10 Fun Things to See and Do at Maker Faire Kansas City

This weekend, June 27 and 28, at historic Kansas City Union Station, marks the sixth annual Maker Faire Kansas City. Through the tireless efforts of the organizing team, led by Jerry Baber (and the continued support of founding sponsors Kaufmann Foundation), the event has grown and flourished exponentially over the last five years.

This year’s gathering is guaranteed to be the biggest and best one yet. We connected with organizers Margaret Hoang and Luis Rodriguez to get the inside scoop on the top 10 must-see projects, workshops, and events at this year’s Maker Faire Kansas City. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Dunk Tank Flambé (Two Bit Circus!)

Experience this jaw-dropping reimagined version of the classic dunk tank attraction. Instead of being dropped into a harmless tank of water, the brave soul who dares to enter the Dunk Tank Flambé will be engulfed head to toe in flames when the ball-tosser successfully hits the target. Also, enjoy their Human Foosball (pictured below), quadcopter course, and Kings game in the West Lot.

2. KC Film + Media Script-to-Screen

Collaboratively curated by KC Film + Media, the Missouri Film Office, and Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, the Script-to-Screen area will feature booths on all the areas of film making: pre- to post-production, makeup artistry, set props, stage readings, and more. Located on Level B.

3. Kansas City Food Circle

Farmers are among the original Makers! Kansas City Food Circle has collaborated with Maker Faire Kansas City to create a brand new area featuring local farmers and their products. Located in the West Lot.

4. Je Dunn Construction Birdhouse Build

Want to get your hands dirty? Je Dunn Construction is ready to help! Create birdhouses, provided by Home Depot, while learning about on-site job tools and safety. Located in Sprint Festival Plaza.

5. Learn to Solder with CCCKC and Clear Blue Engineering

Cowtown Computer Congress Kansas City, a local Kansas City hackerspace, and Clear Blue Engineering, a Colorado-based company, will be teaming up to teach you the very basis of working with electronics: how to solder. Create musical PICs and enjoy the experience! Located in the Tapped Out Classroom of Science City.

6. Food Trucks and Demonstrations in Science City’s Test Kitchen with Ennovation Center

Need a food break from Maker Faire? Head over to Pershing Road to get a bite from over 10 different food trucks! Want to learn more about food-making in general? Learn how to make BBQ rubs with Lamon Carter, the owner of Applewood BBQ; pizzas with 2012 Food Network Grill Mayor Craig Jones; and pies with Tippins. Located on Pershing Road and the Test Kitchen of Science City.

7. Power Racing Series

Wanna see adults race around a track in modified toy cars of the Power Wheels persuasion? Catch the racing competitions Saturday and the endurance race Sunday in the East Lot!

8. Low Riders

Are you ready for a cool car show and hop competition? The KC Lowriders will be showing off their custom-created cars on Pershing Road!

9. Outdoor Youth Area with Nerdy Derby

The Science City Maker Studio is giving away 1200 Nerdy Derby cars over the weekend. Race one on the 45-foot track or make-and-take your own. There will also be a 22-foot track to race marbles on, giant chalk masterpieces, enormous bubbles, and inflatables to jump around on! Located on the Science City Black Belt.

10. B.A.C Music

Get your music gloves on and get ready to make some music! With B.A.C.’s Horn Doctor Mike Corrigan, attendees will make-and-take some instruments, learn all about the process of creating horn instruments and more. Located in Sprint Festival Plaza.

If you’ve never been to Maker Faire Kansas City in the past, check out this video to get a glimpse of the action:

And here are some shots of last year’s Faire, taken by Sarah Darby:

For more information, head to the Maker Faire Kansas City site!