PORT TOWNSEND — The first Brass Screw Confederacy was considered something of a happy accident, garnering an enthusiastic response that surprised even its organizers.
The second annual festival, which begins today, has raised the bar on what organizers describe as “Port Townsend’s premier steampunk event,” and local merchants hope to supply some of the unique goods the steampunk crowd craves.
“Last year was ‘look-see.’ People were wondering what this was all about,” said Sideshow Variety owner Holly Green.
“This year, they are coming with a purpose.”
Green’s novelty shop is located at 630 Water St. in the middle of Steampunk Central, and she has tripled her related inventory in anticipation of large crowds.
Green defines steampunk as “a Victorian look with a sci-fi twist,” but there are some arguments about what it really is.
“I’ve talked to a zillion people who have come in here, and they all have different views,” said Joyce Janetski, who opened World’s End at 1020 Water St. in May.
“You get all kinds of definitions, but I like the whimsical.”
World’s End carries a line of steampunk fashions, which Janetski said are right at home in Port Townsend.
“It’s a perfect fit for steampunk here, as it is a Victorian arts community, which is what steampunk is all about,” Janetski said.
“I’m expecting that this year will be busier than last year,” said Cheri Rabb, owner of the Body Shop at 823 Washington St.
“People realize it is a very cool thing, and it’s very compatible with Port Townsend.”
Organizer Nathan Barnett said the event is part of a national movement that celebrates the ingenuity and inventiveness of the Victorian era and combines that with elements of science fiction and fantasy to create a perception of those times.
The first festival was billed as the other side of “Victorian” from what is usually presented in Port Townsend.
Since that time, steampunk has taken over and rewritten the rules.
After last year’s event, organizers formed a nonprofit called Olympic Peninsula Steam, which took over the management of the annual Victorian Festival, held in March.
The cross-pollination has helped both festivals, organizers believe.
“Steampunk is off-center. It isn’t mainstream,” said Darby Huffman, owner of Daily Bird Pottery at 1011 Water St.
“It is where people look at life from a different point of view, which is what we are all about here.”
Like last year, Huffman’s shop has created a limited-edition ceramic cup, the official souvenir of the festival, along with a steampunk teapot.
The organizers deliberately avoided repeating themselves this year, and that will probably continue.
The idea of steampunk is to keep everything fresh.
Huffman has one idea that could fit right in.
“Every year at the Wooden Boat Festival, there are a few steamboats,” he said.
“I’d like to talk to them this year and get them to return for next year’s festival so we can have a steamboat race across the bay.
“That would fit perfectly and make it a whole lot more exciting.”
For a schedule of events and ticket prices, see Page B1.
For more information, visit www.brass-screw.org.
Port Townsend/Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
