Steampunk Festival, Mr. Flips Carnival of Wonders & Curiosities, July 19th

11am-noon in the Readings Gallery of Village Books: A Reading from the Bellingham Herald's Memories of Light serial novel. Bellingham. 100 years in the future. It rains—a lot. The world is a bleak place, where Rocket Donuts is partially submerged and a strict council controls the city. People fear technology and the devastation it brings. Tanner is a boy running the wild streets of Bellingham, pushing the limits of the council's rules, and yet fearing the punishments of the work camps that killed his father. When he catches a glimpse of the past, he realizes there is more to living than just fear. About the authors: Amanda June Hagarty was born north of the border, in Vancouver, but the transplant to Bellingham has been a complete success. She is currently completing a fantasy novel called Little Lacey, about a girl who is part human and part bat, transformed years ago by a wishing well.  In the story, Lacey struggles with being different, pressures to "grow up," and her deeper animal instincts, which keep getting her in trouble. Robert L. Slater is the author of the young adult book, All Is Silence: A Deserted Lands Novel. He is a teacher/writer at Windward High School in Ferndale. His stories and poetry have appeared in many small press publications. Visit his websites: www.DesertedLands.com or at www.robslater.com.

Noon-1pm in the Readings Gallery at VB: Taimi Gorman, Haunted Fairhaven. "With any Fairhaven Building you have your light, your heat and your ghost." These 1890's brick buildings saw booms and busts, suicides and murders, brothels and bars, gunfights and ghosts. Haunted Fairhaven reveals the current supernatural activity in the district's structures including Village Books! Hear the stories and see actual photographs from the paranormal investigations that lead to this sensational book. Freelance writer Taimi Dunn Gorman owned several businesses in Fairhaven including The Colophon Café, becoming very familiar with district history and ghostly legends.  In addition to writing, she now uses her newly discovered skill of spirit photography in local investigations.

1-2pm in the Conference Room of the Village Inn: Karina Cooper, reading from the St. Croix Chronicles. Karina Cooper will be reading a brief, spoiler-free excerpt from the fifth in her steampunk series, Engraved. Follow Cherry St. Croix on a journey across the fog-ridden streets of London low, where all she knew has been turned on its ear by the advent of powerful change. What manner of mystery has risen during her country convalescence? After writing happily ever afters for all of her friends in school, Karina Cooper eventually grew up (sort of), went to work in the real world (kind of), where she decided that making stuff up was way more fun (true!). She is the author of dark and sexy paranormal romances, steampunk adventures, crossover urban fantasy, and continues to write across multiple genres with mad glee. Her award winning steampunk series, the St. Croix Chronicles, has been nominated for multiple RT Reviewers' Choice Awards.

1-3pm in the Northwest section of Village Books: Stop by and chat with Karl Kleeman and William Rink about the Bellingham Railway Museum's Rail Trail Walking Guide. The guide covers 3.5 miles from the Amtrak Station in Fairhaven to the old Trolley Power Station on Railroad Ave at York Street, and includes 27 maps and 60 historic pictures. Along the walking trail visitors will find 35 newly installed walking guide historic markers. The project was funded by the Whatcom Community Foundation.

1:30-2:30pm in the Readings Gallery of VB: "Bringing History to Life" discussion featuring Chris Brewer, Education Coordinator for the Whatcom Museum, John Jenkins, President and Co-founder of the Spark Museum, and Marissa McGrath, co-founder of The Good Time Girls: Join us for a lively discussion and moderated conversation with local history museum representatives. We will talk about how museums make history enlivening, and presenters will bring a variety of "show and tell" items to share. Chris Brewer is the Education Coordinator for the Whatcom Museum, which includes the iconic 1892 Old City Hall building. Before coming to the museum, Chris worked for 20 years as an arts consultant, author and educator. John Jenkins is the President & Co-founder of the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention, and a member of several professional associations including The Society for the History of Technology, The History of Science Society, and the IEEE. He lectures and writes on technology related topics. John is the author of two books: Loud Talker: The Early History of Loudspeakers and Where Discovery Sparks Imagination: A Pictorial History of Radio and Electricity. Marissa McGrath is one of two founders of The Good Time Girls. Along with her business partner Sara Holodnick and her talented and knowledgable staff, she researches, develops and provides tours of Downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven that pay special attention to the history of vice, crime and people whose stories are often marginalized. The Good Time Girls recently opened The Bureau of Historical Investigation: A gift and souvenir shop, offering handpicked, handcrafted goods from all over the country-- with special emphasis on local finds.

2:30-3:20pm in the Conference Room of the Village Inn: Victorian Elements in Steampunk Jewelry: Bead Bazaar is hosting a panel examining Victorian jewelry traditions and fun ways to incorporate them in Steampunk's Neo-Victorian world. Among other things we'll discuss the chatelaine; part status symbol, part tool kit, and an essential accessory for the well-prepared Victorian woman.

3-3:30pm in the Readings Gallery: Steampunk story time for kids and families.

3:30-4:30pm in the Conference Room of the Village Inn: Steampunk Community of Writers Networking and Discussion Opportunity. Come join a variety of local authors, including Amanda Hagarty, Karina Cooper, Rob Slater and Rachel McCausland as we discuss the writing life in the genres of Steampunk and speculative fiction. This is an opportunity to meet with other writers and learn about what they've found effective in their writing. Come prepared for a casual discussion, and bring your questions. This program will be moderated by a Steampunk Festival representative.

4-5pm in the Readings Gallery of Village Book: "How Clothing of the Victorian Era Inspires Steampunk" presented by Colleen Harper from Black Market, Lori Erickson from Lastwear, and Jane Burleigh from Calamity Jane Corsetry. Colleen Harper owns Black Market Boutique in Bellingham, WA. She finds clothing to be a fascinating lens into culture, where history and style intersect to reveal changing ideals and priorities. Colleen graduated from WWU in 2006 with a BA in Literature, and has remained an avid learner and active thinker ever since. Lori Erickson is a designer from Lastwear, a Seattle-based company that designs clothes for misfits of all stripes: steampunks, goths, and dieselpunk. Their clothes and name reflect the belief that it's better to buy quality once than throw it away a hundred times. Jane Burleigh, of Calamity Jane Corsetry will be sharing her hand-made corsets and joining the conversation.

The festival will also feature family friendly activities. Come see Trevor 'the Sword Guy' AKA, Epic Myth Adventures, perform his tricks on the Green. Watch a Fencing demo, presented by the Bellingham Bay Fencing Association on the stage.  Participate in kids' crafts all day long with the Bellingham Steampunk Society. History will also come alive with representation by the Whatcom Museum, SPARK Museum of Radio & Electricity, and The Bureau of Historical Investigation. Dean Christensen & Donkelope will amaze you with their Steampunk'd bicycles from an era that never was. Participate in a costume contest, and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a variety of prizes including goggles, coffee, chocolate, and books. Proceeds will benefit the Bellingham Steampunk Society. Food vendors include Street Dogz, Mallards, and Skylark's chowder.