Newark Steampunk Festival took place in and around the market place on bank holiday weekend
Hundreds of Steampunks flocked in their finery to Newark this bank holiday weekend to showcase their imagination.
The Newark Steampunk Festival took place in the Market Place over the weekend with over 100 arts, crafts and food stalls, a fashion show, a gala ball held in Newark Town Hall and a Victorian picnic in the gardens of Newark Parish Church.
From industrial Victorian-inspired creations to fantasy with fairies, there was even a visit for the first time from Steampunk vehicles.
With a lively town centre, Newark was home to people from all over the country, some who had been doing steampunk for many years and others who decided to take the risk and give it a go for the first time.
Friends Claire Roberston, Michelle Howell and and Jeanette Oates from the Newark area, decided to dress up for their first steampunk event.
“It is an escapism,” said Claire.
She added: “We are loving it and it is something different to do, be someone else for a day and you can express yourself.
Jeanette said: “Everyone is accepted, there are so many different styles and it is great to see.”
People travelled from all around the country for the festival including Leeds, Camrbidge, Lincoln.
David Ashton brought his Victorian-style car for people to have their photos taken, he described this year’s festival as fantastic.
Felix Black, who owns a Steampunk modified Wolkeswagen said: “Steampunk is my hobby so I go to as many Steampunk events as I can do.
His friend Steve Kay said: “I have been to three Steampunk festivals in Newark, the original one when they were going have the asylum, then the Christmas one and the one after Christmas.
“It is a nice venue, really compact and when it spreads out to the Castle is alright.”
Sandra Purdy decided to take part in the steampunk festival as a stall holder for a first time after falling in love with the festival last year.
She said: “Wendy who I used to work with introduced me to steampunk a year ago here, and I loved it, absolutely loved it and I used to do a lot of crafting and got into the jewellery side as well.
“I just love it, the festival is brilliant and steampunk are absolutely lovely, so friendly. We discuss costumes and all sorts, everybody likes it everybody else, it is great.”
Sandra’s friend Wendy Matthews, who is also a stall holder said: “Me and my husband both do steampunk and when the market came up we thought it would be a great idea to buy a few steampunk things and cme along.
“We have been doing steampunk for about seven years now and the stall since last October, I am loving it.
“This is our second time, we came Christmas last and we love it, people are smashing so it is really good.”
Alison and Paul Bentley, of Ripley, Derbyshire said: “Steampunk is a fun event, very sociable, a lot of things to do and see.”
Steampunk for a number of years, Channel Harrington, dressed as a China-white with a blue and white pattern.
She said: “Channel Harrington said: “We have been steampunk for a number of years and we are from Lincoln, we enjoyed an amazing picnic in the church rounds.
“Lots of participants, loads of people here and lots of different ideas for next time.”
Couple Caron and Steve Kolo travelled all the way from Leeds for the Newark steampunk festival for a second year, they said the festival was excellent.
With a vibrant market and a lot of colours and creativity, the Newark steampunk was a success, without rain and with thousands of people making their way to the town centre.
