The idea is the brainchild of Dimboola Imaginarium owner and festival organiser Chan Uoy, who wants to activate the town's nightlife.

Dimboola's Steampunk Street Party will be a chance for locals and visitors to dress up and party, with music, art exhibitions, and a foodie's night market.

Mr Uoy said he hopes people in the Wimmera "let their imagination run wild", with the event scheduled for September 4.

"It is about realising and building on the momentum of tourism in the area," he said.

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"It boils down to promoting the area. Let's give them a show. And what a show it would be - all of the Dimboola is lit up, people are in whimsical costumes, and you have to feed the people so that is where the night market comes in."

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction incorporating a Victorian-era aesthetic.

Mr Uoy said the Wimmera had many 19th century buildings and saw the steampunk aesthetic to celebrate the region's history in an interesting way.

"When I look at Dimboola and most country towns in the Wimmera I see beautiful architecture from the 19th century. I know that when nightfall comes nothing happens, there is no activation," he said.

"Steampunk, I would describe as all of the elements of the 19th century but throw in a bit of imagination. So, in this case, it would be science fiction because that is where it originated from, as a literary genre of science fiction.

"With steampunk you combine 19th century fashion with science fiction and imagination. So I kind of bring it up to the 21st century where it can be playful and cool."

The Steampunk Street Party will also mark the launch of the Ten Bag Press' Wimmera book, a follow-up to the publisher's highly-celebrated 'Mallee' book.

Beyond the street party and night market, towns from across the Wimmera will have stalls celebrating local produce and talents.

A contingent from Kaniva will be exhibiting a marquee with items from the puppet shop and goods from Heartfelt cafe.

Rupanyup Home Living and the Wimmera Grain Store will also join forces and showcase the area's produce.

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"I thought that it is not every day that a coffee table book about the Wimmera comes out. So it is about seizing the moment to make it quite special.

"Turn it into a celebration, not just a normal launch at a normal book launch - because I know that there will not be another Wimmera book coming out any time soon.

"It is a beautiful book, it warrants a celebration and also warrants acknowledging that the Wimmera is a special place. So I thought let's turn this into a celebration, I thought it was a great opportunity to tie it into the steampunk vision I had of Dimboola."

The event will also feature an exhibition from alternative costume designers Hillary Willowsmith and Marie Gater.

Proceeds raised from the exhibition will go towards the Royal Flying Doctors Service and men's mental health support.

Ms Willowsmith has hosted two costume exhibitions in the Wimmera since she moved up from Melbourne.

She said the two causes the money will go towards are close to her heart.

"All of the money that will be raised will go toward those two causes. I have my volunteers that helped me set up and they didn't want me to do it again," she said.

"So I am very lucky. I am very privileged to live in the Wimmera, and if I can give back to the community then I am happy to do so."

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