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Steampunks from all across the country are firing up their imagination machines and descending upon Thames this weekend.

Three days of epic excitement, mind-boggling contraptions and scientific fantasy are being promised when the inaugural Steampunk the Thames Festival gets underway this Friday.

The inaugural Steampunk the Thames Festival powers into Thames this Friday. Photo: Peter James Quinn

For the uninitiated, ‘steampunk' is a subgenre of science fiction that celebrates steam-powered technology and is often set in an alternate, futuristic 19th century Victorian England.

The festival is being run by voluntary organisation Steampunk the Thames Inc. and its committee of ten members who each bring a wealth of talent, fresh ideas and a passion to 'art up Thames”.

President Deb MacDonald Brown says this weekend's event grew out last year's Thames Art Festival which incorporated the steampunk theme.

'We are extremely excited to be presenting the first ever Steampunk the Thames Festival this year,” she says. 'As a genre, Steampunk has a really broad appeal for people no matter who they are or how old they are.

'In fact, the thing that amazes me the most about Steampunks is who they are when you take them out of their costumes! In the past we've had writers and artists, but also aeronautical engineers, web and graphic designers, even a couple of council staff members too.”

Mem Bourke and Colin Brocas. Photo: Deb MacDonald Brown

This weekend will be jam packed with a wide range of fantastically fun, workshops, competitions and more that you'll need a steam powered time machine just to fit it all in.

Events includes the Bella Street Pumphouse Steampunk Ball, Mad Hatter's Steampunk Convention, the Steampunk to the Max car parade and display, the Steampunk Street Carnival plus the Wild West Burlesque show.

For Deb, the events she's particularly looking forward to are the Steampunk to the Max and the Steampunk Circus and Carnival which are both free and take place on Saturday.

'Steampunk to the Max incorporates the whole Mad Max concept and gets people to steampunk their vehicles,” she explains. 'One of our local artist has already steampunked a tractor and it looks amazing.

'And the Street Carnival is basically a vintage circus with old fashion rides, games and food. The event's for all our families to come out and have some fun with us.”

Looking back on Thames' rich history, Deb believes it is the perfect locale for a steampunk festival and says it is exciting to be sharing that history with out of towners.

'Essentially Thames was a frontier town, built during the gold rush and kauri logging days, so it really is a Victorian town and we've got fabulous heritage buildings here.

'We've created this festival to celebrate Thames' own blend of art, heritage and culture, inspire and stimulate local talent, showcase local art and creativity and attract visitors to town,” she says.

The inaugural Steampunk the Thames takes place at locations all around Thames from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15. For more information visit: www.steampunkthethames.org

Photo: Mark Skelding