The aroma of incense and the sound of excitement filled the Scheman Building as over 1,500 people attended the fifth annual Ames Psychic and Paranormal Expo this past Saturday and Sunday. 

More than 50 vendors from an array of different states came to offer their services, sell their merchandise, and educate. These booths featured Tarot Readings, crystals, jewelry and much more. 

There are many reasons the vendors attend these expos, for Kelly McCarville, one of the organizer of these expos, it is important to create a safe space for vendors and visitors. 

“It’s important to have a community to explore and learn more and experience it that’s safe and fun” McCarville said. “It’s just an opportunity to bring in all those talents and gifts.”

Toni, a Medium and Reiki Master, featured Tarot reading and angel reading at her book. She has been an intuitive since birth, and believes that there is always more to life than what we have been told. 

Toni also believes that “people need to know that a reading has to do with the intent of the reader. If the reader has a positive intent its going to be positive.”

Along with booths, some of the vendors had the opportunity to hold a presentation to teach attendees about their specialties. These speakers covered topics like healing through forgiveness, reincarnation, and paranormal investigations in a very relaxed manor. 

Chris Neilson and his brother, the creators of All Out Paranormal, gave a presentation on Investigations and Evidence and spoke to their experiences in paranormal investigation and explained their thoughts on the portrayal of paranormal investigation in mass media.

“We enjoy being out and talking to people about this, the best idea people can get are those TV shows and its good exposure” Neilson said. “It’s really cool that we are able to spread our message they way we feel it should be put out there”. 

Psychics in the Cities, a group based in the Twin Cities, held a laid back presentation in which the spoke about their experience coming into their abilities and the hardships that they have had finding a place to feel comfortable.

They spoke about how nice it is to be able to speak to people who may be going through they same struggles they did when they were younger, and inform attendees about their experiences as mediums.

Students attending the event have the same mindset as the venders, to learn.

“I’ve always been interested in paranormal stuff, so that’s why we came to check it out and learn about it”. Danelly, a student at Iowa State said. 

“I just like learning about the different symbols there everything can have and the meanings and purposes each of them can hold” Ash, a student attending the expo, said.

Many of the vendors held the same attitude about the Ames atmosphere. “The thing that I like about Ames the most is that there’s such a desire to learn,” McCarville said. “in this are we find more people to learn about this versus the ones who know more and are looking for a place to interact with it.”

“they get messages they were looking for, but they also are around people that have life minded belief systems” Pat Kraft said.