Whether you call it an extravaganza in its own right or a preview of Steampunk Snowdown 2015, the Discovery Museum’s Steampunk Stomp was a sight to behold.

There was plenty of entertainment, which I’ll get to in a moment, but it was worth going just to see the costumes people had created. Wow, what a talented town.

A number of people were there just investigating what steampunk is as they start thinking about Snowdown. The way it was described to me was it’s how Victorians thought the future would look à la H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. Another example is the 1960s television show “Wild, Wild West,” where two Secret Service agents solve crimes using all kinds of gizmos. (I didn’t catch the 1999 movie of the same name, so I don’t know how steampunkish it was.)

There are lots of directions to go with steampunk. Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West shows, which toured in England and Europe, were immensely popular with Victorians, so anything Western works. Throw in looks such as aviator (or perhaps hot air balloon pilot), the great white hunter, sexy Victorian (lots of corsets and fishnet stockings), historic Victorian and whatever other looks fertile imaginations can create, and you may get why steampunk everything continues to grow on a national level with conventions, clubs and parties.

The judges for the costume contest had their work cut out for them. After they selected the finalists, the 300 or so attendees voted by acclamation for their favorites. It was a tight race. On the men’s side, Brandon Walter took home the Ska Brewing gift card for his Phineas T. Fogg outfit, which included a robotic arm, goggles and lots of bells and whistles. (Phileas T. Fogg is David Niven’s character in “Around the World in 80 days, another source for steampunk inspiration.) He said his costume has evolved over the last three years of the Steampunk Stomp, and it helps that he’s a “nerd.”

For the women, Cindy Iacovetto’s costume was one-of-kind, and I’m not sure where to start to describe it. Dubbed RobustaRita, it took three months to make and used all recycled items. It included a mask, sleeves that looked like air ducts and tons of details, including a lit-up parasol. It did not, however, look all that comfortable, so she departed shortly after the contest.

There were so many great details, it’s hard to know what to pick out for special mention. The folks who work at the museum all went for it. Ashley Hein, who organizes its special events, converted her mother’s cream-colored prom dress with a nod to Victoriana. She had a small plastic skull, which normally sits on her desk, attached to her shoulder and was wearing a fabulous peacock-feather fascinator (small hat) that a friend had made for her when Hein went to a Lady Gaga concert.

India Mejia-Giudici really took a creative turn, cutting a hole in the bottom of a basket, which she wore around her midriff, with a balloon attached painted to look like a hot air balloon. Todd Macon, whose wife, Brenda, is a source of great creativity for the party, sported arguably the best jacket, a houndstooth decorated with leather around the yoke that gave it an aviator feel.

He got it at Village Junction Antiques in Gem Village, owned by Jeannie Stewart. The Stewart family were all there and dressed to pitch their wares. Marcia Stewart’s satin bloomers instead of a skirt looked like a great idea for folks who want their Victorian with a dash of comfort, her sister-in-law Candace Dial made a number of the mini-top hats spotted on women’s heads, and Dial’s sister Crystal Ross specializes in creating goggles. (Futuristic goggles are a mainstay of steampunk.)

Bill Carver had perhaps the best accessory, a mini-sundial on his wrist instead of a watch.

Papa Otis and the Silent Film Stars provided live music for the first part of the evening, and DJ Southside Steve picked it up after the showcased entertainment, the Mataholla Moon Belly Dancers and Miss Goodies Can-Can Review.

The stomp marked the début of the can-can girls, who came together in October to use entertainment to teach history. It took 70 to 90 hours to make each of their costumes, and they had several song-and-dance numbers, incorporating some Sophie Tuckerish humor into the fun.

The girls included Jennifer Craig as Miss Adelaide Carson, Wednesday Smith as Lady Mae Weston, Dawn Hamilton as Lady Valentina Ironclad, Gayle Owen as Cerise Carter, Trixie DuBois, who said her stage name is way better than her given name, Lenore Thatcher as Sophia Tucker and Daphne Quinn as Miss Amelia. (I may be missing one, so I apologize, but taking notes in the noise and madness was crazy.)

Miss Goodies is the inspiration of Loreli Thayer, who says the group is also working on Roaring 20’s and Moulin Rouge-themed acts. Their goal is to help area nonprofits raise money. Let’s just say the smartphone and video cameras were shooting like mad during their performance.

Jimmy Nicholson of Durangourmet once again delighted. On the menu were a raw oyster bar, shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare in cucumber cups, beef skewers, a variety of canapés including prosciutto-wrapped artichoke hearts and rasperry-almond curls topped with chocolate mousse and mini-blueberry cobblers.

Volunteer bartenders Pam Glasco, Deahna Geehan and Joannie Fraughton were hopping serving the Zeppelin (Moscow mules renamed for the occasion) and Tesla Tonics, a vodka concoction flavored with mint, along with the standard beer and wine.

Monica Bhadki predicted the future using tarot cards, and Gianni Coria’s very steampunkish paintings were for sale in the theater, where Drew Semel from IlluminArts Photography captured many of the partygoers in all their splendor.

Also in the theater was a display reminiscent of Victorian curiosity cabinets. The Victorians delighted in traveling the world to collect botanical and scientific specimens, and who else but the Discovery Museum could mimic that fascination?

Kudos to Hein’s and Brenda Macon’s cohorts in creating such a splendiferous do, Lillie Buchanan, Claudia Martinez, Danielle “Bio-Diesel Dagger” Ghear (bet there’s a good story behind that nickname), Sarah Gleason and Nathan Schmidt.

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Happy first birthdays of spring wishes go to Loretta Beam, Tamara Volz, Kathie Bowers, Geri Mullligan, Billie Gardner, Conor Nelson, Annemarie Nobman, Dan Hopper, Mary Richards, Krystal Gunkelman, Janet Enge, Joseph Toledo, Jim Robertson, Glenn Rodey, Mary Brown, Joan Brown, Grey Bopp, Jeremy Dugan, Barry Latham, Marty Sheppard and Jake Bourdon.

Here’s to one of Durango’s most generous-of-spirit ladies, Buff Rogers, on her special day.

And to Beverly Darmour, special greetings on the occasion of her 90th birthday. She is one of my favorite people and one of Durango’s great ladies.

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Daffodils are emerging from their winter slumber for the anniversaries of John and Vi Kessell, Gordon Cheesewright and Diane Calfas, Tim and Diane Williams, Bill and Pam Brown, Ace and Mary Lou Hall and John and Denise Krispin.

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