I didn't know anything about the Lithgow Ironfest or heard the term "Steampunk" until this encounter. And as we were there only about three hours I still don't quite understand what it's about. Lithgow's history is big on iron and steel, and had a munitions factory once; that may explain the interest in fake battles complete with uniforms and noise and smoke. They do that well without taking it too seriously. And the blacksmithing can be explained the same way. But the trebuchet? And where does the interest in medieval history come from, and chain mail, and fancy costumes? How did they get a real hurdy-gurdy and learn to play it? Lithgow must have some very interesting people.