The annual Steampunk New Zealand Festival, held in Oamaru, is now ''quite firmly placed'' on the international steampunk calendar, organisers say.
Oamaru will be going ''full steam'' over the next four days, the Steampunk New Zealand Festival coinciding with the Fire and Steam festival, formerly known as Oamaru on Fire, which starts at 6.30pm tonight.
Thousands of people are expected to pack Oamaru's Victorian Precinct for the Fire and Steam festival, as Harbour St comes alive with lighting effects, walls of fire, live music and street performers.
Steampunk enthusiasts from around the world will be part of this year's Steampunk New Zealand Festival - either in person, or by live streaming on the internet.
''We're skyping people in on Sunday - people from France, from England, Scotland and the United States,'' Steampunk New Zealand Festival co-organiser Helen Jansen said.
A special international guest this year is Montague Jacques Fromage, from the US.
He will headline a ''music extravaganza'' which follows the Oamaru Fire and Steam festival tonight and will host the Steampunk NZ Fashion Show on Sunday.
Coming to Oamaru for the festival has been a ''fantasy'' in his mind for about three years.
''I am absolutely 'OMG' delighted to be here as part of the Steampunk festival,'' he said.
''I am absolutely unimpressed with the 30 hours in the air, but it has all been worth it, absolutely worth it, in just the little bit that I've seen so far.''
The Steampunk New Zealand Festival was first held in 2010 in a bid to establish Oamaru as the steampunk capital of New Zealand.
Now, it runs for four days with markets and music, feasting, racing of teapots, airships and magic carpets, short story and steampunk literary readings, workshops, dancing and ''much more madness''.
''The finest-dressed, the most fantastic sci-fi accessories and the most friendly, welcoming people, all having fun in the most natural Steampunk backdrop of Oamaru's Victorian architecture,'' Ms Jansen said.
''The highlight is the Fashion Show and to top it all a gala ball.''
Interest in the fashion show was growing each year.
Tickets for the 2015 event were almost sold out.
