Ironfest – A Great Day Out

Lithgow has hosted Ironfest for about fifteen years now and we have only been once before, probably about ten years ago.  It started out being mainly blacksmiths, some war stuff and jousting.

Since then it has expanded and there has been an added dimension, in the way of steam punk.  All the other features are still there as well. So we have medieval, middle ages, Napoleonic wars, World War Two, blacksmithing, gypsies, steam punk, music, food, you name it.  The main thing is that is that so many people dress up and take a lot of trouble over their outfits.  Half the fun is the people watching.

Saturday is the main day, but we were at the Bathurst Show, so attended on the Sunday, which was still fantastic.  Enjoy the colour of the day.

The Battle of Lithgow

  All styles of anvils

Blacksmiths hard at work.

WWII

All sorts of characters.

Victorian Steam Punk

What a way to travel.

How do kids “torcha” a hardened medieval hangman?  “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”  Works every time. 

The butterfly wings were handcrafted by the Victorian gentleman.  They even open and close using the butterfly shaped key. Check out the workmanship in the leather arm brace. Clever, clever, clever.

Even robots were featured.

We had never heard a hurdy-gurdy played before and the lady playing it was so very informative about the instrument and the music they played.

Let’s go shopping.

Watch out for those knights.  There was even a tower in the background.

Give a kid a sword and they will have great fun.

Wandering entertainers kept us all amused.

Medieval crafts were interesting.

More colourful characters.

There were even autumn leaves to kick.

The weather had been delightful all day and we just arrived home in time to get the washing off the line before the rain started.

If ever you get the chance to visit Ironfest, do so.  There is just so much to see and who doesn’t love a fancy dress party.