Save Our Steampunk Festival!
I've tried different versions of this, but nothing really seems as effective as a post I wrote for the Bellingham Steampunk Society. So here it is:
I've been thinking about the sad fate of SteamCon.
Specifically about a conversation between Scott Pratschner and Kevin D. Steil, about how if the folks at SteamCon had just let people know, we all could have pitched in and helped.
Which got me thinking about my own handling of the GoFundMe campaign for our Fairhaven Steampunk Festival~Mr. Flip's Carnival of Wonders & Curiosities. I'd talked a lot about all our wonderful plans, how hard we're working to bring you a great festival this year, the crowdfunding rewards. But what I didn't get across was how much we need your help.
Because, yeah, a lot of people are donating their time, talent and energy to Mr. Flip's. But we can't do it if we don't have the money to rent the Village Green.
Without the Village Green-without a physical venue to take place-we have no festival. No place to walk around showing off your Steampunk finery, no place for vendors, for music, for performers. Mr. Flip's would go the way of SteamCon, and end up a bunch of photos and memories of the past two years. We need your help to keep that from happening.
The good news is, between our rummage sale and some wonderful donors, we've already raised $335. We're almost half way there.
But we need your help to raise the rest of it.
1) The remainder of the Village Green fee.
2) The small percentage charged by GoFundMe and their partner WePay, who handle the transactions.
3) The rewards were donated, though some of the materials were covered. We went the extra mile to keep those costs low.
Every dollar helps. If you can pitch in $1, $2, $3 or $4, please do. If you can help with $5 or more we have some great thank you gifts.
While thank you gifts are fun, of course they're not the point. We couldn't save SteamCon, but we can save the Steampunk Festival right here in our own back yard.
So please join us to Save Our Steampunk Festival, and bring Mr. Flip's back to Bellingham for a third fantastical year!
$5~A quarter pound of delicious, homemade chocolate fudge. Many people have called this the best fudge they've ever tasted. Plus, this is the only fudge that when you buy it, you also get a Steampunk Festival. Please pick up your fudge at one of our socials, or at the festival. If we mailed these it would cost $3 a pop. We'd be paying the post office instead of paying for the Village Green. This fudge was made with loving care and donated by Phillip R Livingston. 24 available.
$5~Steampunk bookmark, personalized with your name, pseudonym, or favorite quote. We have 10 of these, donated by Livingston's Arcane Workshop.
$20~Your choice of ANY picture in the Livingston's Arcane Workshop online gallery, as a beautifully matted print. Follow this link:
http://www.daportfolio.com/493591
And choose anything in the 'Color' or 'Black & White, Sepia' galleries. Below are some examples. After you click the donation button leave a comment telling us your choice. 5 available.
$25~Handcrafted Steampunk Goggles donated by Raw Steam. Creations sure to amaze! The pictures are examples. Actual goggles will vary, since they are handmade. Only 2 of these available, so get them while you can!
$35~Compass/Sundial Wristband. The compass/sundial is a working device in solid brass. The wristband is handcrafted leather with a metal buckle. This is another special low price for Society members. Only 2 of these available. They were introduced at last year's festival and sold out! Donated by Livingston's Arcane Workshop.
UPDATE: We've added 2 more.
