Steampunk will make its way to Tasmania for the first time in June when George Town hosts the state’s inaugural Steampunk Festival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The June 25 event is the latest in a smorgasboard of winter events on offer to Tasmanians this year, bookending itself between the end of Dark Mofo on June 21 and Hawthorn’s Aurora Stadium clash with Gold Coast on June 26.
Tasked with creating a winter festival embracing George Town’s industrial roots and rich history, a team of community members agreed to undertake the festival in early 2015.
Steampunk festival chairwoman Anne Cameron said the event committee was excited by the prospect of bringing the genre to Tasmania for the first time.
“There's a big worldwide movement and it's very strong in the UK and America and there's quite a strong following in New Zealand - they've gone all out; they've got playgrounds in steampunk,” Ms Cameron said.
“It's a genre that takes the Victorian era and says rightio, that was a very structured, conservative, stratified sort of time, let’s play with that and have fun with that.”
The main festival will occur between 11am and 4pm before festivities move to the George Town Memorial Hall for a 7pm gala ball.
Ms Cameron encouraged festival goers to go all out on a costume for the event.
“Some of the key icons are goggles and top hats and corsets, but then you just take that anywhere, you can take it as far into the future as you like.
“We'll have things like tea duelling and teapot racing and a mad hatter's tea party for children, and then there's a lot of live entertainment like live music, circus performers who will move around, and we're going to have a steam engine ride available.”
Entry to the festival is $10 per person, while tickets to the gala ball are $120 a head including a three course meal and live entertainment.
Anyone interested in getting involved in the event is encouraged to contact Lee-Ann Patterson or email steampunktas@gmail.com
Ms Cameron thanked Events Tasmania, Doc Signs and King Thing marketing for their contributions to the festival.