Around 100 people gathered at the historic Snowy Rail Bridge on Saturday, July 18, for the annual Snowy Steampunk Soiree, marking one of the final celebrations of this year’s East Gippsland Winter Festival.
The themed evening, which saw attendees embrace Victorian-era science-fiction attire, coincided with the conclusion of the sixth annual East Gippsland Winter Festival.
The month-long regional festival wrapped up over the weekend, with organisers welcoming another successful season of events that drew both locals and visitors to the area.
In addition to celebrating winter and local creativity, the soiree served as a crucial fundraiser.
All proceeds raised from the evening will go directly toward supporting the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the landmark Snowy Rail Bridge.
Guests at the outdoor venue were treated to live music set against the backdrop of the illuminated bridge, with entertainment provided by local musical acts Smugglers Moon and Christina Christensen.
The event successfully highlighted the community’s ongoing dedication to preserving Orbost’s local heritage while celebrating the vibrant, creative culture of the East Gippsland region.
Further east, Cann River celebrated its own milestone with the running of the Cann Valley Winterfest on Saturday.
As the first event of its kind for the Cann River community, the Winterfest was held at the Cann River Community Centre.
The family-friendly event kept attendees entertained with a variety of market stalls, local food vendors, and an indoor movie screening to ward off the winter chill.
Both events showcased the diverse ways local communities have connected throughout the winter, marking a successful close to East Gippsland’s winter festivities.
