Forget the T-shirt. Forget the key-chain. If you’re looking for a souvenir from this weekend that you’re really going to keep forever, the Villain Arts Tattoo Festival has a few options.

This weekend, hundreds of tattoo artists will turn the Norris Penrose Event Center into an art gallery, where the walls aren’t the only thing covered in artwork and “just looking” can very easily turn into “where do you want it?”

So since ink has a funny way of making something permanent, bring your skin, an idea and maybe a little courage, and the artists will handle the rest.

For a $25 entrance fee, a world of artistic opportunity can arise and a phrase, image or simply something that looked cool on Pinterest at 2 a.m. can become part of the walking canvas you carry everywhere.

The bustling showcase of tattoo artists, live entertainment, vendors and plenty of people willing to let a stranger permanently decorate their skin will go on for three days at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road.

Founded in Philadelphia in 1999 by Troy Timpel, Villain Arts has grown from a single tattoo convention into one of the largest tattoo festivals in the world, hosting more than 30 shows across the country each year. 

This year alone, the festival has already reached 34 cities. 

“I kind of reinvented it into more of a festival atmosphere from what tattoo conventions were at the time,” Timpel said. “I wanted to create more of a festival vibe for people to really enjoy and get the general public to attend our party.”

The Colorado Springs show will run from 2 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $25 for a single-day pass or $50 for a three-day pass, with free admission for children younger than 12.

An art gallery you can wear

About 300 tattooers will be available throughout the weekend, with most artists listed on villainarts.com so attendees can check out their work and make appointments ahead of time. 

Despite advising booking appointments in advance, Timpel said plenty of artists leave room for walk-ins. However, caution is advised: Think before you ink.

Prices vary by artist and design, with small tattoos generally ranging from $100 to $300, medium pieces from $300 to $800 and larger or more detailed work starting around $1,000. 

The show has a $100 minimum per tattoo, but each artist sets their own rates.

“Tattooing has become much more popular and socially accepted through all the different genres and niches of pop culture,” Timpel said. “Now, we have tattooers from all over the world and the best local artists joining us.”

Among the international artists are Filip Kotarlic and Alessandro Pennella, with special guests including Trocon Talhouk, Al Fliction and “Ink Master’s” Dave Robinowitz. 

For those who aren’t sure they’re ready to commit to a piece, the festival can also be a chance to simply see tattooing up close, talk with artists and get a feel for the culture.

“You can come down, get a tattoo, see what the culture is all about and have a good time,” Timpel said. “Our artists are happy to give quotes, make appointments and they’re eager to tattoo you.”

Come for the tattoos, stay for the spectacle

For those who would rather keep their skin untouched or just admire the work, there will still be plenty to keep them entertained, including some acts that might make you question just how much the human body can actually do.

The festival will feature sideshow entertainment, including Guinness World Record-holding sword swallowers and live human suspension, in which performers suspend themselves from hooks pierced through their bodies. 

Other entertainment will include “America’s Got Talent” Captain and Maybelle, shape-shifter Camille Zamboni and performer Verona Fink, among others.

Between the acts, attendees can also browse vendors and grab food and drinks from numerous food trucks.

“A lot to see and a lot to do,” Timpel said. “It’s a whole lot going on for the low, low price of $25 to get in.”

So whether you’re coming for the ink, the art, the side acts or simply to see what all the fuss is about, there should be enough happening to keep you entertained and possibly forget about the needle buzzing in the background. 

IF YOU GO

What: Villain Arts Tattoo Festival

When: 2 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28-30

Where: Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road

Price: $25-$50, villainarts.com