Steampunk World's Fair (SPWF) this show no longer exists

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. *

Role-playing Role-playing or roleplaying is the changing of one's behaviour to assume a role, either unconsciously to fill a social role, or consciously to act out an adopted role. While the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' offers a definition of role-playing ...

Gaming - A room for playing

role-playing games A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, or abbreviated as RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, eith ...

(live-action and table),

board games A board game is a type of tabletop game that involves small objects () that are placed and moved in particular ways on a specially designed patterned game board, potentially including other components, e.g. dice. The earliest known uses of the ...

, and

card game A card game is any game that uses playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, whether the cards are of a traditional design or specifically created for the game (proprietary). Countless card games exist, including famil ...

s * Performances of Steampunk music * Costuming - both formal competition (the "Masquerade"), and casual "hall costumes" * Fashion shows * Theatrical productions * H.P. Lovecraft-themed murder mystery dinners * 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 Mo Rocca attended the 2011 Steampunk World's Fair and reviewed the event for

CBS News Sunday Morning ''CBS News Sunday Morning'' (frequently shortened to ''Sunday Morning'') is an American television newsmagazine that has aired on CBS since January 28, 1979. Created by Robert Northshield and E.S. "Bud" Lamoreaux III, and originally hosted by ...

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

Embassy Suites Embassy Suites by Hilton is a chain of all-suite hotels trademarked by Hilton Worldwide. , there are 257 locations in five countries and territories with 59,712 rooms. Similar to other Hilton brands, 212 Embassy Suites hotels are independently o ...

and the Radisson Hotel in

Piscataway, New Jersey Piscataway ( ) is a Township (New Jersey), township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is a suburb of the New York metropolitan area, in the Raritan River, Raritan Valley. As of the 2020 United ...

. 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