Steampunk Festival returns to Blists Hill – with PICTURES and VIDEO
Thousands of steampunk fans from across the country travelled to Blists Hill Victorian Town for the second Steampunk Weekend Festival.
The Ironbridge Gorge Museums teamed up with the organisers of Asylum, the Lincoln Steampunk Festival, to bring the two-day event back to Blists Hill Victorian Town.
Throughout the weekend parts of the town turned into a fantasy world inspired by Jules Verne and HG Wells.
Steampunk is a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.
Blists Hill’s cottages and shops were open as usual, but the historic streets became home to well-dressed steampunk ‘Victorians’ sporting the latest in fantastical gadgets and accessories plus eclectic market stalls, exhibitions, talks and shows celebrating all things steampunk.
There was a living history encampment of Her Majesty's 3rd Foot and Mouth Regiment where visitors discovered more about soldiering in the late 19th century, they could also visit the recruiting office of the ‘Martian Expeditionary Force’ and the Hopeless Maine ‘Tourist Information Office’.
There was also a steampunk market, courtesy of specially selected artisan traders, selling jewellery and crafts.
Laura Matthews, events manager at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said that thousands of steampunk fans of all ages came to the event.
She said: "We've had bely dancers, an aerial dancer, singer, and activities such as tea duelling where people dunk biscuits in cups of tea and race to eat them the fastest.
"There's also been a fake bank robbery, lots of talks and lots of traders selling hand-made items and collectors art.
"It's a really good day for us, it's great because everyone gets dressed up, people get really into it some even bring their dogs dressed up because Blists Hill is really dog friendly.
"People came from all over the country, it's really open and engaging and allows people to be creative, and it's very sociable, people can chat and have a drink.
"We had people who were middle-aged but also children dressed up."
The Steampunk Weekend Festival ran on Saturday and Sunday and a special feature evening was held on Saturday evening for 150 guests.
