Tattoos and Blues festival returns to Santa Rosa

Mothers pushing strollers and senior citizens were among the crowd Saturday at the 27th annual Santa Rosa Tattoos & Blues festival at the Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa. The three-day event, which ends Sunday, was expected to draw up to 5,000 people. Organizer Daat Kraus, a longtime Santa Rosa tattoo artist, said the largest-ever turnout is further evidence that body ink has gone mainstream. 'Everybody gets tattoos,' Kraus said. 'It's a big deal. It's entered the popular culture.' The festival features 250 of the best West Coast tattoo artists, including Alex Chavez, center photo, who works on a back tattoo on Melanie Carney. Also present is Ukiah-bred artist Lyle Tuttle, who has tattooed notable musicians from Janis Joplin to the Allman Brothers. For the $15 admission, enthusiasts can browse 48 tattoo shops, all under one roof, listen to blues and rockabilly music and stroll a parking lot hot rod show.