This Way to the EGRESS
(BUDD LAKE, NJ) -- Steampunk Alchemy Fest returns June 6-8, 2025 to Budd Lake for its fourth year of celebrating the creativity and innovation of steampunk culture. Steampunk Alchemy Fest, which will be held on the spacious outdoor grounds of Vasa Park (1 Vasa Drive), combines the steam-powered Victorian Era energy of the classic science fiction genre with unique activities and entertainment.
This year brings an extended event that features three days of festivities and camping onsite. The schedule includes Friday night campfire activities and performances, all day Saturday with a full family friendly line up, Saturday night adults only Cabaret with bawdy music, burlesque, and banter and Sunday farewell brunch.
Scheduled entertainment includes:
* A Halo Called Fred – Your hosts for the day are A Halo Called Fred, who have spent the last two decades making the geekiest sounds ever to spring from guitar, bass, violin, and Tupperware. Featuring songs about pirates, cavemen, and any body part or flying thing you can think of. They have lent their talents to Burlesque shows, motion picture soundtracks, rock operas, and host “The Freaky Mutant Weirdo Variety Show”. Specializing in counter-cultural and geeky conventions, the Halo is proud to bring musical joy to any gathering. From Steampunks to Fairies, Bikers to Furries, our message always rings true – “We Love You All!”
* This Way to the EGRESS – Equal parts unruly vaudeville, ebullient world-beat, and three-ring circus all the while playing an amalgamation of worldly influences which defies genres. Formed in 2008, This Way to the EGRESS is a 6-piece accordion led ensemble hailing from the Tri-State area… With a wide variety of musical backgrounds and a diverse array of influences, EGRESS crafts intricately arranged audible cocktails which will be sure to make you move. Together they form a tapestry of worldly influences and an alchemy of sounds modern and past, familiar, and forgotten.
* Dust Bowl Faeries - The band performs a faerie-tale fusion of dark cabaret and gothic polka music, infused with a dose of witchcraft and a dusting of woodland magic. The accordion driven freak-folk ensemble hails from the New York Hudson Valley and draws inspiration from sinister circus songs, murder ballads and Eastern European folk music. Singing saw, piano accordion, bass, percussion and acoustic guitar combine to create the Dust Bowl Faeries otherworldly sound.
* Lesser Séamus– Lesser Séamus was formed in 2008 in New Brunswick, NJ, and performs as a three to seven-piece band. Instrumentation includes guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, tin whistle, Uilleann pipes, bass, and drums. Song offerings include traditional Irish folk, ballads, fiddle tunes, and plenty of Celtic punk.
* Gypsy Funk Squad - An interactive & family friendly happy hippy FUNky fun Rock/POP Western music mixed with songs from Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Mexico, India, and more. Performed by a motley of musicians in a FUN'k-tifed, unpredictable manner, with audience dancing and participation.
* Professional Monstrosity Sideshow – Not your Victorian uncle’s sideshow, Lady Gypsy offers a fresh, funny, intimate show with all the escapes, pain tolerance and off the wall skills you could ever want! From off kilter straight jacket escapes to her signature coffin bed of nails, Lady Gypsy will keep you entertained and mildly disturbed.
* Dr. JR Whitcomb - Dr. J.R. is a circus and sideshow jack-of-all-trades, captivating audiences with his extraordinary talents. For over a decade, he has been cracking whips, conjuring magic, and breaking hearts on stages across the U.S.A. Whether it's traditional sideshow wonders, breathtaking illusions, or remarkable feats of skill, he undeniably lives up to the title of "King of the Impossible"
* The Munchausen Society – The Munchausen Society combines interactive storytelling with charity fundraising! Join them and help them spin the most fanciful and challenging tall tales possible, all for a good cause.
* The Tipsy Kings – The Tipsy Kings are an interactive stilt walking musical group of awesomeness. This sky high wandering musical and interactive act is sure to amaze as they wander the festival with their quips, tricks and more!
* Nicole Olivia - Singer, Actress, Mermaid and more Nicole Oliva has hundreds of performances to her accreditation in the realms of plays, musicals, operas, concerts and films. Nicole has been working as a Mermaid by day and stage performer by night. So you can catch her as Mermaid Aria amongst the vendors with gadgets and gizmos a plenty and singing and dancing on stage as well.
* Myles Gonzales - Myles Gonzalez is a singer-songwriter, artist, and crafter based in Central Jersey. If they had a dime for every time they strolled around a fairground playing ukulele and singing their songs, they’d have 20 cents—almost enough for a gumball, which makes them very happy. When they aren’t busy being a wandering minstrel, you’ll find them vending their handcrafted jewelry and painting faces for kids (or the young at heart!).
Other activities Include:
* The Museum of Interesting Things – A traveling interactive demonstration/exhibition of antiques and inventions.
* Tea Room – A quiet area away from all the event hub-bub where you can partake in artisan teas.
* Vendors – Artisan vendors for your shopping pleasure.
* Cabaret Add On – Featuring music, burlesque, comedy and more.
* Camping - Grab a thirst for adventure and spend the weekend with us Steampunk Summer Camp style!
Among the scheduled vendors:
* Binx’ Brew – They sell handmade artisan soaps and body care items made with natural ingredients to produce high quality, non-toxic products.
* Blue Flame Leather and Accessories - Blue Flame is a purveyor of fine leather and textile accessories and goods, as well as other unique things to make your costumes one of a kind!
* Finklepott's Original Fairy Hair - The most magical hair in the world. You can wash it, Brush it, Comb it, Curl it, Flat iron, (up to 450°!) Color it, Straighten it, Perm it, Blow it dry, get your haircut, etc. Do whatever you normally do to your hair -but most of all, ENJOY it!
* J. M. DeSantis - Dark Fantasy & Horror books/novels, comics, children's books, prints, stickers, & original art. His work has appeared in magazines, online publications, as well as in film and the music industry
* Zotia Gems - A one-woman force of creative power that uses natural gemstones and metals to craft one-of-a-kind jewelry not seen anywhere else. From wearable dreamcatchers to body chains, chokers and more Zotia Gems prides itself on creating jewelry for your soul.
The Steampunk Fair brings a scene that you certainly wouldn’t see every day in Morris County, with attendees dressed in “steampunk clothing and gear”. But organizers make it clear that you don’t need to “dress the part” to attend. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy this family-friendly event.
Advanced tickets are available for single day and multi day admissions, price varies per day/package. Free for kids 12 and under. Add on tickets are also available for the Saturday evening Cabaret and camping packages. Tickets are available for purchase online.
For more information on the festival visit SteampunkAlchemyFest.com.
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