I am a new resident of Attleboro, but a longtime history lover, museum nerd (in the best sense of the term), and steampunk aficionado. Attleboro is a beautiful city with an extremely walkable downtown, train access, and an amazing, vibrant, global and interesting industrial history.

I don’t have a car, so when I need to go to the library, the YMCA, or a grocery store, it’s time to hoof it. As I spent months walking around the downtown, I admired the architecture of the brick buildings, including the many factories, thought about the presentations and displays in the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum, and enjoyed the lovely and vibrant Attleboro Public Library, nestled right next to the Balfour Riverwalk Park, I couldn’t help but think that this area is perfect for a steampunk festival.

Not only is the location beautiful, historied, and, well, pretty darn convenient for a festival (lots of parking, and a train station), there is also a wonderful active community in Attleboro of families and organizers that make other great events; two great examples are the Attleboro Farmers Market and the Attleboro Expo, which were big hits with my family last year.

All these things stewed around in my head this past year and finally in August I thought, “Oh, just go for it!” and wrote a grant to the Attleboro Cultural Council, which to my amazement, delight, and edification, they approved!

So here we are, thanks to the Attleboro Cultural Council, Attleboro Public Library, Ezekiel Bates Lodge Masons, the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum, Attleboro Parks Commission, and finally the Attleboro Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and their support of a wild idea, that we are going to make a reality on Saturday, October 28, 2017. I’ll see you there!

—Heather Rockwood, Festival Director