INKcarceration fans fill Ohio State Reformatory grounds for 3 days of music and tattoos
Mansfield's renowned Ohio State Reformatory, which first housed inmates in 1896, is home this weekend to tens of thousands of "INKmates," as passholders to the annual INKcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival are fondly known.
This year's three-day heavy metal and tattoo festival, held on the grounds of the prison where the Hollywood classic "Shawshank Redemption" was filmed, sold out weeks ahead of time, with 75,000 tickets purchased and 25,000 people expected to attend each day, Friday through Sunday.
More than 50 bands and artists were scheduled to perform on multiple stages at OSR. Inside the historic prison, 30 of the nation's top tattoo artists were performing their ink artistry.
“We are sold out and thrilled to bring this phenomenal event, INKcarceration, for the fourth year to the city of Mansfield,” said Susan Fisher, assistant general business manager for the festival.
Korn, Papa Roach, Daughtry among Friday performers
The festival was first held in 2018, but was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming in 2021.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Destination Mansfield, Richland County, the city of Mansfield, Madison Township and the support of the Ohio State Patrol,” Fisher said.
Shawn Hall, of Grove City, was attending INKcarceration for the third time. He said he was pumped for Friday's headline act.
“I’m looking forward to being in the mosh pit for Korn,” Hall said.
Other bands that performed Friday included Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Daughtry, and Code Orange.
Festival-goers drive a visual narrative, Hall said.
“Three days of people watching,” he said.
Finding a place to sleep between visits to the Reformatory comes at a premium.
“We had some people who stayed in Akron last year,” said Lee Tasseff, President of Destination Mansfield. “They were from Buffalo.”
'Nationwide recognition' for Mansfield
The festival has quickly become a cultural boon for the area.
“This is nationwide recognition for the community,” Tasseff said. “This is here because of the Reformatory; if you don’t have the Reformatory, this is not here.”
INKmates cover the prison grounds from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but there are silent moving parts that make the event possible.
“We are grateful for the Reformatory, the INKcarceration team and Danny Wimmer Presents,” said Tasseff. “They all come together to make this happen.”
Popular heavy metal acts bring the fans.
“This should be ranked in the top 10 rock concerts nationwide,” Tasseff said. “It helps to get Mansfield and Richland County recognized.”
Saturday night's music lineup is topped by Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence, and Falling in Reverse. Sunday's concert headliners include Disturbed, Lamb of God, and Seether.
More information is available online at inkcarceration.com.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 'INKmates' fill Mansfield prison grounds for 3 days of music, tattoos
