Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Steampunkers and Steampunkettes, step right up to see the greatest show on the Coromandel.

A crowd in its thousands decked out with cogs, futuristic weapons and corsets are expected to take over Thames for the annual Steampunk the Thames Festival taking place this weekend.

Everything to make a Steampunk enthusiast's heart-cogs turn will be on offer, from talks on the industrial era to airbrushing demonstrations, circus carnivals to risque burlesque shows and steampunk markets.

What is Steampunk I hear you ask? It's a subgenre of science fiction which celebrates steam-powered technology and often set in an alternate, futuristic 19th century Victorian England or American Wild West – think H.G. Wells and Jules Verne.

The festival is run by charitable society Steampunk the Thames Inc. and its committee of ten members who each bring a wealth of talent, fresh ideas and a passion to 'art up Thames”.

The popularity of the festival has grown exponentially with Steampunks and the curious alike from across New Zealand descending on Thames for the three-day festival.

'The annual Steampunk Ball sold out in just under three weeks, even so there is plenty to do that is free and family-friendly over the weekend,” says a Thames-Coromandel District Council spokesperson.

'Plans are also being made for next year's Thames Steampunk Festival (November 9-12, 2017) which will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of gold being discovered in Thames.”

Steampunk Nikki ready for the 2015 Steampunk Ball. Photo: Paul Smith.

STEAMPUNK THE THAMES EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Friday, November 11:

Steampunk Meet and Greet - An opportunity to meet and greet our steampunkers, enjoy a social drink and find out about the fesitval and our wonderful town.

Steampunk Banquet - A veritable Victorian feast at The Club, Tickets $65 each

Night of 'Burlesque' - Old-style glamour and glitz (R18) at the GBD, tickets are still available for the 6:30 show and are $30.

Saturday, November 12:

Steampunk on Parade and "Punk my Ride" display" and market - See the steampunk'd rides and costumes in the parade, with everything you need to create your own masterpiece at the market.

Tea Time at the Museum - enjoy steampunk at the Thames Historical Museum with a traditional Victorian tea.

Academy of Future Past - Entry by gold coin donation to the School of Mines. Thought-provoking talks by experts who are at the forefront of their speciality. Afternoon tea (across the road) and time to chat.

Steampunk Circus and Street Carnival - old-fashioned Victorian Circus-style evening including jugglers, aerial artists, unicyclists, a Fortune Teller, Miss Ophelia Payne the tattooed lady, Dimitri the strong man and a Magnificent Magician.

Tracy's Bella Street Steampunk Ball - This event has sold out.

Music Hall - Victorian Music Hall Extravaganza at The Brew Tickets. $25ea.

Sunday, November 13:

Steampunk Breakfast - Head to the GBD for a hearty Victorian Breakfast. Steampunk menu's available on the day.

Thames Small Gauge Railway - $2 Steam Train Rides for all miniature train enthusiasts.

Academy of Future Past - Entry by gold coin donation to the School of Mines. Thought-provoking talks by experts who are at the forefront of their speciality. Afternoon tea (across the road) and time to chat.

To view the full Steampunk the Thames Festival 2016 programme visit: www.steampunkthethames.org

Miniature steam engines will be a must-do for the smaller Steampunks, and some of the big ones too. Photo: Hayden Duffin