— Goggles, gadgets and corsets abounded Saturday at Historic Speedwell in Morristown as the International Steampunk City set up shop for the weekend.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that typically features retro-futuristic technology of a 19th-century-esque world that never was. Steam-powered machinery, clockwork gadgets and a Victorian-era fashion sense, often but not always, figure into enthusiasts' style.

Or, as Jeff Mach, festival organizer, describes it: "Steampunk is an endless field of imagination just barely contained by a semi-pseudo-Victorian-era-esque genre," Mach said.

To Shashanka Menard of Queens, N.Y., it's the individual craftsmanship of the genre that's so appealing. You don't just buy a costume, he said, you make it yourself.

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Sean MacMorris, of Ocean Grove, said he usually participates in Civil War reenactments, but enjoyed the freedom of steampunk.

Civil War reenactments have to stick to history, he said, but with steampunk "you get to think about what could have been."

Trevor Kennedy, though, had different reasons for being at the festival.

"I just like seeing the women dressed up in (Victorian) period outfits," Kennedy said.

The weekend-long festival features musicians and entertainers, shopping for gadgets, gizmos and clothing, several discussions and workshops, and demonstrations of crafts and trades.

After expenses, Mach said, proceeds of the festival will be donated to Historic Speedwell.

Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for children 4 to 16. Children under 4 are admitted free. For more information, call 973 285-6550 or visit

. Historic Speedwell is located on 333 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown.