Southern Maine Steampunk Fair explores futuristic history

Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read
On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk will host its 9th annual Southern Maine Steampunk Fair.
On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk will host its 9th annual Southern Maine Steampunk Fair.

KENNEBUNK, MAINE – On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk will host its 9th annual Southern Maine Steampunk Fair from 12 to 4 p.m. The event will explore Steampunk (a unique blend of history and future), in lectures, music, vendors, and demonstrations. Steampunk crafts, costuming and artwork will be on display and for sale; history lectures, live music, fashion design presentations and a children’s book reading will round out the program of events. Entry to the museum’s exhibitions are all included in the Fair. The $5 ticket is a fundraiser for the Museum’s year-round programming.

Steampunk is a blend of history and future; a view of the world if Victorian aesthetics and steam power existed in modern day. Novels like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or Sherlock Holmes featured the Steampunk theme.

During the Fair, visitors will hear scheduled lectures by Professor Lacey Sparks of USM on the meaning and significance of steampunk; and special guest author Leanna Renee Hieber, of New York City, who has authored several steampunk books and recently released Invisible Women: True Stories of America’s Ghosts. Interested vendors and speakers are invited to apply to participate through Sept. 15, via brickstoremuseum.org.

Live music will be performed by King Memphis, a New Orleans-style jazz band. In between, the silent film “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1916) will be shown. Throughout the day, vendors of steampunk-themed works, a costume contest and imaginative technology will be on display, and family-friendly activity stations offer creative stops along the way. This is the most unique event in Southern Maine. The full schedule can be found on the Museum’s website, www.brickstoremuseum.org. This event is sponsored by Kennebunk Savings Bank, Sharper Events & Tents and Char Wrigs Fried Dough. Tickets may be purchased in advance on www.brickstoremuseum.org or at the door.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Southern Maine Steampunk Fair explores futuristic history