Oddmall in Everett will be a bazaar of the bizarre

Oddmall is no ordinary trip to the mall.

Or any marketplace, for that matter.

It’s billed as a forum for creative expression, a classroom for esoteric wisdom, a miraculous marketplace of the unconventional, a metaphorical Serengeti watering hole where the zebras and wildebeests of inspiration and artistry congregate amidst the snapping crocodiles and scorching sunbeams of originality and ingenuity.

Say what?

“It’s part art show, part craft show, part nerd fest,” promoter David Hopp said. “It’s geeky, nerdy fun with no admission charge.”

The two-day event is happening in Everett this weekend to showcase handmade items not found at typical holiday bazaars.

There will be about 100 booths of things weird, freaky, bizarre, off the cob or just plain different. Monster stuffed animals. Mutated dolls. Bone creatures. Sculptured soap. Sipping vinegar. Cartoons of copulating beasts.

“There are some normal things: pottery, jewelry, clothing,” Hopp said.

Well, at least the categories sound normal.

“Normal things make the weird things that much weirder,” he said.

There will also be live music, comedy, a fashion show and a freak show.

The first Oddmall was started in Ohio by Hopp’s brother, Andy, a fantasy artist, illustrator and author.

“He would go to craft shows and try to sell artwork. There was jewelry and doilies and he didn’t fit in,” said Hopp, 43, of Kenmore. “He created his own show for artists like himself who focus on more unusual things.”

Hopp, who works as manager of dining services at an assisted living community, brought this emporium of the weird to Washington a year ago. This is the third show, with the next slated for summer 2015 in Everett.

“I try to focus on the most unusual arts, crafts and entertainers we can find,” he said.

“Sideshow troupes. Feats that amaze.”

The Wreckless Freeks of Seattle specialize in acts that tax the human body. They lie on a bed of nails and get pounded by bowling balls dropped by someone on a ladder. Or put their face in broken glass and thumbtacks and have an audience member step on their head.

“Things like that,” Hopp said.

It’s a free show, but tips are accepted.

“They invite audience members up on stage to staple money to various body parts,” Hopp said. “How much depends on how much you donate: $5 for the cheek, $1 dollar for the chest and $20 for the tongue.”

While you’re stapling body parts, your kids can don unicorn hats and party with Fairy Princess Lolly in the balloon castle in celebration of her 400th “bloomday.” Sidekicks include her handmaiden Lady Leaflock and science magician Ion the Leprechaun.

“It’s a family friendly show,” Hopp said.

Adult-oriented items are required to be covered up. For example: the 2015 Dragon Sex calendar with cartoon pictures of dragons doing it. “Some people are into that,” Hopp said.

Quick question: What do you wear to such an event?

“We encourage people to show up in costume,” Hopp said. “Whatever your inner character is. We have people dress up from chickens and clowns to fairies and mystical creatures. Creativity is the only limit.”

Bring pajamas. The event is collecting items for Treehouse, a charity that gives new pajamas to kids in foster care.

“Everybody who brings a pair of pajamas will be entered to win a bowling party for 12 people with the Mariner Moose,” Hopp said.

Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @reporterbrown.

If you go

Oddmall is at Holiday Inn, 3105 Pine St., Everett. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 22 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23. Free. There is small admission to the Museum of Curious Things, a 24-foot Airstream trailer parked outside that has oddities, anatomical atrocities and bizarre inventions. For more, go to www.oddmall.info; Facebook.com/oddmallseattle; or Twitter: @oddmallseattle.

Here’s a schedule of entertainers for each day:

Nov. 22

Noon: Parsifal the Merciful

1 p.m.: Indecent Liberty

2 p.m.: Dames for Dreams Fashion Show

3 p.m.: Good Co.

4 p.m.: Wreckless Freek

5 p.m.: Steel Beans

6 p.m.: IVIean Street Meanie

Nov. 23

Noon: Mean Street Meanie

1 p.m.: Indecent Liberty