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The SWFL Steampunk and Fantasy Convention returns to the German-American Club of Cape Coral on March 28 as two unique worlds collide for one event. PROVIDED
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The SWFL Steampunk and Fantasy Convention returns to the German-American Club of Cape Coral on March 28 as two unique worlds collide for one event. PROVIDED
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Southwest Floridians can take a step back to a bygone era and learn about the supernatural next weekend in Cape Coral.
The SWFL Steampunk and Fantasy Convention returns to the German American Club of Cape Coral on March 28 as two unique worlds collide for one event.
Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the main ballroom will be a portal to a Victorian-era future, where attendees can explore a vibrant indoor Steampunk and Fantasy convention. The day will be filled with creative activities and vendors, including: Splendid Teapot Racing, Parasol Dueling, Tea Dueling, Hamster Wars, Costume Contests, and more.
“It’s a day where imagination and mystery collide,” said Michelle Wassall, captain of Nexus9, the entity that put on the event. “You can watch teapot racing and costume dealing in one room and then hear world-class paranormal experts in the next room. It’s going to be creative, curious, family-friendly, and it’s going to be a one-of-a-kind event for Southwest Florida.”
For those drawn to the unexplained, the adjoined bar will transform into a hub of discovery. This conference will feature powerful talks from leading experts on paranormal activities, UFOs, aliens, and metaphysics.
This year’s featured guest is John Zaffis, the renowned “Godfather of the Paranormal” and star of the TV show “Haunted Collector.” He will share his decades of experience and insights with attendees.
“We had him as a speaker at a previous show and it was very active,” Wassall said. “The people enjoyed, talking to him and asking him questions, and he’s got a lot of experience.”
Supernatural talks include:
n 10:30-11:15 a.m. – UFO’s & Supernatural Q&A with Robert Robinson
n 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Phyllis Csaszar discusses Psychic powers – Inside the workings of a Psychic
n 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Q&A with John Zaffis, Star of the Haunted Collector
n 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. – Christopher Balzano Discusses the most Haunted spots in Fort Myers and SouthWest Florida
n 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Thomas Lockyear Discusses Legends & Lore of the Everglades” Ochopee Skunk Ape, the Ox Woman, the Phantoms of Flight 401
n 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Q & A with John Zaffis, Star of the Haunted Collector
n 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. – R.M. Rose Leads UFO Discussion
In the ballroom throughout the day, attendees can take to the tiny hats crafting station, photography with Lady In Pink Photography, and speak with merchants, artists, authors, and special guests.
There will also be a table set up with MUFON representatives, the world’s largest and oldest civilian UFO investigation and research network.
“I think people are interested in the mystery of the unknown or just the questions of the unknown and that maybe there’s something bigger out there — the thought of something different out there, bigger out there, something different,” Wassall said.
As for the parasol and cane dueling, Hamster Wars, tea dueling, teapot racing and more, Wassall said, “Those are just fun, whimsical steampunk-themed activities that people can participate in or just take and just watch to enjoy.”
Always popular will be the costumes and characters individuals dress up as for these events.
“It’s a lot of fun to see the costumes that people make, and it really helps create the event’s atmosphere,” Wassall said. “And the creativity is just off the charts. People will build the entire characters from scratch and they’ll mix Victorian fashion gears, gadgets, and fantasy elements in sci-fi twists. A lot of the people that come in costumes, they have a story to go behind it, or they invent a whole character and go along with it. It’ll be all ages, so we see kids dress up, we see grandparents dressed up, we see it’s not just a costume for the young folk, but we see it’s a thing for all ages to enjoy.”
Tickets are $10 for adults and children 12 and under get in free with one paid adult admission ($5 for additional children tickets). Free, on-site parking is available.
Nexus9 LLC was founded in May 2016 and is composed of avid readers, science fiction lovers and dreamers.
For more information and tickets, visit www.swflsteamcon.com.
The German American Social Club is at 2101 SW Pine Island Road.