Cogs and Corsets Schedule
**Please note that the schedule is subject to change**
Friday, June 1, 2018
4pm–7pm
Registration/Welcome/Information Booth
Get your event program/map, pick up and purchase tickets for premium events.
4pm–11pm
Open Gaming
Join fellow gamers at Red Raccoon Games for open play of your favorites.
5:00pm
Downtown Promenade
We’ll start the evening’s festivities with a promenade through the downtown in our steampunk finery! Get the overview of the downtown shops, galleries and restaurants while you show off your best ensemble to the public. The promenade will begin and end at the Museum square; anyone dressed in steampunk clothing is welcome to join!
5pm–8pm
First Friday Activities
Sponsor: Downtown Bloomington Association
See and be seen strolling the downtown shops and galleries. Many visiting and local artists, in-store specials and Steampunk-themed fun! See list of galleries open.
Steampunk Market (Vendor area) open
Stroll our vendor area and shop for all manner of wonderful Steampunk accessories, handcrafts, tea, and so much more! Merchants and artists from all over the midwest will be showcasing their wares, helping you complete your perfect Steampunk ensemble.
Tintype Demonstrations
Collodion photographer Daniel Leocadi will be demonstrating his authentic 1860’s era camera and processing techniques that produce those gorgeous and haunting tintypes of ages past. Stop by and see how it’s done, and even schedule a sitting for your own portrait. Daniel will be set up at 105 W Jefferson St., right on the museum square.
Photo Op Open
Immortalize your best costumes against our backdrop, with professional photographers and photos made while you wait ($5, cash and carry)
5:30–7:30pm
Tea Dueling
Sponsor: McLean County Museum of History
Our Tiffin Master will preside over official Tea Dueling, allowing visitors to settle their spats like civilized folk: by dunking their biscuits in a hot cup of tea, and seeing who can be the last to complete a successful ‘nom’. Fun for all ages, and for participants and spectators alike.
9:00pm
Tesla Coil Demonstration
Not to be missed! Join us on top of the Monroe/Market parking garage where we’ll light up the night with a 7ft. tall TeslaCoil, based on authentic designs by Nikola himself. Weather dependent.
9:30–11:30pm
Sideshow Soiree
Premium ticketed event, 21+ only. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music and an exciting performance by Carnival Epsilon. Held at Reality on Monroe — a beautifully restored historic building in the heart of downtown.
Saturday, June 2, 2018
7am–noon
Farmers’ Market
While not an ‘official’ activity of Cogs & Corsets, we’d be remiss if we didn’t let you know that the Museum square will be filled with our nationally-recognized Farmers’ Market!
8am–3pm
Registration/Welcome/Information Booth
Get your event program/map, pick up and purchase tickets for premium events.
9am–4pm
Steampunk Market (Vendor area) open
Stroll our vendor area and shop for all manner of wonderful Steampunk accessories, handcrafts, tea, and so much more! Merchants and artists from all over the midwest will be showcasing their wares, helping you complete your perfect Steampunk ensemble.
Artist Studios and Galleries Open
Visit the many local galleries and artist studios in the area. Many will be hosting visiting artists and featuring steampunk-inspired works. Galleries open at 9am, closing times may vary.
Photo Op Open
Immortalize your best costumes against our backdrop, with professional photographers and photos made while you wait ($5, cash and carry)
9:30am–3:30pm
Tea Room Open
Sponsor: Beezer Family Honey
Relax in style in Lady Erika Jarden’s tea room, located in the beautifully restored 1903 courthouse (with air-conditioning!) Enjoy selections of fortifying tea, biscuits, and your delightful hostess, Lady Erika herself.
9:30–11:30am
Maker’s Faire Entries Accepted
Whether designed for altruistic purposes or nefarious, your steampunk invention, accessory or gadget belongs in our Makers’ Faire competition! Entry forms available here for download and at the Registration booth. Juried event with awards. Awards announced at noon at Inside Out Accessible Art.
9:30am
Promenade on the Square
Join in a stroll around the Museum square to celebrate the opening of the festival! Open to all costumed attendees.
10:00am
Workshops (every hour on the hour)
Your program guide will have final descriptions, times and locations. Last workshops will begin at 3pm.
David Davis Mansion Tour (#1)
Take a tour custom-designed for Cogs & Corsets’ attendees: This magnificent 1872 home’s mechanical and technological advancements will be highlighted, and fans of period furnishings and architecture will find treasures in every room.
10:00am–noon
S.T.E.A.M. Activities (East Lawn of the Museum Square)
The McLean County Museum of History and the Children’s Discovery Museum will be showcasing free, family-friendly, steam-powered activities, including: explore the science of flight by building your own ‘dirigible’ and racing it against others, watch your hair stand on end with our Van de Graaff generator, and many more S.T.E.A.M activities for enthusiasts of all ages.
11:00am
Mustache Contest
Whether villainous or handlebar, fluffy or sleek, if you think you have a mustache of magnificence, come see how it measures up to stiff competition! Free to enter, win prizes and bragging rights! Pre-judging at 11am, awards at 11:30.
11:30am–1pm
Vrooman Mansion Tea — Chicago World’s Fair Edition
First of two seatings. A ‘formal low tea’ with the Tea Ladies, at the exquisite Vrooman Mansion. This tea will be themed for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Many new and exciting foods were being introduced at this time because of fast-changing technology, so the foods you’ll get to experience will be reflective of that. No one will leave hungry, we guarantee it! The presentation will highlight the fabulous goings-on at the World’s Fair (including that Tesla fellow’s work) and you’ll also get a first-floor tour of the mansion with a brief history.
Noon
Carnival Epsilon busking
Catch glimpses of this traveling troupe of performers around downtown, showing their skills and feats of wonder! Full performance at 2pm.
Makers’ Faire Winner Announcements
See whose gadgets were judged the winners for this year’s competition! All entries on display and awards presentation at Inside Out Accessible Art
12:30pm
Pre-judging for Costume Contest
Enter your finest costume and walk the runway! Emceed event with awards, including Crowd Favorite. Entry form available here for download and at the Registration booth.
David Davis Mansion Tour (#2)
Take a tour custom-designed for Cogs & Corsets’ attendees: This magnificent 1872 home’s mechanical and technological advancements will be highlighted, and fans of period furnishings and architecture will find treasures in every room.
1:30pm
Costume Contest Runway Show
Come admire the creative and entertaining outfits that make Steampunk such a spectacle! Cheer on your friends and favorites as they walk the runway competing for coveted awards, and perhaps even get some great ideas for your next ensemble!
1:30–3:30pm
S.T.E.A.M. Activities (Center St.)
The McLean County Museum of History and the Children’s Discovery Museum will be showcasing free, family-friendly, steam-powered activities, including: explore the science of flight by building your own ‘dirigible’ and racing it against others, watch your hair stand on end with our Van de Graaff generator, and many more S.T.E.A.M activities for enthusiasts of all ages.
2pm
Carnival Epsilon Performance
Nationally-known traveling performance troupe, Carnival Epsilon, will perform on the square for the delight and amazement of all. Fire-eaters, sword swallowers, and feats of strength, skill and freakishness will abound. It’s fun, it’s entertaining and it’s even a little shocking!
2pm–3:30pm
Vrooman Mansion Tea — Chicago World’s Fair Edition
Second of two seatings. A ‘formal low tea’ with the Tea Ladies, at the exquisite Vrooman Mansion. This tea will be themed for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Many new and exciting foods were being introduced at this time because of fast-changing technology, so the foods you’ll get to experience will be reflective of that. No one will leave hungry, we guarantee it! The presentation will highlight the fabulous goings-on at the World’s Fair (including that Tesla fellow’s work) and you’ll also get a first-floor tour of the mansion with a brief history.
2:30pm–4pm
Splendid Teapot Racing
Bring your teapot racer and attempt to conquer the Ramp of Doom, Tunnel of Terror and other obstacles in this timed, highly entertaining competition! Emceed event with awards. Entry forms available at Registration booth.
5–7pm
Murder Mystery Dinner
First of two seatings. The St. Louis Mystery Theatre troupe leads the fun. Deduce whodunit while enjoying a delicious buffet dinner in an historic downtown venue. The best solutions to the mystery get prizes and bragging rights!
6:30pm–midnight
Open Gaming
Your fellow gamers will be gathering at Red Raccoon games for some late-night play of your favorites. Come make some new friends ’round the tables!
8–10pm
Murder Mystery Dinner
Second of two seatings. The St. Louis Mystery Theatre troupe leads the fun. Deduce whodunit while enjoying a delicious buffet dinner in an historic downtown venue. The best solutions to the mystery get prizes and bragging rights!
11:00pm
Steampunk Drag Show
What else can we say? This is where Steampunk styling goes beyond splendid into fabulous! The Bistro, Bloomington’s premier alternative bar and live performance venue brings you Sharon Sharealike’s stunning drag performers for a night to remember. Tickets can be purchased at the door (316 N. Main St.) and are not included in VIP packages.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
9am–2pm
Steampunk Market (Vendor area) open
10am
Vrooman Mansion Brunch
Back by popular demand: End your Cogs & Corsets weekend with an elegant plated brunch in this 1869 historic mansion turned Bed & Breakfast.
10am–1pm
Tea Room Open
Sponsor: Beezer Family Honey
Relax in style in Lady Erika Jarden’s tea room, located in the beautifully restored 1903 courthouse (with air-conditioning!) Enjoy selections of fortifying tea, biscuits, and your delightful hostess, Lady Erika herself.
10am–2pm
Activities at the Museum (East Lawn)
- Croquet
- Ice Cream truck
- Photo op area open
- Demonstrations
11am–12:30pm
Splendid Teapot (Open Play)
The races may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try your hand at maneuvering a teapot over the obstacles! Challenge a friend to a time trial, or just test your skills on the course.
11am–1pm
Food trucks
Sample the delicious wares of various local food trucks. There’s something for everyone from our street food gourmets!
