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Society runs out of steam for annual festival But other Steampunk Society are planned | January 16, 2018 By PATRICK ADRIAN padrian@eagletimes.com SPRNGFIELD – Despite the recent cancellation of the 2018 Springfield Steampunk festival, organizers say there is no cause for alarm. Robyn Priebe, president of the Steampunk Society of Vermont (SSV), says the society will have “other events” this year in lieu of its fourth festival. The society announced Thursday that, instead of putting on a 2018 festival, it will focus on smaller events that will grow community exposure, and increase its volunteer base, making next year’s festival planning more manageable. To briefly explain “Steampunk,” imagine a steam train of 19th century Victorians, or Wild West travelers, crashing into a futuristic monorail carrying science fiction writers and early model cyborgs. In real-world appearance, think of Steampunk enthusiasts in the same light as a Renaissance Fair, but an original fusion of past and modern. Participants dress in Victorian garb and creatively embrace aesthetics and technology inspired from the steam-powered industrial age. Despite the festival’s promising growth in popularity in three years, Priebe says trying to operate an annual festival for a board comprised of two or three volunteers is both taxing and consumes time away from the SSV’s broader aim. “The Steampunk Society of Vermont board of directors is a small group of three people,” Priebe wrote on Facebook, “We have been doubling as festival coordinators and department managers for the last three years and it’s an amazing amount of work. Those of us who run the festival volunteer our time to do so and work full-time jobs outside of this endeavor.” With one board member having begun a job, and the other with an infant, Priebe sees this as a perfect year to step back and refocus on a broader mission. “Our goal is to bring the festival back for the year 2019, allowing time to find a qualified festival coordinator who has the time and energy to dedicate to this volunteer role,” Priebe said. While the festival has become the SSV’s hallmark event, the society’s mission is to aid Springfield’s revitalization through Steampunk-themed events and artistic outlets. In making Springfield into “the Steampunk Capital of Vermont,” the society wants to expand tourism and economic development, while drawing attention to Springfield’s rich industrial history. When Sabrina Smith began the Steampunk Society in 2015, she put on the festival the first year, which Priebe says was very draining. After coordinating the first two festivals, Smith retired from the board, handing the presidency to Priebe, whose full-time job is as a clinical dietitian at Springfield Hospital. Her fellow board members are Kimberly Ploude and Daniel Moran. Smith remains active in the group as its website designer and manager. “I probably wouldn’t have started the festival in the first year,” Priebe says, adding that strengthening the group’s recognition in the community, and its members, will make the future festivals a smoother operation. For smaller events this year, Priebe says, “We have irons in the fire to partner with The Precision Museum, Sheri’s Place, Dark Mountain Games, Springfield High School, Hartness House, Tree Farm Campgrounds, and the local Makerspaces in our area.” Smaller events will also appeal to parents as an affordable, accessible way to discover what Steampunk is all about. Priebe recalls a small pushback from the community when the first Steampunk festival was proposed, due to its newness and unfamiliarity. By the festival’s third year, however, people formed a better understanding. The first festival had an attendance of 500; last year’s exceeded 600 in ticket sales. “We are really looking forward to a lower stress and hopefully super fun year of local Steampunk events,” Priebe says.
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