The largest Steampunk Festival in the world returns to Lincoln for its 12th year
After a difficult few year, from relocating in 2021 to losing former partners, the event is back and eager to please
Lincoln's Asylum Steampunk Festival returns this year with its infamous aesthetics of 19th century industrial steam - powered machinery and futuristic feel. After Relocating to Newark in 2021 because of Covid 19 and the loss of former partners the weekend of art, music, and fashion is back, and has overcome its challenges.
The Ministry of Steampunk, organise the Asylum Steampunk Festival, that takes place in the City of Lincoln, including in the Castle, and after a few disrupted years the event has returned.
Being first held in 2009, it's said to attract over 30,000 people each day- both locals and from across the world.
In 2021 the event was held in Newark, because of Covid 19, where the organisers were told it could not be hosted in Lincoln. So, on its return, the event is taking place from Friday the 26th of August, to Monday the 29th.
As the longest running steampunk festival, John Naylor is proud to be the event's Director:
"This weekend is… well, it's a renewal for us. We're back for the first time, after a two year hiatus, massive hiatus because of Covid, and we've attracted people from all around the world to come back to Lincoln, for a fabulous weekend."
Some highlights of the weekend includes, a Steampunk Market, the Asylum Costume Competition and Parade, a Jet Pack Race and the Asylum's Most Splendid Promenade.
With smiles across the first day, John, has been pleased, and told us what the festival means to him:
"Personally, this is amazing, you know, I do this for fun, and none of my team are paid, we're all volunteers. We've all got real jobs - I make films for a living - but to be able to be part of a huge arts community that is a leveller from dustbin-men to surgeons. You know, it's just jaw- droping… amazing."
He continued, to add:
"We met many challenges this year, there's been problems with some of our former partners, because Covid has cased them to shrink their operations and close and things like that. But we've overcome them all, thanks, in a large part, to the support of some key members of the Lincoln Community.
"Simon Walters at Lincoln City Council's been awesome. Lee, from Lincoln Big, amazing. Will Mason, supporting us from the County Council, and our new partners at the Drill, and at the Engine Shed, and at the Lawn. It's finally starting to feel like the fringe festival we always wanted to be."