The countdown is on to next month’s George Town Steampunk Festival.
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The crew of the Airship Ponrabble Boilertrumpet is back again after meeting members of the community at last year’s event.
Festival Organising Committee’s spokeswoman, Lee-Ann Patterson, promised an even bigger spectacle this time round.
“This year’s event will be amazing,” she said.
“The airship struck further navigational and mechanical errors when leaving the realm, so we’re inviting everyone to join us for another fantastic celebration of steampunk.”
First introduced more than 30 years ago, steampunk brings together elements of science fiction, arts and culture with a specific focus on industrial machinery.
Fans of the genre are encouraged to create their own personas, which extends to what profession they hold, and their attire.
Activities at the George Town festival will include the Utility Kinetic Insect, which recently appeared at Melbourne’s White Night.
The fully illuminated huge mechanical mother insectoid carries a DJ, and is designed to move and respond to crowds.
The festival will also feature a screening of Australian steampunk film Maurice’s Symphony, which tells the story of a deaf musician against a steampunk backdrop.
Ms Patterson said the festival had retained crowd favourites from last year.
“There will be a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, teapot racing, tea duelling, parasol duelling, cog tossing, live music, puppets, penny farthings and much more, she said.
“At 2.30pm, the grand fashion parade will be judged and everybody is welcome to enter, with prizes for best lady, best gentleman and best young person in steampunk gear.
The festival gates open at 11am, with the night sailing of dancing to UKI’s DJ commencing at 5.30pm.
- The festival takes place at the Old Skellerup Building on the corner of Mt George Road and the East Tamar Highway George Town. It will be held on Saturday, August 18.Details at www.steampunktasmaia.com