Steampunk Tauranga's Ann Dugmore (The Hon Mrs Minerva Cholmondely-Smythe) and Lindsey Morgan (Lady Hannah Dashery-Buckle) prepare for a weekend of teapot races and top hat making.
If you have noticed the ever-increasing steampunk movement gaining traction and wanted in, this is the weekend for you.
Steampunk Tauranga is hosting one of the subgenre's most favoured antics - teapot racing - together with a steampunk top hat making workshop to help people completely immerse themselves in all things steampunk.
Steampunk society incorporates science fantasy and aesthetic designs inspired by the age of steam-powered machinery.
The theme of steampunk includes flamboyant outfits inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery - including appropriate hats.
And come Sunday, Tauranga's Historic Village will transform into steampunk heaven with teapot racing and making steampunk hats.
Steampunk Tauranga's Ann Dugmore (The Hon Mrs Minerva Cholmondely-Smythe) and Lindsey Morgan (Lady Hannah Dashery-Buckle) prepare for a weekend of hijinks. Photo/John Borren
Steampunk Tauranga's Lindsey Morgan, also known as Lady Hannah Dashery-Buckle, said they were keen to introduce people to the fun and sheer shenanigans of teapot racing.
The trials involve steampunked teapots (attached to remote-controlled cars and embellished with themed trinkets and trimmings) racing around an obstacle course.
"People ask: 'Why do you do such strange hijinks?' Because it's fun," Morgan said.
Morgan said interest in teapot racing was growing and she felt this was because it appealed to a wide range of people.
"You have kids, young at heart, able and disabled people. It's something everyone can have fun with," she said.
Steampunk teapot Miss Muffet. Photo/John Borren
"People dress up, enjoy life and get involved. It can be a little bit mad but if you take it too seriously, maybe it's not for you."
The chance to create a steampunk top hat will be on offer following the races, with a workshop.
"A hat can be all it takes," says steampunk enthusiast Ann Dugmore, who is also part of Steampunk Tauranga.
Dugmore is holding the top hat making workshop "to get people involved".
"They see all these wonderful costumes but may not have the know-how to create them, or they may not be able to afford them ... but it's easy to make a fun hat and you can feel part of the fun with a hat," she said.
Dugmore said the hat, trimmings and everything else was included in the workshop price of $50.
Steampunk teapot Admiral T. Photo/John Borren
The Incubator is also calling for submissions for a Steampunk Exhibition to be held next month as part of Steamtember - a September celebration of all things steampunk.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun and while dressing up is encouraged, it is not a must.
Create a Steampunk Top Hat will be held at 1.30pm at The Artery at The Incubator. Tauranga Steampunk Teapot Racing trials will be at 10am to 12pm at The Incubator.
More information is available at the event Facebook pages or via The Incubator.
