Steampunk World's Fair (SPWF) was the largest annual Steampunk festival on the East Coast of the United States and one of the biggest in the world held over the course of a weekend during the month of May in Piscataway, New Jersey or

Somerset, New Jersey Somerset is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States.fandom A fandom is a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant ...

, including musicians, performers, vendors, artisans, authors, and other guests whose work is related to the steampunk subculture.

Activities

Activities at the convention typically included (but are not limited to): * Panel Discussions - On a variety of subjects related to Steampunk, such as technology of the alternate histories, writing, publishing, the philosophical and sociological implications of the genre's works, costuming, etc. * Speeches or other presentations. * Socializing in common areas and at parties. *

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Gaming - A room for playing

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(live-action and table),

board games Board games are tabletop games that typically use . These pieces are moved or placed on a pre-marked board (playing surface) and often include elements of table, card, role-playing, and miniatures games as well. Many board games feature a co ...

, and

card game A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games (such as poker). A small number of card ga ...

s * Performances of Steampunk music * Costuming - both formal competition (the "Masquerade"), and casual "hall costumes" * Fashion shows * Theatrical productions * H.P. Lovecraft-themed

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s * Political demonstrations linking contemporary and historical political issues * Dealers' rooms selling books, movies, jewellery, costumes (often including weapons), games, comic books, etc.

History, production, and promotion

The fair was founded in 2010 by Jeff Mach, Josh Marks, Erin Tierniegh, and Jack Manx. Journalist

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attended the 2011 Steampunk World's Fair and reviewed the event for CBS News Sunday Morning.

Past events

*2010 - The Steampunk World's Fair was first held May 14–16, 2010 at the Radisson Hotel, Piscataway, New Jersey. Nearly 3,000 people attended this first year. *2011 - The second annual SPWF was held May 20–22, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Somerset, New Jersey. *2012 - The third annual SPWF was held May 18–20 at the

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and the

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in Piscataway, New Jersey. Attendance was over 4,000.

Controversy

In January 2018, former volunteers, employees, and attendees of Steampunk World's Fair and other events organized by Jeff Mach Events (JME) accused JME founder Jeff Mach of sexual misconduct, questionable business practices, and failing to respond to alleged criminal activities at his events. On January 26, 2018, Jeff Mach announced on Facebook that he would be stepping down from running events and JME changed its name to Just Magical Events. A community run steampunk event took place on the 2018 event dates, with no association to the Steampunk World's Fair. It was called C.O.G.S., or Community Organized Gathering of Steampunks. As of 2023, Just Magical Events has changed its name back to Jeff Mach Events and has listed The Evil Expo (The Steampunk World's Fair under a new name) and The Marvelous Maytide Misfit Market as events currently being organized by JME.

References

External links

*{{official website, http://steampunkworldsfair.com/
Jeff Mach Events
Defunct festivals in New Jersey Arts organizations established in 2010 Defunct science fiction conventions in the United States Recurring events established in 2010 Steampunk conventions 2010 establishments in New Jersey