A two-day festival in Haworth celebrating the increasingly popular Steampunk movement could attract hundreds of aficionados from across the country.
Scheduled to take place in November, the event would be the first of its kind in the district, and organisers hope it eventually becomes as successful as a similar gathering in Whitby.
Plans are still in the early stages, but organisers are eager to speak to Steampunk groups to get an idea of how to make a festival that will become an annual pilgrimage for them.
The Steampunk movement is based around the idea of science fiction set in the past, specifically the Victorian era – a world that incorporates steam power and other Victorian technology, rather than electricity and computers.
Common sights in the community include industrial goggles, corsets, top hats and antiquated military weaponry.
Haworth, Bradford and Saltaire are already popular with Steampunkers, but the organisers of the village Christmas festivities felt a new festival could add something a bit different to the village calendar.
Nikki Carroll, who runs Firths Boutique, said: “I went to the one in Whitby recently, and it is such a phenomenal success there.
“Haworth really lends itself to that whole Victorian aesthetic. It is a historic village, and we have the Worth Valley Railway.”
She believes that as well as providing activities for steampunks, their unique appearance would make the weekend a huge attraction for those from outside the steampunk community.
She added: “The outfits are exquisite, so much time money and effort goes into them. They would look so good wandering down our main street. We’ve got the old buildings and the steam railway – Haworth is the perfect surrounding to do something like this. It’s different from what it’s seen before, something exciting and different, but it still complements the normal Victorian Christmas celebrations.
“Now it is just a case of getting people together. We’re happy to work with anyone who wants to get involved.”
A date of November 23 and 24 has been set for the festival – the weekend after the village’s Victorian Christmas Market.
Mike Hutchinson, who runs Ye Sleeping House as well as organising Christmas events, said: “It will add a new dimension and bring new people to Haworth. The more people we can get here dressed up in the Steampunk gear, the better the atmosphere will be.”
Mrs Carroll thinks that if the first festival proves a success then Haworth could tap into the movement’s growing popularity: “It is a bit like a cross between Phileas Fogg, the wild west and Vivienne Westwood. It’s just amazing.”
Anyone wanting to get involved can contact Mrs Carroll at firthsboutique@live.co.uk.
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