Steampunk at Strathearn Returns With Inventors Challenge and Victorian-Era Festival
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Teams of backyard inventors and tinkerers will have a chance to build their own steam-powered contraptions this fall when Steampunk at Strathearn returns with a new makers competition alongside the festival's costumed crowds and vintage machinery displays.
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District will host the two-day event on October 3 and 4 at Strathearn Historical Park. This year marks the debut of the Gears & Gizmos Makers Challenge, where teams of two to four people will design and construct their own steampunk-inspired inventions.
Steampunk blends Victorian aesthetics with imagined industrial technology. According to the Plainsman Museum, the genre emerged in the 1980s as a literary subculture that reimagined the 19th century through a lens of brass gears, steam engines, and speculative invention. What began in science fiction novels has grown into a cultural movement that celebrates craftsmanship, historical fashion, and hands-on creativity.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and features artisan vendors, food stalls, live entertainment, and rides in a Model T Ford. Attendees often arrive in full Victorian-era costumes, complete with goggles, corsets, top hats, and hand-built gadgetry.
"You can bring a team to build your own contraption, enjoy the food, check out the vendors, see people in creative costumes, ride in a Model T Ford, and enjoy the live entertainment," the Rancho Simi park district said in a statement. "So, check out why we say our park district is Where it Happens."
Strathearn Historical Park provides a fitting backdrop for the event. The museum grounds preserve structures from the city's agricultural past, offering a real-world connection to the 19th-century industrial period that steampunk culture celebrates.
Advance tickets and weekend passes are available online only through September 18. Daily admission tickets may be sold at the gate depending on availability. Guests planning to wear costumes should review the event's Code of Conduct on the district's website, which includes guidelines for props and attire.
Registration for the competition was set to end September 14 for age-specific divisions, with space limited to 10 teams.
Steampunk culture emphasizes maker ingenuity and hands-on design. The Gears & Gizmos competition brings that ethos to life by asking participants to imagine and build functional or decorative machines inspired by Victorian engineering. Past steampunk festivals have featured everything from hand-cranked music boxes to clockwork automatons and elaborate costumes rigged with moving parts.
The event also offers a family-friendly entry point into a subculture that values creativity and craftsmanship. Visitors can explore vendor booths displaying handmade jewelry, leather goods, and custom-built gadgets. Live performances often include period-appropriate music, theatrical demonstrations, and interactive storytelling.
Strathearn Historical Park is located at 137 Strathearn Place. The site includes original structures from the Strathearn family ranch, which date to the late 1800s. The park hosts educational programs and special events throughout the year, making it a hub for local history and community gatherings.
For tickets, makers challenge registration, and full event details, visit the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District website at www.rsrpd.org. Navigate to Recreation, then Events, then Fall, and select Steampunk at Strathearn.
