STURBRIDGE, Mass. - The 15th annual Massachusetts Tattoo and Arts Festival was held in Sturbridge over the weekend. The three-day event featured 160 tattoo artists, as well as piercers, side-show acts and vendors.

It is estimated roughly 5,000 people attended the festival, and 1,000 people got tattoos.

Joe Peterson, the show’s promoter and owner of Zaza Ink in West Boylston, said getting tattoos has become more popular in recent years, largely due to social media.

He added that while tattoos were once considered fringe, they are now part of pop culture. He believes the festival brought a sense of belonging to those who attended.

“It brings people together, you see people look at each other’s tattoos and compliment each other,” Peterson said. “They inspire each other, a lot of people will look around to see what other people have to decide what they want to do and what they want to have for their next tattoo, so it really is a fun thing to share with people that you don’t know.”

Other longtime tattoo artists said they've noticed a massive increase in people's talent and skill throughout the years. 

"What we've been able to do with new tools has allowed all kinds of art styles to come through, and some of these people are absolutely phenomenal at what they do," tattoo artist Jak Nealy said.

The festival was held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, and prizes were awarded for best of show, tattoo of the day, best theme-related tattoo and more.