Dimboola will again be transformed into a Victorian-era wonderland for the second Wimmrea Steampunk Festival later this month.

After the overwhelming success of the inaugural festival last year, which attracted over two thousand attendees, it is anticipated that this may double for this year’s Time Travellers’ Soiree.

The festival will take place over four days from Thursday, 20 April, with the main event taking place from 4 pm on Saturday, 22 April, when sections of both Lloyd and Lochiel Streets will be closed to traffic and taken over by Dimboola’s biggest street party populated by time travellers from all over.

Three stages around the precinct will support live music, with the main stage in Lochiel Street and the verandah behind the Library and the Dimboola Store courtyard.

Local school children will participate in a lantern procession while the Horsham Rural City Band plays Lady Gaga’s Poker Face, and street dancers will perform the Time Warp.

Buildings and trees around the precinct will be illuminated after the sun sets, adding to the surreal atmosphere as the streets fill with the extraordinary and unusual.

Fossey’s Gin Distillery from Mildura and local chef Cat Clark, in conjunction with the Dimboola Town Committee, will be putting on a special dinner consisting of a five-course meal with matching gins and a variety show in the VRI hall on the Friday evening. This is a separately ticketed event and has already sold out.

For the first time in many years, Dimboola’s iconic Star Theatre will host a live production, with Horsham’s Smart Artz Theatre Inc. putting on a one-act play called Shuddersome: Tales of Poe. To witness this show, tickets need to be purchased on-line

For those who want to get further into the genre of Steampunk, science fiction and fantasy author Carol Ryles from Perth will give a talk at the Library on Thursday afternoon, and on Sunday afternoon, Karen Carlisle, who is known as a writer of Victorian mysteries, Steampunk and fantasy themed works, from Adelaide will also be speaking on the subject.
New volunteers for the Wimmera Steampunk Festival are welcome to attend a meeting tonight (Friday 14 March) at 7 pm at the Dimboola Shire Hall.

The big night is not far away now, and it’s your chance to be part of a unique community event.

2023 Wimmera Steampunk Festival Program

Thursday 20 April

7.00 pm & 9.00 pm                   Shuddersome: Tales of Poe. A play in one act by Horsham’s Smart Artz Theatre Inc. at the Star Theatre. (Ticketed)

Friday 21 April

10.00 am - noon Dimboola and District Historical Society will open the Courthouse Museum at 67 Lloyd Street. (Free)

2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Dimboola and District Historical Society will open the Courthouse Museum at 67 Lloyd Street. (Free)

4.00 pm - 6.00 pm Author Carol Ryles travels from Perth to Discuss Steampunk world creations at the Dimboola Library, 101 Lloyd Street (Free)

6.30 pm - 10.00 pm Fossey’s Gin degustration with local chef Cat Clarke and a variety show at the VRI Hall at the Dimboola Railway Station on Hindmarsh St. (Ticketed)

7.00 pm & 9.00 pm Shuddersome: Tales of Poe. A play in one act by Horsham’s Smart Artz Theatre Inc. at the Star Theatre. (Ticketed)

Saturday 22 April

10.00 am - 2.00 pm Dimboola Print Museum opens at 27 Lochiel Street and is hosted by the Dimboola and District Historical Society. (Free)

10.00 am - 2.00 pm Dimboola and District Historical Society will open the Courthouse Museum at 67 Lloyd Street. (Free)

10.00 am - 2.00 pm Band Museum open at 38 Victoria Street. (Free)

7.00 pm & 9.00 pm Shuddersome: Tales of Poe. A play in one act by Horsham’s Smart Artz Theatre Inc. at the Star Theatre. (Ticketed)

4.00 pm - 11.00 pm The Main Event (Pre-Sale Tickets - $5 under 17 - $22 Adults or $40 at the gate for the adults - $10 under 17)

Market Stalls and Vintage Cars on Lloyd Street.

Food and Drink Stalls in Lochiel Street.

CWA Devonshire Tea Party and RSL BBQ.

Main Stage
- 5.00 pm & 6.15 pm - The Royal High Jinx,
- 7.15 pm - Flashmob
- 7.45 pm - Delsinki
- 9.30 pm - Headrush Bands
- Multicultural Dance Performances
- 8.45 pm - Children’s lantern procession with the Horsham Rural City Band
- 9.00 pm - Best Costume Awards

Library Verandah Stage
- 5.30 pm - Blackbirds FC Band
- 6.45 pm - Delicscape band
- 7.45 pm - Horsham Rural City Band
- 8.45 pm - Alchemy of Rhythm Band

Dimboola Store Courtyard Stage
- 4.00 pm - Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
- 4.30 pm - Nhill-Dimboola Brass Band
- 5.30 pm - Dimboola Primary School Singers
- 6.00 pm - Moonshine Coalition Band
- 7.30 pm - Walter Ison’s David Bowie tribute

- Euroa’s Elliot Patterson will feature on all three stages at intermissions.

- Light stations and projections

- The Amazing Light Stations by Human Designs will illuminate the trees leading Emu Wren Land.

- Street Roamers - The Brass Harpies

Sunday 23 April

11.00 am - 3.00 pm Hindmarsh Shire will host a Chillout Session behind the library verandah with performers Kailee Rose and Molly Hoyne. (Free)

2.00 pm - 3.00 pm Author Karen Carlisle travels from Adelaide to talk about the Steampunk world. (Free)

3.00 pm - 6.00 pm Victoria Hotel - Alchemy of Rhythm(Free)

This program was correct at the time of publication, but this event just keeps getting bigger so this is subject to change.
For those with an eye to the future (or is that the past for a time traveller?), the Carnival of Peculiarities will feature at the third Wimmera Steampunk Festival on 12 April 2025.


The Dimboola Courier is a proud sponsor of the 2023 Wimmera Steampunk Festival