#BestEver #DoItTogether #Gratitude
Doing it Together is powerful stuff. East Bay Mini Maker Faire is an absolute manifestation of team work and collaborative energy. Together we threw an amazing celebration this past Sunday: a showcase of creativity, invention, and curiosity.
Close to 200 makers generously shared their talent, wit, passion and projects. Over 250 Park Day School parents + unaffiliated helpers took shifts to power everything from hands-on making booths (e.g. Nerdy Derby, rockets, Swap, Learn to Solder) to parking to tickets and registration. 95 exhibits offered hands-on making or interaction. Sponsors gave in their own way—enabling budget for the jaw-dropping installations, or donating in-kind with infrastructure and supplies. A core team of 10 or so plugged away months in advance to push this baby to fruition.
Together we brought together 7,000 happy people on the combined Park Day School + Studio One Art Center campuses. Whether working or just experiencing the show, it felt like most people were experiencing something new, and receiving some bit of re-charge and inspiration. Thanks for not just coming, but for contributing, and for making this day with us.
Keep the making going — check out our Resources page for makerspaces and maker meetups — and see you back again in October 2015!
P.S. We’d love to see more pictures! Send links to info@ebmakerfaire.com.
Carpe Diem: Preparing for the Faire
Tomorrow morning the gates will open and hordes of people will walk into the Faire with the Nautilus on one side of them and Ursus Redivivus on the other. The bikers among them will have confidently parked their rides in the secure bike corral next to the main gate, and drivers will have paid $5 to park at Emerson School 2 blocks away at 4803 Lawton St.
The prepared among them will have brought:
- Their tickets, either printed (preferable) or downloaded to phones
- Cash for the awesome food trucks and crafter shopping
- Clothing for the Swap-O-Rama-Rama screenprinting and textile hack zone
- Small appliances in need of help for the FIXIT Clinic.
- Sunscreen, hats, and water.
Those especially prepared will have checked out the amazing list of Makers here, looked over the schedule of presentations, workshops, and music here, and planned their attack.
But lots of folks will just show up at 360 42nd Street, buy a ticket, and see what happens. And that’s great too.
Either way, see you tomorrow! The gate opens at 10am.
Save the Date: October 14, 2012
Yep. We’re gearing up for the 2012 East Bay Mini Maker Faire. Mark your calendars now for Sunday, October 14th! Makers, please note our Call for Makers will go live in June.
Believe it or not, the planning crew is already busy getting things in order for the 3rd annual event. We’re connecting with sponsors and media partners, getting a volunteer team ready to hit Maker Faire Bay Area May 19 & 20 for ideas, developing our presenter and workshop schedule, and figuring out how to make this year’s Faire the best yet.
As an an all-volunteer run event we’re always looking for people with energy and time to help out. So send an email to info AT ebmakerfaire.com if you want to get involved.
We’ll keep posting with details about the 2012 experience as they develop. Watch for our Call for Makers in June. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to get the latest news. Stay tuned and spread the word!