Over the weekend, the fifth annual DC Tattoo Expo took place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, making Arlington’s Crystal City a temporary epicenter of the burgeoning body-modification industry. Spearheaded by Greg Piper of Manassas, Va.’s Exposed Temptations Tattoo, the three-day event brought together more than 160 tattoo artists from around the world, who offered a diverse, colorful crowd of thousands the opportunity to get themselves inked on site, or (for the less intrepid) to watch skilled craftspeople showcase their skills.

Tattoo contests were held in an eclectic variety of categories, and Saturday night featured the added spectacle of the fourth annual Miss D.C. Pin-Up Contest. Dozens of vendors offered sundry wares, representing all types of tattoo-related paraphernalia, and after-parties in the hotel bar capped off the weekend’s festivities.

Above, check out some of our favorite photos from the event.