Tesla Coils, Star Trek Sims, and Poofy Fire at Colorado Maker Faires

The fine state of Colorado is home to no less than four annual Mini Maker Faires: Boulder and Denver (which already took place this year in January and June, respectively) as well as the upcoming NoCo (in Loveland) and Colorado Springs, both set to inspire the masses this weekend. Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper, recognizing this hotbed of innovation and creativity, has declared Saturday, October 10, as the first Colorado Maker Day. Much making and merriment is certainly in store.

Colorado Springs

The Colorado Springs Mini Maker Faire is in its second year and will be hosted at Library 21c of the Peaks Pike Library District one day only, on Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hooray for libraries that celebrate making! Check out their highlight reel from last year to get a glimpse at the excitement:

NoCo in Loveland

Two hours to the north, the NoCo Mini Maker Faire, now in its third year and picking up steam (and of course promoting STEAM), will be held at the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation & Technology for two full days, October 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Makers After Dark

The NoCo Mini Maker Faire will kick off in style on Friday night with a special Makers After Dark “craft distillers festival” for adults. Sounds like a blast! From the site:

We will have at least 20 craft distilleries in attendance, pouring their spirits on their own and as cocktails. Along with the spirits tasting, we’ve invited some of our favorite Makers to showcase their skills. So while you sip on some of the best spirits the country has to offer, you can be mesmerized by fire, robots, and lasers.

A few of the projects that will be wowing the distillery enthusiasts at Makers After Dark include:

Tesla Research Society Featuring Artist Aaron Ristau

Artemis Star Trek Simulation by Denhac Makerspace

John English and Kevin McWilliams’ Lumenexus Interactive LED Sculpture

Fire Poofer Experiments by Aaron Wilson, BoneFire Bob, and Los Diablos del Fuego

During the actual two days of the NoCo Mini Maker Faire, a host of Makers will be showing off their projects and sharing their knowledge, in addition to a full lineup of speakers.

Here is a sampling of the inspiring Makers and projects that will be on display:

Mountain States Droid Builders