Dressing up just half the hullabaloo
Deborah Brookes likes to get dressed up, and together with Sharron Page-Moreton, she has created a new event for others to join her.
The pair have organised a steampunkthemed family day out called Humbugs and Hullabaloo to be held at Fairfield House and Gardens on Sunday. Steampunk is a genre of science fiction which harks back to the Victorian era, imagining a vintage-style world powered by clockwork and steam technology.
‘‘It’s fantasy, it’s a bit of escapism,’’ Deborah said. ‘‘It’s about getting dressed up in lots of lovely clothes and having fun.’’
As well as a fancy dress competition, the day out will feature Victorian sideshows such as a coconut shy. Body in Space will be performing, as well as Morris, Irish and Highland dancers, and live music will be played by the Flightless Birds of New Zealand and others. There will even be a clairvoyant.
Deborah and Sharron were proud of ‘‘Leonard’’ the vintage bus, which will provide a park and ride service leaving from outside the YHA on Rutherford St from 9.45am. A return ticket costs $2 for adults and is free for under-12s.
Making the event accessible for children had been important, Deborah said. She said she wanted the day to have a strong community feel, as it would help to fundraise for a number of organisations including Fifeshire House and Coastguard which were voluntarily helping out. ‘‘It’s time to stop and dawdle, take in a scene and just relax.’’
The pair said they had been inspired by the success of Oamaru’s annual steampunk festival, and wanted to put Nelson on the map as well.
Deborah Brookes, left, Dave Brookes and Sharron Page-Moreton are organising the Humbugs and Hullabaloo Victorian Extravaganza at Fairfield House on Sunday from 10am-4pm