By Isle of Wight Observer
The IW Steampunk Festival returns to Ryde from September 26 to 28, promising a weekend filled with imagination, invention, and adventure. The festival combines Victorian style with futuristic fantasy, creating a spectacle of costumes, music, and performance.
Across the weekend, Western Gardens will be transformed with market stalls, entertainers, and free family-friendly daytime activities. Visitors can expect everything from teapot racing and tea duelling, to children’s workshops, story-tellers, and the wandering Ziggy Sea Monster. In the evenings, the action continues with live bands, themed entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to dance the night away.
This year’s programme also includes costumed characters, street theatre, and a wide range of food and drink. Festival organisers say there will be something for all ages, whether you are a seasoned steampunk enthusiast or a curious newcomer.
The IW Observer has teamed up with the festival organisers to give away a pair of multi-venue tickets for the Saturday night, which gives entry into Fubar and the Balcony. To be in with a chance of winning, simply tell us what you’re most looking forward to at this year’s Steampunk Festival, and send your answer by email to competition@iwobserver.co.uk, by text to 07469 629071, or leave a message on that number. The competition closes at 5pm on Friday, September 19.