‘You don’t have to be a steampunker to enjoy’ returning festival
THE first proper Steampunk Festival since the Covid pandemic will focus on fun for everyone.
Oamaru’s Steampunk Festival will be held on King’s Birthday weekend, June 2 to 5.
Steampunk New Zealand Trust trustee Carolyn Lewis said a lot of effort had gone into ensuring activities for a broad range of tastes.
‘‘There’s lots for locals to do in the long weekend . . . and you don’t have to be a steampunker to enjoy it,’’ Ms Lewis said.
It would be the first ‘‘real’’ steampunk festival since the global pandemic, she said.
‘‘It’s just a chance for people to have a lot of fun.
‘‘This year especially, we’ve made sure there’s things for kids.’’
Activities include Pedalmania, House of Bricks, teapot racing and the grand parade.
Pedalmania is a collection of strange pedalpowered contraptions, available to ride by donation.
House of Bricks is a free event encouraging people of all ages to get creative with Lego bricks.
People will be able to try their hand at teapot racing on a mini obstacle course.
Organisers hoped local youth would get involved in the sport.
This year’s steampunk festival theme is ‘‘transported’’.
In keeping with the theme, the grand parade will include steampunk vehicles.
Ms Lewis was excited to welcome back the steampunk parade after a fouryear hiatus.
She wanted to encourage locals to attend the ‘‘enhanced’’ parade.
‘‘It’s going to be a big parade this year,’’ she said.
The grand opening ceremony will begin at 5.30pm on Friday, June 2, and includes a steampunk ‘‘street night’’ with fog, lights and music replicating a foggy Victorian town.
Popup musicians will play in Harbour St, filling the street with a variety of music.