Hawk-TattooIf you’ve ever considered getting some ink, southwest Iowa is the place to go for being needled this weekend.

What’s called the “Best in the Midwest Tattoo Convention” is being held in Council Bluffs. An Omaha tattoo shop owner, who only goes by the name Smitty, organized the event.

“We’ll have 120 booths and most will have two to three artists working out of each booth so there’ll be over 300 licensed tattooers there from all over the country,” Smitty says. Some of the most well-known tattoo artists in the nation will be at the convention, showing off their colorful works and offering their services. Many have gained fame from reality TV shows.

“We’re going to have cast members from five seasons of ‘Ink Masters,’ including a winner and a runner up and a lot of the supporting cast,” he says. In addition to the buzz of the tools used to create tattooes, there will be plenty of other things to catch your eyes and ears, including live music, magicians and “side show” acts.

“It is a family event and suitable for your kids or your mother,” Smitty says. “Anybody can come. We have live entertainment that’s PG-rated. There’s a lot to take in. It’s almost sensory overload.” It is a competition with judging in various categories daily. The convention runs today through Sunday at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs.