The S.T.E.A.M. Festival
- Bringing S.T.E.A.M. to the real world.
An Interactive and Immersive Festival Celebrating the Power of S.T.E.A.M.
Mission Statement
To demonstrate the real world application of S.T.E.A.M. in a fun and engaging festival atmosphere as seen through the imaginative eyes of Time Travelers, Tinkerers and Steampunks.
Introduction
S.T.E.A.M. is an Educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math as access points for guiding students inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking. S.T.E.A.M. has been brought to the forefront of schools curriculum in recent years. S.T.E.A.M. is a movement championed by Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and widely adopted by educational institutions, corporations and individuals.
The S.T.E.A.M. festival is here to make learning fun with Steampunk themed workshops, games, vendors and entertainment; united through the power of imagination and shaped with the aesthetic of Time Travelers, Tinkerers and Steampunks. It’s the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo Da Vinci played out exclusively at old train towns and museums across the western United States. Steampunk is a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology. A perfect fit for the existing train museums that feature Steam engines and other extinct technology.
Calendar
“The S.T.E.A.M. Festival” is a 3 day immersive festival celebrating Steam Power and S.T.E.A.M. with a Steampunk theme. Science fiction and Science come together for one day of educational activities and 2 days of Entertainment, Vendors, Workshops and Panels. Day one, Friday, is for schools only and featuring workshops, educational activities and a short entertainment preview. Students will be given discount tickets to bring their families back over the weekend. Gates open Saturday at 10AM and will have Music, Magic, Workshops and Panels scheduled throughout the day.
Overview
When the train comes to town it brings with it all sorts of colorful entertainers, contraptions & crazy spectacles to behold. The festival is one part science fair and one part traveling circus, “The S.T.E.A.M. Festival” sets up a world which coexists in the old Train and Steam museums that dot the west coast. There are activities and adventures at every turn. A stage is brought in for the musical entertainment. A curated ensemble of Steampunk music create a festive atmosphere that will be live broadcast online and via HAM an AM radio signals by Steampunk Podcast professionals “Dreadfully Punk”. There will also be a vendor alley where patrons can grab their own goggles, top hat or any number of goodies and gadgets from over 20 unique vendors. “Think Stations” get set up around the facility to showcase extinct technology and allow interactive experiences to unfold as kids and parents alike explore yesterday's technological innovations. Steam Machines will run at the Steam Engine and Machine display, interactive Steampunk guilds will be providing improvised entertainment, a scavenger hunt will send children to all corners of the museum to learn interesting S.T.E.A.M. facts as they complete their quest, and of course the museum will showcase their splendid Steam powered equipment. To make the experiences shareable across social platforms “Instagram Spots”, reminiscent of “Kodak Spots”, guide families where the best photo opportunities at the event are located. These spots will also have #hashtags to enter various social media contests ongoing at the event creating more social media awareness. While all this fantastic fun is unfolding, there will be educational panels about items of historical significance like Antique Cameras, Antique Musical Instruments like the Theremin, Improvisation workshops, Junk build-offs, Live Action Roleplaying (LARP) games and more fun workshops and exhibitions unique to each region that “The S.T.E.A.M. Festival” rolls into.
To recap, here are some of the activities of what the event will showcase:
Attractions
- Steam Machines
- Improvised Steampunk themed open air theatre
- Think Stations
- Workshops
- Junk build challenges
- Steampunk Radio/Podcast transmission by Dreadfully Punk
- Steampunk Vendors
- Steampunk Themed Magic show
- Old Fashioned Food
- Scavenger Hunt
- Live Steampunk Music
- Live Action Roleplaying
- Tintype Photography
- Hand Crafted Drinks and Food
Exhibitors
Exhibitors will be showcasing working or replica Steam powered machines. The science of operating Steam engines will be demonstrated during the first half of the day, while maintenance and repairs will be demonstrated throughout the second half of the day. Exhibitors are TBD.
Entertainment & Education
In addition to the entertaining weekend of Steampunk sideshows, Friday kicks off the event with local school field trips organized. A morning and an afternoon activity session will be offered to local school districts where students will get a preview of the activities and exhibitions and will be enticed to bring their families back with discount coupons. S.T.E.A.M. curriculum from the invited schools will be intertwined the field trips, showcasing Technology of the museum and the Art of the Vendors as well as a short show from one of the musical performers. The field trip will include an interactive workshop designed to enhance the S.T.E.A.M. lesson with machines unique to each venue.
Entertainers
Poplock Holmes is your host and the Master of Ceremonies at “The S.T.E.A.M. Festival”; with his witty banter and engaging demeanor, attendees are engaged throughout their experience. The musical acts are curated based on their unique and mesmerizing talent. The 2017 lineup consists of the musical acts Strange Indeed, Frytown Tough’s, and Poplock Holmes along with Medicine man Dr. Solar.
- Poplock Holmes - Chap Hop artist and Master of Ceremonies. Poplock Holmes raps about hunting Yeti, Drinking Tea fighting crypto-creatures and dropping scientific facts like the Hundredth Monkey theory.
- Strange Indeed - All that sound from two people!??" Projecting larger-than-life musical entertainment through soulful vocal harmonies, banjo, resophonic guitar, harmonica and foot percussions.
- Frytown Tough’s - The Frytown Toughs were born out of Doc Holiday’s musical saloon show in Tombstone, Arizona. Their specialties: Piano! Singing! Music! Mayhem! And plenty of shenanigans.
- Dr. Solar - Steampunk Medicine Man show; Magic, Puppetry and oddities abound on the only Solar powered Gypsy caravan stage.
Panels and Workshops
- Antique Camera Workshop. See where the selfie all started from!
- Instruments of yesteryear. With a hands on interactive Theremin workshop.
- Acting 101: Improvisation workshop
- Steam machines: How they work
- How the Cell phone began. Morse code to Cell phone communication and a text vs. morse code contest
Costume Contest
Everyone is welcome to grace the main stage and showcase their costume and the character they have created at the costume contest. Prizes will be provided by our vendors and artisans and judged by the audience.
Vendors
The Vendors that we have hand selected are the very best that California has to offer. Hand made goods, antique treasures and hand crafted clothing are available for purchase or perusing. Examples of our Vendors include.
- The Brass Wardrobe
- Gears & Roebuck
- Steamy Tech
- The Bearded Potter
- The TinType Experience
- Steamer Surprises
- Hearts Delight
- Kansas Mercantile
- Tandy Leather
- Wyngd Lyon
- Wunderkammer
- The Rational Past
- Mutante Leathers
- Sunpro Solar
- Gear Oils
- Butterfly Frillies
- Many more
Steampunk Guilds
To complete the immersive experience of “The S.T.E.A.M. Festival”, we have sought out interactive guilds to help exercise creative muscles and stimulate the imagination. These groups will conduct improvised theatre in the round and other feats of entertainment.
- The Atlantean Foundation - The Atlantean Foundation is a not-so-secret society composed of Scholars, Explorers, Scientists, and other adventurous types. While the primary goal of the Foundation as stated in their charter is the “location and rediscovery of the knowledge and wonders of the fabled lost city of Atlantis”; they are in fact an eclectic and far reaching organization who travels the globe in search of all manner of unexplained mysteries and daring adventures.
- More guilds TBD
Think Stations and Shareable Experiences
Think Stations are interactive displays that will be set up in multiple locations throughout the event. They will be set up on site with extinct technology provided by the venue or already on display at the museum. Facts and information will be dependent on the display. Some of these stations will impart Engineering knowledge to the festival goers while some will have Mathematic facts taught through gear mechanics such as gear reduction and gear ratios. Each one will feature a clue for the Steampunk scavenger hunt that everyone is invited to participate in as well.
Summary
The benefits of bringing “The S.T.E.A.M. Festival” are numerous. Revenue share from ticket sales, Gift shop traffic increase, new Memberships and monetary donations in addition to the visibility and awareness the festival brings to the Train museum. It is an exciting and memorable way to bring new audiences and rekindle new enthusiasm for the venue. This curated event is the best way to bring a completely new awareness and appreciation for the history of America that your venue is a part of. Book “The S.T.E.A.M. Festival” and get on the S.T.E.A.M. train!
