Some travelling expos are worth the commute. And when they tout goods that would make Louis Vandredi from Friday the 13th: The Series salivate, the Oddities and Curiosities Expo will draw in more than just collectors seeking random old goods. Instead, this event is more like an Etsy on wheels, an arts and crafts show with a splash of Johnny J. Jones Exposition on the side. Based on what I saw of the stage show, it’s hardly a big draw.
I bought my pass a week before. When I visited, this city’s version wasn’t packed when compared to Youtube videos of other shows from other locations. Also, I was happy to notice a bit of pop-culture spillover! No Pikachu bones were found here. As for Cubone, there were none. Instead, there was artwork and some not-so-unusual variants for those who want a bit of goth in The Pokémon Company’s flagship mascot. Considering the dark critters in this franchise, I’m not surprised. Had I spotted a Gothorita figure, I most likely would’ve picked her up over anything official!
Although I didn’t expect Dungeons and Dragons, a random d20 and Beholder did catch my eye!
Even before deciding to go, I kept my expectations in check. Nothing had tempted me in advance, and I figured the chances of finding exactly what I wanted were low. And if a holy grail is here, finding it can take a whole day. This Terminal City show felt average in size and took a few hours to scour.
The expo occupied approximately a third of the Vancouver Convention Centre’s 73,500-square-foot lower west exhibition space. According to the signage, the space can be divided into three segments: Halls A, B, and C. With only one segment in use, that worked out to 24,500 square feet. Picturing that space as a 3-by-3 grid, I estimated the stage took up roughly one ninth. Food courts lined two sides, with plenty of space to lean against the walls. A workshop area occupied another side. With all that space accounted for, the actual exhibitors’ area felt awfully small by Fan Expo Vancouver’s standards.
And during my search, only one vendor offered a buckle for my Norse rune belt. Sadly, the design wouldn’t work, and that led me to conclude that I’m better off scouring Etsy than visiting markets in search of what I want. As for other trinkets, there was plenty of Cthulhu fan art and paranormal-themed merchandise to be had! That included pins, stickers, and a used collection of the Time-Life books. I didn’t need the books, as I have more up-to-date material.
As for real antiques, I’m guessing there’s only a 10% chance of finding anything that’s truly from the past.
As for original art, buyers sometimes share low-resolution versions on Pinterest to say, “I like this artist.” I’ve seen this trend for years, and it’s more noticeable when attending comic conventions. Here, artists often have QR codes nearby, so buyers don’t need to collect a ton of business cards and can spread the word online. Some could spend the day browsing this expo, flipping through bins of assorted art. Others could scroll through the artists’ websites to find what they want.
But after about three hours, I was finished. That included a quick look at the taxidermy displays. I was impressed by the artistry that went into presenting these critters, but I often wonder what an animal’s spirit thinks of being put on display. Not every taxidermist performs a spiritual-cleansing ritual, and I doubt they’re all concerned about that.
As for antiques and photographs of people long past, I believe those can carry lingering energy, too. Although I can’t feel it myself, I know mediums and sensitives who say they can. One vendor had a few period photographs tucked away, and I get the feeling that’s where that impression came from. It was kind of like having Vigo the Carpathian from Ghostbusters in the room. I saw some people point to one photograph as creepy. Those who sense such things often describe an uneasy feeling. It can hit like a tidal wave or even leave someone feeling faint. I overheard someone warning a vendor that an object didn’t like being at the show.
With more folks embracing Paganism and Wicca as ways of life, there’s room to explore other planes in a different sense. These types of “dead things” remind me of James Dean’s famously cursed car. I’m glad we don’t have that thing touring, too. Most of the car got “lost” in transit to Miami and is said to have never been found.
When Indigenous artefacts carry sacred significance and a connection to spirit, I can believe it! I’ve seen the documentaries; when sacred objects are unethically removed and sold for profit, I can imagine the wrath of the Hawaiian goddess Pele or another deity. I didn’t find a statement from the show’s producers specifically addressing sacred objects. They do have guidelines for vetting vendors and deciding what can be sold. That’s a bit of gatekeeping I approve of, including their firm stance against AI art.
As for the truly obscure or ancient books, I wouldn’t expect to find much here. Those tend to be sold and traded privately. Still, I’d flip if I found the real-life equivalent of Tobin’s Spirit Guide or the Spates Catalog. I don’t need another Necronomicon, but I came close with an academic-style study of the occult: Spirit Worlds: The Library of Esoterica, by Jessica Hundley (Amazon link).
As for Tiki Mugs… well, after securing two of Storm Crow Manor’s bestselling cups, I found nothing here to match the theme: lich kings and Cthulhu. There were smaller custom drinking vessels and skull-shaped incense holders, but they didn’t impress me. As much as I wanted something Viking, what I found was nowhere close. One artisian designed Nordic window glass style works rather than offered belts and buckles.
As for Ancient Egyptian-themed pieces, it was limited to a replica of an artefact from King Tut’s tomb and many scarab-shaped pieces of jewelry. Oddly enough, no well-placed ankhs or Eye of Horus designs were clearly visible for customers to find.
Overall, was this event worth the long commute? With my expectations kept in check, yes. I had a good time wandering around and looking at things with friends. My main practical criticism is that no proper vendor map or vendor list was offered online. I found that information on sandwich boards at the venue. Too little, too late for planning the visit. Hopefully, this will change for future shows, as some people like to know what’s there before buying a ticket.
Thankfully, Godzilla and Cthulhu fan art was nearly everywhere. I counted at least four vendors offering it. And I even picked up a used book, The Mayan Factor: Path Beyond Technology (Amazon link), which explores what the great calendar allegedly represents. No, it’s not about the end of days. But those are the sorts of things that keep me thinking late into the night!
According to its organizers, the Oddities and Curiosities Expo is North America’s largest internationally travelling oddities/subculture event. That may well be true in bigger cities. In Vancouver, the scale feels more modest. This year’s show was their second here, so I have to wonder what the first one was like. To expect an event on the same scale as a huge comic convention is a bad idea.
Co-founder Michelle Cozzaglio’s description had me picturing something larger. She said, “From 25 vendors in Tulsa, to 200+ vendors in cities across the US, Canada and Australia—it’s been amazing to watch it grow.” Approximately 95 vendors are listed on the map provided on site. Her statement doesn’t promise 200 vendors at every stop, but the Vancouver edition was smaller than that description led me to imagine.
And as a USA-based show, they may not have known about homegrown annual events like the Nightmare Before Christmas Market, which took place the same weekend. With both shows offering similar products, I can imagine attendees splitting their time between them. The local market offers a more grassroots alternative.
The organizers promise something weird for everyone and assure buyers that all merchandise is legal and sustainably sourced. I appreciate those standards, but my concerns also extend to spiritual residue. That’s a different beast. In some cultures, artefacts left to honour the dead should remain buried and not in museums and private collections. When trusted friends who are sensitives report that serious energy existed around certain booths, I listen. Buyer, be aware.
Vancouver’s The Oddities and Curiosities Expo
