Stonefield: Wild West Steampunk Festival to recall 1880s

Media Contact: Allen Schroeder
Museum Director
Stonefield Historic Site
Office 608-987-2122

Tombstone, Ariz., Friday through Sunday, May 23-25, in Cassville

For three days in May the streets of Stonefield in Cassville will be transformed into 1880s Tombstone, Ariz., as the Wisconsin Historical Society historic site celebrates its first-ever Stonefield Wild West Steampunk Festival. The event begins Friday, May 23, and runs through Sunday, May 25.

Heroes and villains of the Old West will occupy the village throughout the festival. Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp, armed with guns, will make their stand as the Clanton cowboys try to wrest control of Tombstone. Historical accuracy aside, Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley will join the Earps to defend the town. Visitors will see the plot unfold, watch amazing feats of bravery and cheer on their favorite villain or hero.

Learn about the weapons that won the West, or talk to the men and women who built the latest in steampunk weapons and widgets. This is your chance to become a real part of the action. Walk the streets of the village, shop the dozens of shops, and visit the Country Fair and Market.

The event won’t be all shootouts, though. Friday will feature an old-fashioned hootenanny from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by a square dance from 8 to 11 p.m. The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday with a tea at the Nelson Dewey home site from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and a Buffalo Bill Wild West Show will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. A dinner at the Dewey house from 6 to 7 p.m. will be followed by a grand ball from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

On Sunday the day begins at 10 a.m. with a staged bank robbery from 10:30 to 11 a.m., tea at the Dewey House from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and a re-creation of the Gunfight at O.K. Corral from 2 to 3 p.m.

General admission is $50; tea $20; Saturday one-day tickets $38; Sunday one-day tickets $30. Society members receive half-price or free admission depending upon their membership levels. For complete details visit Stonefield’s website at stonefieldhistoricsite.org or call Stonefield at 608-987-2122.