GENERAL EVENT FAQ

What are the expo show hours?

SHOW HOURS

Saturday: 10am - 5pm

Sunday: 10am -5pm 
Does the expo accept cash & card? Can I pay at the door?

YES! Cash and credit is accepted at the door. Day of tickets are $20. 

YES! The large majority of vendors accept both cash and card. If they only accept cash, they will have signs up. Some accept Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, etc. 

** PLEASE NOTE: We recommend only buying direct from our ticketing platform and not through anyone selling via Facebook. Lots of scammers out there!
Is there re-entry at the expo?

Yes! Upon arriving you will get a stamp that allows you to re-enter during show hours. Bags are subject to search each time. 
Does the expo need volunteers?

Though we truly appreciate how much interest we get regarding volunteer work, we do not need volunteers at our shows. We have trained staff at each show making sure everything is running smoothly.
Can I come to the expo in costume?

YES! Please do! We love when our awesome attendees show up in costume. Make note: Depending on venue you may have to undergo a bag or quick costume search before entering. No realistic weapons.
Is the expo kid friendly?

We are an all ages event! Families come and enjoy their day with us all the time. But, it depends on the child and if they get frightened easily.We always say, "Parental Discretion Advised". There are no refunds.
Are strollers, wheelchairs large bags, and animals allowed in the venue?

Strollers/Prams: Yes!

Wheelchairs: Yes, always. Each venue is ADA compliant. We do NOT provide wheelchairs. Its best to contact the venue to check if they offer wheelchair rentals.

Large bags: Yes, but they are subject to search before entering.

Animals: Service animals only in most venues. We recommend checking the specific venue website.
What do I do if I have a large purchase on show day and need to pull up closer for pick up?

Please talk with the vendor you are purchasing from and they will contact show management. At that time show management will coordinate pulling your vehicle up closer for pick up. 
How are the animals I see at the expo sourced?

None of the animals you see at our event were killed for the sake of art or collecting for the O&C Expo. All of our vendors are required to source sustainably. This can come from a variety of sources including: vet clinics, farms, sanctuaries, road kill, foraging, antique/vintage auctions and more. 

Instead of being discarded, our vendors give these animals another purpose in the afterlife - whether its beauty is preserved in a jar, becomes a taxidermy mount, or used in an art piece. 
How do I find out specific show day details?

Each city and venue is different on parking costs, where to enter, etc. We always include an informational post in each Facebook event page leading up to event day. If you already have tickets, you will receive information via email or can check our website for your cities tab at the top of the page. 
Am I able to bring my camera inside the expo?

Yes! Cameras are welcome. We do however ask you be respectful of the vendors and if they have signage not allowing photo or video, please respect their requests. 
Will there be food and drink at the expo?

YES! There will always be food and drink concession available for purchase. 
Can I bring my pet to the expo?

Sadly almost all venues allow service animals only. Please leave your pet at home or inquire about a specific venue via our contact form. 
Is the expo wheelchair accessible? Do you rent wheelchairs?

Yes! The venues and entire expo including the vendor space, classroom and museum is wheelchair accessible.

We cannot guarantee wheelchair rental at the venue. We recommend reaching out to your cities venue beforehand. 
Can I bring things in for trade with the vendors?

This is not allowed at our show.

TICKETING FAQ

Do I HAVE to purchase my ticket in advance?

No, we will always have tickets day of at the door.
What is your ticket refund policy?

Tickets are nonrefundable. *Unless the event is fully canceled. You can however sell your ticket to another person! All they need is the barcode on the ticket.  NO REFUNDS IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND. NO REFUNDS IF YOU DID NOT LIKE THE EVENT FOR WHATEVER REASON. 
Does it matter if my ticket does not have the correct name on it?

No, the name on the ticket does not matter. We only need the QR code on the ticket to scan. 
I cant find my ticket, what should I do?

If you cannot find your ticket in your inbox, please contact us via the contact form with the following info:

- Name

- Email 

- City you're attending
Do I need to purchase a ticket for my child?

Children 12 and under are free and do NOT need a ticket. NO REFUNDS!
I wasnt able to attend the day I purchased my ticket for, can I come the next day?

Absolutely. The ticket is valid until scanned. It will NOT work both days, but will work for either day. 

MERCHANDISE FAQ 

Will I be able to purchase official expo merchandise in person?

YES! Our merchandise booth is available near the entry at every expo. We have multiple  t-shirts, tote bags, hoodies, enamel pins, patches, stickers and more at the booth. Thanks for your support! 
Help! I haven't received my online merchandise order...what do I do?

If you haven't received your online order within 14 business days, please reach out via our contact form with the following info:

Name

Email

Order # (if you have it) 
What is your return policy for online orders?

All items purchased online are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.

VENDOR FAQ

How can I apply to be a vendor?

Visit the "VEND" tab for information if applications near you are open.
What type of vendors does the expo accept?

We are a heavily curated show and only book within our dark, strange and odd theme.. We DO NOT accept direct sale / franchise based companies. 
I'm a confirmed vendor but lost my acceptance email, how do I get in touch with show management?

Please reach out via the contact form on our website and we will get you to the right place.
I applied but never heard back?

We note on the 2026 application that only those chosen to vend will receive an acceptance email within 40 days of submitting. This is due to the high volume of applications received! We truly appreciate your interest in our show and if there are any changes or availability arises, we will reach out. You are welcome to reach out via out contact form for updates! 

CLASS FAQ

What time does class start and when do I need to be there?

We ask that all students arrive at least 15 minutes prior to class start time. There are multiple classes throughout the weekend so you need to check which class you are attending. Students are responsible for knowing their specific classes start time.

USA/CANADA SHOWS:

Opossum/Raccoon Taxidermy Class: 10AM-4PM

Sunset Moth Entomology Class: 10AM-12PM

Scorpion Habitat Entomology Class: 130PM-330PM

Octopus & Tentacle Globe Wet Specimen Class: 10AM-12PM

Ratalope Coffin Taxidermy Class: 130PM-330PM


AUSTRALIA SHOWS:

Jackalope Taxidermy Class: 10AM-4PM

Squirrel Shoulder Mount Taxidermy Class: 130PM-4PM

Octopus & Tentacle Globe Wet Specimen Class: 10AM-12PM

Butterfly Pinning Entomology Class: 130PM-330PM

Beetle Pinning Entomology Class: 1:30PM-330PM


Late students wont have enough time to catch up and tickets are non refundable as we have already prepared your hides/supplies in advance. PLEASE give yourself enough time to park, walk, arrive, etc.
Where is the class held within the expo?

Each class is at a different location within the expo - sometimes within the hall and sometimes in a meeting room near the hall. When you arrive to get your ticket scanned you will be directly on where to wait for your instructor. 
What is the class schedule?

Each class has a unique schedule. This varies per city and per day. Please check your class information in advance.


USA/CANADA SHOWS:

Opossum/Raccoon Taxidermy Class: 10AM-4PM

Sunset Moth Entomology Class: 10AM-12PM

Scorpion Habitat Entomology Class: 130PM-330PM

Octopus & Tentacle Globe Wet Specimen Class: 10AM-12PM

Ratalope Coffin Taxidermy Class: 130PM-330PM


AUSTRALIA SHOWS:

Jackalope Taxidermy Class: 10AM-4PM

Squirrel Shoulder Mount Taxidermy Class: 130PM-4PM

Octopus & Tentacle Globe Wet Specimen Class: 10AM-12PM

Butterfly Pinning Entomology Class: 130PM-330PM

Beetle Pinning Entomology Class: 1:30PM-330PM


CHECK YOUR CLASS DAY! These vary per city. 
Is there an age restriction for the classes?

YES. 


We do require a parent or legal guardian to purchase a ticket and follow along with their student. This applies to any student under the age of 16. We do not allow any students under the age of 13 into the taxidermy workshops. PLEASE EMAIL THE INSTRUCTOR to get permission regarding an underage student BEFORE you purchase a ticket - this goes for ALL CLASSES. Approval must be granted for a student under the age of 16 IN ADVANCE. We only take a certain number of underage students so we MUST know about their attendance in advance. 


THERE ARE NO REFUNDS IF YOU PURCHASE YOUR CHILD A TICKET BEFORE GETTING APPROVED IN ADVANCE. There is no guarantee that day of they will be accepted into the class.


Email: Thesleepingsirens3@gmail.com for USA/Canada/AUS dates 
Can I share my specimen with someone? Or at least sit in with my friend?

Unfortunately NO, we can only allow ticketed students into class. There is no project sharing allowed as we do not have the space in the room. There are NO refunds if you plan to share and decide to not take the class alone.
Do I get to keep what I make in class?

Absolutely! It's all yours to take home.
Does the class price include General Admission?

Yes! The class price includes your admission to the expo. You do NOT need an entry ticket as well for the day of your class. No refunds.
Are the specimens in class sourced sustainably?

From The Sleeping Sirens instructors...

We pride ourselves on ethically and sustainably sourced specimens for all of our classes. In many cases, sourcing appropriate materials takes years of advance planning to ensure both ethical integrity and educational quality for our students.

Taxidermy class hides are sourced exclusively from feeder animals, invasive species, and population-control programs. Nothing goes to waste—every usable part is repurposed. We collaborate with multiple vendors and artists who specialize in utilizing materials that would otherwise be discarded. To further reduce waste, we also occasionally work with reptile breeders here in Florida to responsibly use suitable leftover meat from select specimens.

Entomology specimens come from a variety of trusted sources and often take years to collect. Working with multiple suppliers allows us to maintain sustainable sourcing practices while avoiding overreliance on any single source. We also collaborate with many in-house vendors at the Oddities & Curiosities Expo, helping keep funds circulating within our creative and scientific community.

Octopus specimens are obtained through multiple seafood suppliers and originate from the food industry. We take our responsibility a step further by sourcing specimens that are unsuitable for human consumption. This includes items affected by damaged packaging, improper temperature control, mis-deliveries, expired stock, or similar issues that would otherwise result in disposal.

Because octopus specimens have been a major topic of discussion this year, we want to clearly illustrate just how minimal our impact truly is. Annually, 12–15 metric tons of octopus are imported into the United States. Using the lower estimate, that equals approximately 26.4 million pounds per year. In contrast, throughout 2026, our classes will collectively use an estimated 260–300 pounds total, based on average class sizes and the number of workshops offered. To put this further into perspective, individual waste pickups from suppliers can range from 100–150 pounds at a time, and there have even been instances where we’ve declined specimens due to limited storage capacity.

No animals are ever harmed for our work. We do not hunt, trap, or commission animals specifically for educational use. Our mission is rooted in conservation, education, and responsible reuse—ensuring respect for both the specimens and the ecosystems they come from.

O&C Expo Product Bans & Info

We DO NOT allow the sale of real bats or human remains at our shows due to the lack of confident confirmation that these items are ethically, respectfully and responsibly sourced. 


We do not allow the sale of AI generated artwork in our show. We highly recommend if you think a piece of art is AI - ask the vendor! We're constantly getting people claiming art they see at our show is AI when its not - we just have some incredibly talented artists and they're happy to talk about and show you their process, WIP shots and more. Just ask! 


We're constantly working against drop ship style products in our show from websites like Temu, AliExpress, etc. We do not allow this and do our best to ensure all vendors are selling sustainably sourced goods.