Grab your teapots, jump into your airship and head to the Springfield Steampunk Festival Sept 23

Second annual festival promises full-blown Steampunk. Benefits Springfield Humane Society with over 50 events spanning 2 ½ days, 75 volunteers, 40 vendors, 22 sponsors, 8 hot bands, 13 presenters, 12 honorary chairpersons.

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Grab your teapots, jump into your airship and head to the Springfield Steampunk Festival Sept 23 Second annual festival promises full-blown Steampunk Benefits Springfield Humane Society with over 50 events spanning 2 ½ days, 75 volunteers, 40 vendors, 22 sponsors, 8 hot bands, 13 presenters, 12 honorary chairpersons. Springfield, Vermont is calling all Steampunk aficionados and those curious to participate in the Second Annual Springfield Steampunk Festival. Presented by the Steampunk Society of Vermont and the Hartness House Inn, the festival is slated for September 23, 24, 25 in Springfield, VT. Proceeds benefit the Springfield Humane Society. It’s also been designated as an official Vermont Arts 2016 event. For those not in the know, Steampunk— a sort of sci-fi reverie of steam-powered Victoriana or Jules Verne rocketed into the 21st century on a Metal Moose (think Lemony Snicket) — is right at home in this Valley of Gears. The Steampunk Society hopes to put Springfield back on the map as a place where imagination happens and gears still turn. “I think we are on the brink of new true beginnings while standing firmly on the base of our industrial-innovating- inventor history,” said Sabrina Smith, the festival coordinator. “Springfield and the Precision Valley are ‘famous’ for their gear shaper, tool, spindle and grinder factories. The turret telescope was invented here as well as the clothespin, jointed dolls, toy carts, and guitar and violin cases, among many other inventions. That’s why we are turning Springfield into the Steampunk Capital of Vermont,” she says. A key link to Springfield’s Victoriana past and inventor history is the Festival’s presenting partner and main venue for the festival, the Hartness House Inn, an elegant Victorian turn-of- the-century mansion turned Inn that will be the perfect setting for Steampunk fantasy. Built by James Hartness former Governor of Vermont (1921-23) it features its own museum; astronomy observatory and antique telescope with a unique equatorial drive system. More unusual is the secret tunnel system built by Hartness to access the observatory, museum and his secret workshop. Springfield Steampunk festivalgoers and guests of the Inn will have an opportunity to tour the secret tunnel, view the private workshop of Mr. Hartness, and see the observatory and telescope. Stellafane club members, a group of amateur telescope makers, will provide a limited number of guided tours during the festival. In addition, the 3-day festival promises fantasy, reinvention, and a chance to dress up, wear funny hats and goggles and play with gears. It features live bands, panel discussions, workshops, Splendid Teapot racing, Tea Dueling, etc. Vendors from all over the country will be selling everything Steampunk and more. There will be children’s activities and games, talks on astronomy, and design. The majority of the events are family-friendly with the exception of the burlesque show and the absinthe tasting with returning expert S. B. MacDonald. Additional volunteers are needed and those interested can register at the website www.springfieldvtsteampunkfest.com/volunteerapp.html (link is external). Volunteers will be assigned a four-hour shift and get in free. Tickets and full schedule: www.springfieldvtsteampunkfest.com (link is external). Proceeds benefit the Springfield Humane Society. All events will occur at the Hartness House Inn, 30 Orchard Street. See website for parking areas. Shuttle buses will be running regularly. Date: Friday, September 23, 2016 - 9:00am