Tall Tales and Tattoos program set Oct. 30 at Zwaanendael Lewes

Halloween weekend revelers will have an opportunity to experience the program Tall Tales and Tattoos, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Zwaanendael Museum, at 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 302-645-1148.

The program will feature Andrew “Spider” Miller, who will spin tall tales and share his collection of “gaffs” - bizarre make-believe creatures that have been hand-crafted by skilled artisans. They are similar in style to the 19th century oddities known as Fiji Mermen which often featured animal heads crafted onto the bodies of fish.

Such creations were conceived as pranks or side show curiosities at a time when sea captains were returning from the newly opened ports of East Asia with tall tales of exotic, never-before-seen creatures. An example is the Zwaanendael Merman which can be seen at the museum in conjunction with Miller’s presentation.

The program will also feature tattoo artist Peggi Hurley of Ancient Art Tattoo studio in Lewes, who will discuss the art and history of tattoos.

Hurley, a native of Rehoboth Beach, was named the 1986 National Tattoo Association’s Best Tattooed Woman. She studied the art of tattooing with Don Nolan, Gill Montie and Bill Hannong, among others, and has operated a tattoo studio in Delaware since 1994.