The Circus comes to Springfield

On September 23 and 24, the Hartness House Inn will come alive with a Steampunk Circus Spectacular! The 3rd annual Springfield Steampunk Festival has a very different theme compared to the first two festivals, with a huge focus this year on circus and carnival type events.

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The Circus comes to Springfield! August 14, 2017 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – On September 23 and 24, the Hartness House Inn will come alive with a Steampunk Circus Spectacular! The 3rd annual Springfield Steampunk Festival has a very different theme compared to the first two festivals, with a huge focus this year on circus and carnival type events. This year the festival will feature Karnevil, a circus side show act. Karnevil was founded by Dr. J.R. Whitcomb in 2011. They have been featured in both Weird NJ magazine and The Star Ledger, Karnevil is considered to be New Jersey’s premiere carnival sideshow experience as well as being touted globally as “The world’s most dangerous sideshow!” Whether bringing you death defying escapes, astounding acts of skill, classic sideshow fare, ridiculous games, or informative presentations on macabre Victorian subject matter, the Karnevil crew delivers above and beyond any mortal expectations! The festival will feature a freak show, bullwhip stunt show, and Houdini escape act and so much more. steampunk NECCA will be performing at the Springfield Steampunk Festival. Photo provided New England Center for the Circus Arts (NECCA) will have a presence at this year’s event as well. NECCA students from the youth troupe and professional program will be performing throughout the weekend at the Springfield Steampunk Festival. NECCA performances may include juggling, acrobatics, contortion, stilt walking, partner acrobatics, clowns, unicycle acts and the like. NECCA representatives will also be available to provide information about their non-profit organization. The children’s program of the Springfield VT Steampunk Festival will also be circus themed this year with traditional carnival-themed games. This year’s fashion show, the Calliope Steam Fashion show will have a special circus focus. Any attendees can walk in the fashion show, regardless of the theme of their steampunk costumes. Those with a circus theme will be highlighted and children are encouraged to walk in the fashion show as well. Each year the creativity of festival goers is highlighted in this entertaining event. Beyond the circus theme, the festival many other events and activities including the headlining musical act Rasputina. Rasputina is a cello-based rock band who has performed or recorded with the likes of Marilyn Manson, Porno For Pyros, Cheap Trick, and the Goo Goo Dolls among others. Rasputina’s style has a Victorian flavor to it, making them a perfect fit for a steampunk event. Many other musical acts will be scheduled throughout the weekend-long events, including The Long Losts and The King’s Busketeers. Expect traditional steampunk elements such as teapot races, absinthe tasting workshops, steampunk workshops and presentations, tea dueling, underground tunnel and telescope museum tours. The festival will also feature numerous vendors, a photo booth, weekend long gaming by Dark Mountain Games, Light Saber Combat workshops, and much more. This festival is a non-profit/volunteer-run fundraiser and proceeds will be used to create scholarships for Springfield VT students studying the STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) post high school graduation. To learn more about this non-profit-run festival, to buy tickets, to volunteer, to vend, or to become a sponsor, visit www.springfieldvtsteampunkfest.com.