ENCHANTING DOWNTOWN
Annual steampunk fest returns to Collar City
TROY, N. Y. » Troy’s annual steampunk festival is back this weekend and expected to draw thousands to The Enchanted City.
The fourth annual Enchanted City festival, titled The Enchanted City IV, Deus Ex Machina - A Steampunk Fair, is scheduled for 11 a. m. to 5 p. m. on Saturday, in a new location at Riverfront Park in downtown Troy.
Since its inception in 2014, the festival has grown each year, particularly around the steampunk theme. Although definitions vary slightly, steampunk is a genre of science fiction/ fantasy that takes place in an alternative 1800s setting in which modern technology like robotics and air travel are powered by Victorian style and sensibilities. It is an alternative “futuristic past.”
With this unique style overarching across all festivities, the local event is a free festival of steampunk fashion, fantasy and fabrications that offers a familyfriendly inspired day of music, games, performance and food.
The festival will open with a parade of Mad Machinery at 11 a. m. into River front Park, featuring mascot Queen Mab, as well as both professional and amatuer steampunk vehicles competing in this year’s Inventors’ Challenge.
Special attractions to follow include all- day street performers and peddlers, storytelling, dancing, puppet shows, interactive theater, magic acts and a costume contest.
Adults and children are encouraged to come dressed in steampunk clothing, or as fairies, to take part in the spectacle that aims to magically transform the waterfront park in historic downtown Troy into a cosplay alternative reality where Victorian fancy meets modern technology.
With the new setting, organizers have added a floating steampunk pirate party on the Hudson River. “The Enchanted City is making the most of our Hudson River setting this year with the addition of a steampunk pirate riverboat and steam- powered set pieces at our Riverfront Park,” said Enchanted City creator Susan Dunckel in a press release. “Dutch Apple Cruises will supply a floating bar, stage and facilities throughout the day and then will set sail with us in the evening for our festival after party.”
The popular sold- out afterparty will take place on the Dutchess of Empires, an enchanted version of the Dutch Apple II riverboat. Concert- goers will sail away with burlesque dancers to the sounds of headlining musical act Shayfer James.
This year’s distinguished Enchanted City guests include Jeff Mach, founder of Jeff Mach Events, which runs the world’s largest Steampunk event, The Steampunk World’s Fair, and steampunk artist Joey Marsocci a. k. a. Dr. Grymm of Grymm Studios. Both will serve as judges in the Inventors’ Challenge.
These two men, along with other inventors and steampunk enthusiasts, will speak with attendees in the new Enchanted City Talk Tent, which will have different discussion sessions throughout the day.
“Somany people askme ‘ What is steampunk all about?’ So this year I’m bringing in the professionals to answer that question,” Dunkel said in the release. “People are really fascinated by this world. They’re curious and they really want to learn as much as they can.”
For the little ones, a special festival section called Wee World will feature Seano Circus Theatricks and interactive games.
Local business R/ C Kinetics will run a Splendid Teapot Racing course, and nearby there will be tea dueling, an intense cookie dunking competition, where the biscuit that lasts the longest without crumbling is the winner. “It’s silly, but steampunk is completely silly,” Dunckel said. “It’s so silly, but it’s so fun.”
Back for it’s second year will be another contest, the Trial by Combat culinary challenge, featuring local chefs competing to make the best dishes with Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market ingredients, in a contest judged by Yelp reviewers.
Festival- goers can experience some hands- on discovery at the Troy Mini Maker Faire, where make of all kinds will demonstrate what they do. “That’s all interactive,” Dunckel said. “Each of them will have an interactive component to what they’re doing.” Exhibitors will include inventors, scientists, artists, craftspeople, educators, tinkerers, young inventors, museums, schools, libraries, and local science and tech companies.
All Enchanted City entertainment and activities are free. A $ 5 suggested donation can be given at the festival gates.
More information about The Enchanted City is available online at www.enchantedtroy.com.