We love seeing maker communities come together and organize their own Mini Maker Faires! This weekend, the fine makers of Camden, Maine, are putting on the first Midcoast Mini Maker Faire, taking place on Saturday, September 7, at the Camden Public Library and Amphitheatre. They have a healthy array of makers lined up, who will be sharing what they make.
We caught up with library technician and Midcoast Mini Maker Faire co-producer Olga Zimmerman for the inside scoop:
This is our first Midcoast Mini Maker Faire here in Camden, Maine, and we are so excited! The weather is looking fantastic — sunny and 71°F, perfect for the outdoor event. We’ll have one very large tent and some makers outside on the grass in the Camden Amphitheatre, which is adjacent and part of the Camden Public Library grounds. The street between Harbor Park and the library/Amphitheatre (Atlantic Ave) will be closed off to allow for pedestrian traffic only and for some makers with modified vehicles to exhibit on the street. A local independent high school — Watershed School — will be there with a van and its doors open to spill out onto the street with a variety of projects they have been making. We are expecting between 300-1000 people and we know our community will love it.
Pictured above is:
Tenji Underwater Robots
Edward Seidel of Tenji will be building ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). These small, underwater robots can be built for $60.00 and allow one to explore the underwater world of Maine. With the addition of a video camera, scientific equipment, or other components you can have a powerful tool to study the aquatic world without having to get wet!
Here are 5 more maker exhibits that will be at the Faire:
Watershed School FabLab
Come meet the students of Watershed School and learn about their various projects covered in their design program! As part of their Watershed Fab Lab they might be laminating and constructing longboards or doing graphic designs on the decks of longboards using gel medium transfers and stencils. They might even have their small 3D printer on hand as well as some work with Arduinos!
Icycle Bicycle
For her 8th grade school project, local student Ella Simon decided to create the Icycle Bicycle. That’s right, it’s exactly what it sounds like, even cooler! You exercise and make yourself a treat at the same time. Come learn how she did it and maybe go home and make one for yourself! Can’t wait? Here’s a blog post to keep you satisfied till then and check her out on Facebook.
Midcoast Yarn Ninjas
The Mid-Coast Yarn Ninjas are a group of rogue knitters and crocheters who stealthily beautify the town with fiber art. They would like to teach people to knit/crochet at the Midcoast Mini Maker Faire, and get bystanders to participate in helping to create our next installation.
Jory Squibb’s Sunbeam
Jory’s Sunbeam car is 2/3 battery powered and 1/3 bicycle pedal-powered, and weighs a mere 105 pounds. The range on battery power alone is 80 miles. “I’m so glad you’re doing a Maker Faire,” said Squibb. “It’s just what kids need, before they get wired into the computer. Virtual Reality spoils you for real reality, and this real-world tinkering is just fascinating.”
3DMicroFactory
Charles Duvall and Sarah Boisvert will show off their cool, creative 3D-printed jewelry at the intersection of innovation and art. They will also be bringing their tabletop 3D printer!
About Camden Public Library and why they’re hosting a Mini Maker Faire:
Camden Public Library’s mission is simple: Read. Connect. Discover. We are an anchor in our community and our focus is to unite people in a positive, creative environment. We produce and serve as a venue to weekly programming, as well as larger, annual events. Our interest in hosting an event for makers is a natural extension of our mission statement. Midcoast Maine has a lot of talent, many makers, and an audience who appreciates them. We are bursting with excitement to be able to give this event the Mini Maker Faire name and unite those already familiar with it and with those who aren’t. Our geographic area overflows with creative people! We have established organizations like Midcoast Magnet staging events like PechaKucha and the Juice Conference. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association organizes the Common Ground Fair, an ode to homesteading and making. Another example is the annual PopTech Conference by PopTech. There are many galleries and many more tinkerers and we seek to act as the liaison in our maker community.
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