Been searching for a taxidermied raccoon or a crown of bones? We’ve got you covered.
KNX News’ Mike Simpson visited the Los Angeles Convention Center for the Oddities and Curiosities Expo, a traveling show that exhibits taxidermy, creepy dolls, quack medical devices, soap named after serial killers, and more.
“They’re basically like the reject vendors,” said Michelle Cozzaglio, who runs the expo along with her husband Tony. “They don't belong in flea markets, they don't belong in just like, you know, whatever you think of, like little vintage shops or whatever. They're special. And you know, there's a whole community that loves the strange, unusual.”
Cozzaglio said she started the event in her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“I've always been a lover of just the weird. I grew up in punk, so I've always had colorful hair and tattoos and I've just been into alternative culture forever,” she said. “I originally started it by just being like, oh, it would be really cool to just get, you know, our friends together and just trade weird stuff and get some vendors.”
Mike Simpson/KNX News
The first show in Tulsa drew 2000 people. Now the expo travels to more than 30 cities, drawing over 15,000 folks each weekend. Along with vendors, the expo features performers swallowing swords and walking on glass, as well as taxidermy and entomology classes.
“You can always tell when the weird goth friend brings their normal friend and they're coming in. We try to have something weird for everyone though, so they'll find something, stickers, something like that,” Cozzaglio said.
Mike Simpson/KNX News
Listen to the full episode of “Do You Work Here?” to get a peek inside the expo.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
