we had a lot of issues,” said McFetridge, who is also the owner of Royal Peacock Tattoo Parlor in midtown and East Sacramento. “And it took a huge leap of faith to have forward thinking.”

Live tattooing at the convention

According to the convention’s website, the event will host the most talented and internationally recognized tattoo artists, noting every genre and style of tattoo will be featured: Japanese, American traditional, fine-line black and grey, tribal and realism.

And event goers could walk away with a fresh tattoo.

Stephens said the more than 200 tattoo artists, except for one, will be tattooing patrons who either have an appointment or a walk-in slot.

“This is kind of unusual to have this kind of caliber of tattooers come and just take in walk-ins or take in appointments within a couple weeks period, so it should be exciting,” she said.

About the convention

FEATURED TATTOO ARTISTS

Hundreds of artists from around the world will be at the Capitol City Tattoo Convention, including some of the following California-based tattoo artists:

• Grime - San Francisco
• Horitomo - San Jose
• Freddy Corbin - Oakland
• Chuey Quintanar - Los Angeles
• Jack Rudy - Anaheim
• Scott Slyvia - San Francisco
• Tim Hendricks - Fullerton

Here’s a full list of the tattoo artists that will be at the convention.

VENDORS

Here’s a list of a few vendors set to be at the convention, according to its website:

• Belzel Books - Tattoo books and magazines
• The Old Standard Supply California - Tattoo books
• Kingpin Tattoo Supply - Tattoo equipment
• Critical Tattoo Supply - Tattoo equipment
• Saltwater Tattoo Supply - Tattoo equipment
• Timeless Thrills - Apparel brand
• Odd Fella’s Vintage

• Spiritus Opus

CONVENTION SCHEDULE

Here’s what to expect each day at the convention to help decide what type of tickets to purchase.

Friday, May 6 | 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

There will be no seminars. Here’s a list of the contests:

1. Small black and grey tattoo
2. Small color tattoo
3. Large black and grey tattoo
4. Large color tattoo
5. Tattoo of the day

Saturday, May 7 | noon to 11 p.m.

• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - “Tattoo Machine Discourse” with Shane Enholm and Ken Cameron.
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - “Introduction to Lettering” with Jack Rudy
• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - “Smile Now Cry Later” with Freddy Negrete, Chuey Quintanar and Johnny Qunitana.

Here’s a list of the contests:

1. Best Japanese tattoo
2. Best front/back tattoo
3. Best sleeve tattoo
4. Best tattoo collection
5. Tattoo of the day

Sunday, May 8 | noon to 7 p.m.

There will be no seminars. Here’s a list of the contests:

1. Best traditional tattoo
2. Best portrait tattoo
3. Tattoo of the day
4. Best of the show

WHERE BUY TICKETS

As of April 27, there are five different tickets to choose from including day passes, a weekend pass and a VIP weekend package with prices ranging from $35 to $135 per ticket. Prices include:

• Advance Day Pass: $35
• Weekend Pass: $100
• VIP Package weekend pass (includes apparel, event “swag” and an invite to all after hour parties): $135

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE CONVENTION?

The Capitol City Classic Tattoo Convention will run between Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Sacramento at 1400 J St.

This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.