As part of the 2021 Christmas extravaganza, We Are Weymouth launched A Steampunk Christmas weekend in the town. The aim was to bring a Victorian-Georgian-Edwardian feel to the historic town during the festive season, introducing a new clientele to the town and offering something unique to the traditional run of events. It turned out to be a real crowd-pleaser, drawing in visitors and locals alike and generating national and local press.
Dawn Rondeau, Chief Operations Officer at We Are Weymouth BID comments: “After the success of last year’s first Steampunk weekend, we wanted to make this year even bigger and better. We connected the Ministry of Steampunk with the students of Weymouth College to create an evening of Steampunk fashion, and fundraising for a local charity – Weldmar Hospice Care. The evening was a great introduction to Steampunk for novices and kicked the whole weekend off with a bang.”
On Saturday the Victorian, Nothe Fort hosted a Steampunk Christmas Bazaar with entertainers and stalls which was followed by a sell-out Yuletide Ball with local pirates The Dolmen. Finally the Grand Steampunk Promenade rounded off the weekend with costumed participants including Steampunk Santa, parading along The Esplanade, St Alban street, St Mary street and New Bond street, with caroling, singing and fun for all.
Dawn added: “We Are Weymouth is privileged to host this annual event and welcome Steampunkers from near and far to enjoy the fantastical and magical elements of Steampunk, bringing something unique to the town. Steampunk is a natural addition to our Christmas activities due to our historical backdrop. The rationale behind the programme of activities for the town (including elf and steampunk weekends) is to ensure a legacy that is built upon year-on-year, bringing visitors and locals to the town at the same time every year and ensuring they diarise the town as the ‘go-to’ for fun and fantastical Christmas events. What we’re offering here is different to the traditional events you’ll find in towns across the country and this really helps to put Weymouth on the map.”
(2023 sees 1-3 Dec as the next Christmas Steampunk weekend in Weymouth)
