Ruby's Scarlet O'Hatters of Allentown, members of the Red Hat Society, surround Batman (Matt Marciano, from Stewartsville, who crafted his entire
steampunk-style costume). The O'Hatters are (l-r) Doris Stine, Susann Madara (aka Queen Busy Bee, who started the chapter), Doreen Kress, Millie Friend, and Filomena McGlade. Photo by Cathy Miller.
To quote Monty Python (surreal and steampunk-y themselves), “And now for something completely different”: A few hours at Belvidere’s Victorian Days on Sept. 7 and a camera loaded with People of the Week!
The town of Belvidere was established in 1845, and the festival’s goal has always been to present the best of that era. The very first Victorian Day took place in 1987, and expanded to two days in 1996. The festival went on hiatus in 2017 after 29 years, but with a new committee heading it up, returned in 2018 to celebrate its 30th year with all the traditional attractions and period-specific entertainment: historic home tours, teas on their porches, cemetery tours, old-fashioned fashion shows, Civil War reenactments, horse and carriage rides, classic cars, and vendors of both food and goods. There were even a few twists – Victorian-style cotillion dance, plein air art competition, incorporation of steampunk (a quirky 1800s vision of the future) creations, costumes and music, author’s grove, and several live musical performances, along with an expanded kid zone with child-centric vendors and games, including a tea party, storyteller, behemoth bubbles, and a flea circus. It all took place, as always, in and around Garret D. Wall Park in Belvidere. Marking its 31st anniversary this past weekend, 2019 was even bigger and better! Let’s take a look, shall we?
Colleen O’Neill with her husband Adam Cohen, from Oxford. They are wearing their steampunk wedding finery, having tied the knot on April 28 at Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Photo by Cathy Miller.
JoAnn Robinson, from Stillwater, left, with Christina Malcolm from Blairstown (who sewed the family’s attire), Victoria, 5, and Scott, 22 months. Photo by Cathy Miller.
Teaghan Spielman, 2, from Stroudsburg, dons a tiara for the tea party. Photo by Cathy Miller.
Frank and Maria Hadley from Long Valley. Photo by Cathy Miller.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Santino, from Blairstown, colors during Victorian Days. Photo by Cathy Miller.
Professor Adam Smasher (l) and The Baron Von Zipple (r), aka The Eternal Frontier, are “indigenous to New Jersey, but perform in California, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Vermont and beyond.” Photo by Cathy Miller.
Simon “Steam Baby” Cohen, 7, from Oxford, said he’s very happy to be back to school because he got the teacher he wanted. He was at the festivities with his parents (pictured above) and grandpa, Dan “Steam Dad” O’Neill. Photo by Cathy Miller.
Tara Howanice, of the Jefferson Township Museum, shaded herself with a lacy parasol. Photo by Cathy Miller.
A family that cosplays together stays together: The Kosciolek family from Blairstown, l-r, Gwen, 13; mom Sandy Roberts; Caitie, 16; and dad Steve. Photo by Cathy Miller
The Riddler, Owen Gately, 15, a sophomore at Belvidere High School, walked through the crowd with a special wooden box filled with riddles inside. Children picked a riddle and if they answered correctly, they won a prize. Photo by Cathy Miller.
What a fun event and a great way to celebrate Belvidere. We had a great time!