Steampunk Worlds Fair, 2017

Steampunk Worlds Fair, 2017

What is Steampunk? 
Google offers this definition:

1. a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology.

   • a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction.

     "the essence of steampunk is homage to vintage fashion with a modern, sassy twist"

Why do we go? 
         It's fun seeing the creativity of the costumes and devices.

We in our costumes.  In front of a Dr. Who Victorian Themed Police box.

And a Victorian themed Dalek. 

A Stilt Walker.

Costumes often have many accessories.  Common items are antique weapons, parasols, wings and science gear.

The man on the left has a wings that expand to about 7feet.  Two the right is a hat that is also a fully functioning weather station.  He is predicting rain, so his wife has an umbrella. 

Great costumes.  His vest is all gears, his pants keys.  The hat is a temperature gauge, barometer, and a solution that forms crystals when the weather is about to get nasty.  Her outfit is accessorized with a multitude of gears and keys.

No age limit here.

R2-D2 and friend.

An accessorized roadster.

Every car ad needs a beautiful girl.

Inspiration is found everywhere.  Ursula from "The Little Mermaid"?

Then a band walks through.

Most wings are deployed with hand pulls.  This one is totally automated.

Iron Man

A Vulcan

I am not sure who this is.  My first thought was Goldar from Power Ranges, but now I am not so sure.

A time-machine/tank.  With a comfy leather recliner inside. 

Ghost-busters!

It didn't come out here, but this outfit is squid themed. 

A mechanical spider hat.

Before James Bond had an Aston Martin, there was this.

Can go from zero to 60 in 12.4 seconds!

One of the three judges for the costume contest.

 I'll be interspersing audience shots in the costume show.  As there was no seating, the audience would ebb and flow, with new people to my left and right all the time. 

Shots of the audience.

Shots of the audience.

Here are photos of the costume contest.  These have been heavily cropped.  There was no seating, so the pictures have to be taken by holding the camera overhead.  Between that and the bright sun, I couldn't see how well the camera was aimed.

First round was for people new to Steampunk.

On the right is "Dark Steampunk Princess Lea".  Not very visible is her tights, on which is pictured gears and pulleys.

I don't recall these participants.  The girl on the right's dress was her first ever made by her.

The adventuring professor on the left.  Dark Lea in a full signature pose.

Shots of the audience.

Family group themed "Alice in Wonderland.

Full stage of the "New", but not the "First Time", Steampunkers.

Shots of the audience.

Shots of the audience.

These characters were introduced as "Yossarian 2" and "Yossarian B".  We were asked not to ask about "Yossarian 1" and "Yossarian A".  But it is a good idea to have spares :)  As I recall, they won this segment of the contest.

This character was introduced as someone recognizable to the crowd, but not me. 

Great costuming,  I think they made everything but his paints.

Like Penn and Teller, the big guy speaks, the lady was silent, lest she have to kill us all.

Another Alice in Wonderland family.  The Mad Hatter was over the top in his presentation.

A mermaid and her knight.

Princess Anna and Sven, Red Riding hood and a stuffed wolf, A Naval Officer, and Captain America.

Shots of the audience.  Great hat!

Shots of the audience.

Shots of the audience.  I really liked the purple and black ensemble. 

Ghost Busters.

Whirly-Bird Man.  Who won the overall "Best Device" award.

Wonder Woman in her signature pose.

First effort costume as well, 100% silk, down to the panteloons.

Butterfly's abound on this outfit.

Views of the audience.

Dalek Queen.  If you complemented her, she would give you a sticker stating "You will not be exterminated."

A family theme.  Everyone dressed alike except the teen age daughter.

Rick of "Rick and Morty"  One robot is "Butter Robot"  I am guessing the other is Lawn-Mower Dog. 

Three of the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse.  Famine, Pestilence, and War.

Rick (blue hair) was over the top in his presentation.  Came in 2nd.

Views of the audience.

Top 6.  3 for best costume, 3 for best devices.

If memory servers, Awards for best devices when to Whirly-Bird man, Deaths Scythe, and Lawn Mower dog.  Best costume went to Dalek Queen, War, and pestilence. 

An impromptu game of ring around the rosey?

Cherry Lane Motor Inn, A Gem of a Motel in Lancaster

Cherry Lane Motor Inn, 84 North Ronks Road Ronks, PA 17572, Ronks, PA 17572.  This motel is a great find.  It is two miles east of the Lancaster Outlets, and only a half a mile off of route 30.  It was obvious the place had serious renovations within the last few years and had a number of modern improvements.  LED lighting, motion sensors turning on lights in the darkened hallways, new TV's.  The rooms were spacious and very clean.  The paint was fresh, and the furniture showed signs of recent carpet cleaning.  Renovations seem to be continuing as there were new rolls of carpets in evidence.  

All this shows that the owners were interested in keeping the place in tip top shape.  

The front was eerily quiet.  No sounds of the hustle and bustle of the route 30 corridor. 

I usually travel with a head pillow, but it was unnecessary.  Each of these 8 pillows were perfect.  I was going to offer to buy one.

The bathroom was clean, and with an second sink, spacious.  During the day, the sunlight comes in from both the back and front windows.

The view from the back was a snowscaped Amish Farmstead.

 I paid $50 for a night in March.  And I can heartily recommend this motel and will stay there again.

Boars Head Feast of St. Peters Lutheran Church

Jan. 7, 2017

I just returned from attending the Boars Head Feast at St. Peters Lutheran Church at Lafayette Hill, PA.  

This was the most amazing show I have seen in a long time.  The majesty and pageantry rivals that of a royal wedding.  A description of what it is about can be found in this Wikipedia article.  Which claims the feast stems from the Roman times, and updated in old England.

The celebration starts with a description of the history of the feast, then the music starts and the Beefeaters take over the church.  This followed by a bagpipe and drum marching band.  Then the lord and lady of the house.  It continues with jesters, the kitchen staff, the presentations of the Boar's Head, followed by a Yule log.  

And it never stops presenting.  Mary and Joseph arrive, which starts the whole Christmas Pageant.  Each succession of characters are welcomed in with the full versions of Christmas Carols, beautifully sung by choir and soloists.  

An angel arrives, clad in white gossamer, wings waving gently, dances through the church.  Foolishly, I looked at my program for the next piece of music, and when I looked up, there was a multitude of angels.  Joanne assured me they descended from above.  It was glorious.

And the arrivals keep coming.  The Shepherds, the Kings, their pages.  This is a medium sized church, and I think everyone under 60 was in costume.  Easily over 200 performers.  

They do not allow photographs, but there are some videos on their church website.  

There are three performances tomorrow.  I recommend to any and all to try to attend!