Mighty Warship Olympia Tattoo Festival

Fri., Oct. 16, 2-10 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 17, noon-10 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 18, noon-5 p.m.; $20, Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org.

by Kristen Humbert

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

[ party ]

Vintage American tattoos, once a marginal art form available only to seamen, can now be enjoyed by any landlubber who visits a tattoo parlor. Craving a more authentic ink experience? The Independent Seaport Museum is hosting a tattoo festival onboard the Landmark Cruiser Olympia, in conjunction with its "Skin & Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor" exhibit. Visitors can check out art shows, vaudeville freaks, tattoo contests and vendors selling tat memorabilia. They can also get tattoos on deck — but please don't ask for a portrait of Megan Fox on your big toe. The fest specifically celebrates the "traditional American tattoo" — think pouty pinup girls, dark blue anchors and simplistic roses. "The [American tattoos] are very graphic, very bold," says curator Craig Brun. "As contrasted to today, when tattoo artists are working with shading and realistic depictions." You've still got choices: There'll be more than 40 tattoo artists on board, each with their own designs and needles at the ready.

Fri., Oct. 16, 2-10 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 17, noon-10 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 18, noon-5 p.m.; $20, Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org.