Kinky is commonplace at annual fetish convention

Fred Nolan has a fetish for being cupped.

And not the alternative pain therapy cupping - popularized by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow - where suction is created in a cup and applied to the skin.

We're talking fire cupped. Vacuum cupped. Nolan likes the feeling, and the sting, of it - and the marks it leaves on his body.

He and his wife, Nikki, are among the nearly 5,000 attendees at the ninth annual Fetish Con fetish tradeshow at the Hyatt Regency Tampa downtown through Sunday.

"This is our drugs without taking any," said Nolan, a dental hygienist from Phoenix who is also a cupping educator for Ember Productions. "Everyone has a fetish for something."

Whips, rope, latex, furry animal costumes, toothbrushes. Name it and there's a fetish for it.

Comics artist George Perez was walking the aisles taking in the sights. Perez, known for his superhero illustrations including the current Wonder Woman comic, Teen Titans and the X-Men, attended Fetish Con for the superhero catfights.

His first Fetish Con was in 2006, where he was more surprised by the number of people who knew him than what was at the fetish booths.

"Suddenly, I was a celebrity," said Perez, who lives in Sanford with his wife of 28 years. "I'm a big Fetish Con fan. It's wonderful to meet these free-spirited people. Everyone here is accepted for whatever their kinky bend is."

The event features models, producers, fans and exhibitors showcasing their wares and providing demonstrations. A day-pass cost $25 or $55 to attend for the entire weekend. After incidentals, organizers stand to make around $45,000.

"The draw is meeting the other people who come to this, they're really cool," said event organizer Mike Taylor of Seminole. "We get everyone. Lawyers, doctors, moms, dads. It's about the fantasy."

Off-site, convention parties get heated at Ybor City hot spots, the Castle and Crowbar. There is also a private "Dungeon" play space for attendees to role play and try out their accessories.

Back at the Hyatt, Ponygirl Lyndsey, donning a black leotard and saddle, carried fetish model Maxine X, a k a Leah Leckie, across the exhibit hall while on his hands and knees with Ponygroom and partner, Tim, in tow.

"I think the tail twitch is sexy," said Tim of Deland, who would not give his last name. "We're here to entertain people, it's a fun thing."

Folks with fetishes often get a bad rep, said fetish model and danger artist Tonya Kay.

"Everyone here is welcoming. It's not a dark scary place to run from," said Kay, who appeared on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" in July to demonstrate throwing knives. "As a woman, I walk away feeling beautiful. No one is being exploited and everyone is having fun."

Fetish Con ends its run Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You must be 18 or older to visit the site or attend the convention.