Welcome, intrepid inventors, dastardly rogues, and curious tinkerers, to the Triumvirate of Eccentric Excellence at our Steampunk Renaissance Faire! This trio of competitions celebrates the wild, the whimsical, and the wonderfully weird. Join us on to compete for glory, prizes, and a chance to be named among the faire’s most eccentric exemplars. Enter one, two, or all three contests—those bold enough to tackle the full Triumvirate will earn a special ribbon as an Eccentric Exemplar! Read on for the details, and prepare to unleash your steampunk spirit.
The Order of the Steam-Bearded Gentry: Facial Hair Competition
Step into the ranks of the Order of the Steam-Bearded Gentry, where magnificent whiskers reign supreme. Whether you sport a full beard worthy of a mad inventor or a mustache fit for an airship captain, this contest honors the art of facial hair with a steampunk twist. Inspired by the grand traditions of Victorian grooming and the flair of steampunk gatherings, this is your chance to prove your follicles are the finest in the land!
Rules
- Eligibility: Open to all attendees with natural facial hair (no fake beards or mustaches allowed).
- Categories:
- The Inventor’s Mane: Best full beard—think volume, texture, and steampunk styling (gears or braids welcome).
- The Airship Captain’s Mustache: Best mustache—focus on shape and flair (curls encouraged, but no hair beyond 1.5 cm past the mouth corners counts).
- The Gadgeteer’s Goatee: Best sculpted goatee or partial beard—precision and creativity rule.
- The Steam-Powered Freestyle: Wildcard for any facial hair styled with steampunk props (e.g., tiny goggles, copper wiring)—originality is key.
- Judging Criteria:
- 40% Creativity (steampunk theme integration).
- 30% Grooming (neatness and hair health).
- 30% Presentation (how it complements your costume and persona).
- Props: Small, non-functional steampunk accessories (e.g., gears, feathers) are allowed but must be securely attached.
- Judging: A panel of three Esteemed Gentlebeings scores entries. Audience applause breaks ties.
The Cackle of the Cogsworth Cabal: Evil Laugh Competition
Unleash your inner villain in the Cackle of the Cogsworth Cabal, where the most sinister guffaws take center stage. Picture a shadowy league of steampunk ne’er-do-wells, each vying to out-cackle the rest with theatrical menace. This contest is your chance to channel a mad scientist, a rogue automaton, or a top-hatted tyrant—bring your best evil laugh and let it echo through the faire!
Rules
- Eligibility: Open to all attendees, solo or in pairs (for a maniacal duet).
- Format:
- Each contestant gets 30 seconds to deliver their most sinister, steampunk-infused laugh.
- Handheld, safe props (e.g., a monocle, a fake ray gun) are allowed to enhance your performance.
- Judging Criteria:
- 40% Malevolence (how evil and unhinged it sounds).
- 30% Steampunk Flair (Victorian or mechanical touches, like hissing steam sounds).
- 30% Delivery (volume, clarity, and theatricality).
- Rounds:
- Preliminary: All entrants perform; top 5 advance based on judges’ scores.
- Final: Top 5 perform again; winner chosen by audience vote (applause or raised hands).
- Judging: A Council of Nefarious Contraptors (three costumed judges) scores the prelims; the crowd crowns the victor.
The Bazaar of Bizarre Bargains: Oddest Under-$20 Find
Dare to dive into the Bazaar of Bizarre Bargains, a tongue-in-cheek treasure hunt for the strangest trinket you can snag for under $20! We’re not looking for the priciest or the prettiest—just the most peculiar gem you’ve unearthed from a thrift shop, flea market, or dusty corner store. Bring your oddity to the faire and regale us with its tale—because in steampunk, the weirder, the better!
Rules
- Eligibility: Open to all attendees with an item purchased for $20 or less (receipt or proof encouraged but not required).
- Requirements:
- Item must be tangible (no digital goods) and safe to display (no sharp edges or hazards).
- Must be something you legally bought—grandma’s attic doesn’t count!
- Judging Criteria:
- 40% Oddity (how unusual or unexpected it is).
- 30% Story (the tale of how you found it—embellish for fun!).
- 30% Steampunk Vibes (bonus if it fits the aesthetic, but not required).
- Presentation: You get 1 minute to show off your find and tell its story to the judges.
- Judging: A Consortium of Curious Collectors (three judges) picks the winner based on sheer eccentricity.
Prizes
- The winner receives a Bazaar Baron’s Bauble (a quirky gear-trimmed trophy) and bragging rights as the faire’s savviest scavenger.
From a rubber chicken with goggles to a wind-up toy octopus, bring us your bargain-bin oddities—we can’t wait to see what you’ve discovered!
Join the Triumvirate!
These three contests form the Triumvirate of Eccentric Excellence, a celebration of steampunk’s most delightfully offbeat souls. Enter one for fun, two for fame, or all three to become an Eccentric Exemplar with a special ribbon to flaunt. Sign up at the faire, don your finest goggles, and let your eccentricity shine on March 24, 2025. See you there, you magnificent weirdos!