The Goldfields Gothic Festival took place last weekend and was once again a perfectly sombre, solemn and melancholy event; attendees had a wonderful time and the organisers declared it a success!
A new team of community volunteers managed the festival this year after the original founders and committee handed over the reins, following successful events in 2022 and 2023, in order to pursue other projects. Under the steam of Peter Thompson and a number of key helpers — including Sasha Cuha, Gabrielle Kelly and a crew wearing top hats — most of the main events in 2024 took place at the Maldon Vintage Machinery and Museum.
Saturday’s market attracted an array of weird and wonderful products and people. Historians, poets, doll enthusiasts and artists all explored the dark side of humanity, real and imagined, in nooks around town.
A fashion parade saw the most glamorous of goths saunter, swagger or slink along Main Street to applause and admiration. (It was amusing to notice a few oblivious visitors observing, wondering what they had stumbled across).
In the evening, the shadows seemed alive at the Machinery Museum, which had transformed into a moody party venue with live music from a number of bands playing into the night.
Sunday morning offered sunny weather for a hearse parade featuring funereal vehicles, odd and old. A communal picnic under the trees by the Beehive Chimney seemed charming until the murderous lyrics of the accompanying folk musicians came into focus.
As the last of the black petticoats and leather pants swished away on Sunday evening, the Machinery Museum became a centre for uncomfortable conversations. The TEDx speakers were thought-provoking, provocative and occasionally hilarious.
At the end of it all, Peter Thompson reflected on a weekend of hard work and was quick to share the credit for a fantastic festival. “I’m so proud of our community for getting behind it; it’s great for our town to have that influx of people,” he said. “Watch this space for next year!”
See all the pictures from the event in the issue.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 9 August 2024.
