INK Music & Tattoo festival this weekend at OSR

Brace yourselves. Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival returns to the historic Ohio State Reformatory in a few days.

The festival — slated for July 18 to 20 — officially starts Friday, but festival goers who plan to camp at the Richland County Fairgrounds are expected to arrive Thursday.

Here’s everything you need to know — whether you own a ticket or not.

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Traffic delays & closures

Beware of road closures and delays starting Friday.

Starting at 7 a.m., Olivesburg Road will close until 4 a.m. July 20.

There will also be temporary road closures and traffic lane changes to allow for attendees to get out of the parking lot along North Main Street, Fifth Avenue and U.S. Route 30. 

Expect delays in the area, police have said, especially on the following roads:

  • State Route 13 between Harker Street and Harrington Memorial Road
  • State Route 545 between Wayne Street and Piper Road
  • East Longview Avenue between North Main Street and Olivesburg Road
  • U.S. 30 between U.S. Route 42 and North Trimble Road in both directions

“It is recommended that local motorists take an alternate route to avoid the expected traffic congestion in these areas over this weekend,” police have said.

Insider tip: use OHGO online and via mobile app for live traffic closures and delays. 

The music

Inkcarceration will again feature three stages with three full days of music. The festival features 66 bands, several of which are coming together for reunions (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Acid Bath, Snot and some others).

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Headlining this year is Falling In Reverse (Friday), Slipknot (Saturday) and Five Finger Death Punch (Sunday).

Slipknot appeared at Ink in 2023. This year’s show, however, will be the nine-piece Iowa band’s only U.S. performance.

Other performers include Marilyn Manson, Three Days Grace, Lamb of God, Chiodos, Drowning Pool, Bilmuri and The Devil Wears Prada.

Around 10 bands are also slated for late-night performances at the Richland County Fairgrounds for all the campers.

Here’s a link to the full lineup. And this will take you to the daily schedule.

Pro tip: download the festival’s app to build your own schedule so you don’t miss a thing.

The food and drink

There are 27 vendors dishing up cuisine and beverages to festival goers — three hail from Richland County (Athena Gyro Express, Grunts Grub and Mad Meltz). Click here for a full list, and scroll down to “Food Vendors.”

The festival will also include a Slipknot pop-up whiskey bar, a Nutrl lounge and a tent featuring Monster Energy drinks and swag.

The ink

Tattoo artists will set up on the northwest sector of the event and inside the historic Ohio State Reformatory.

This year, tattoo artist Paul Booth — known as the “dark lord of ink” — headlines the festival’s body art portion.

There are 41 tattoo companies this year hailing from around the U.S., and people can book appointments directly through the artists for getting inked.

Did you know? The festival features a tattoo competition, featuring artists near and far that compete in various categories.

The setup

The festival’s layout will look a little different this year, with the two main stages facing south and the adjacent VIP area abutting up against the Yard Stage.

The experience

There’s much more to Inkcarceration than crowd surfing and tattooing — some people get married there.

Festival goers will get a chance this year to experience Blood Prison, the beloved haunted attraction within the Ohio State Reformatory that features the iconic Warden’s Widow.

Organizers encourage ticket holders to reserve spots for the popular attraction. You can do so in the festival’s app. (P.S. All proceeds from ticket sales for Blood Prison will benefit OSR.)

Speaking of the OSR, ticket holders will also be able to take self-guided tours of the historic prison. Walk through the cell blocks (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) featured in films such as Shawshank Redemption and Air Force One, among others.

Certain ticket holders will get access to the VIP lounge, an air-conditioned area with exclusive bars, locker storage, an elevated spectators’ stage, a hydration station and private (and flushable) restrooms.

But there’s also going to be a Monster Energy booth, which will also feature a tent, a chain stitcher offering free embroidery on Monster swag and, of course, Monster drinks.

Engraver Hank Hanro Robinson will also set up shop there. The metal engraver (and former military veteran) will be working on pieces and one lucky fan will take home a piece during a raffle at the event.

Also, check out Take Me Home, an animal rescue based in Santa Monica, California. The charity for animals has partnered with Danny Wimmer Presents to spread awareness on spay and neuter and adoption outreach. (DWP is the festival’s owner and organizer.)

Hotels, camping, parking

Festival organizers partnered with area hotels for those who want to bundle. VIP tickets and hotel stay bundles have sold out. Those went for $1,360 per person.

There are some general admission and hotel bundles available, but that will set you back about $800. And the closest hotel stays available, at this point, are located in Columbus. Campers will set up on the Richland County Fairgrounds again. Tickets are available, but only through joining a waitlist ($400-$600).

There are still some tickets available, though the festival typically sells out. A single-day pass starts at $165.

But if you want to do that, you’ll have to settle for Friday or Sunday. (Saturday tickets have sold out.)

If you’re driving and you need to park, there are some parking passes still available from the three grass lots. Passes range from $30 to $80.

New to Mansfield?

If you’re new here, check out this guide for restaurants, cafés, things to do and places to visit between sets.

Below are some great spots, close to the venue, to grab a bite, drink, visit or shop.

Eat

Drink

Other cool spots

courtesy: Richland Source

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