Mini Maker Faire starts Saturday at library, creators to showcase work
More than 50 artists, inventors and creators will showcase their work and provide interactive experiences for the public at the fourth annual Chattanooga Mini Maker Faire from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the downtown Chattanooga Public Library.
Part science fair, part county fair and part something entirely new, the Chattanooga Mini Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students and commercial entities. Attendees will get to experience highly interactive exhibits as well as the opportunity to participate in workshops, hands-on experiments and hobby presentations.
“The range of experiences we are able to offer at Maker Faire this year promise to make this event incredibly memorable to all who attend,” said Marcus Shaw, CEO of The Company Lab. “From arts and science-oriented crafts such as edible flower making and electrical circuit tinkering to live performances and dozens of learning opportunities, this year’s Maker Faire has something for everyone with an interest in the DIY movement.”
The Chattanooga Mini Maker Faire originally launched in 2014, patterned, in part, on the first Maker Faire in 2006 in in San Mateo, California, where it has grown to some 800 makers and more than 100,000 people in attendance. World Maker Faire New York, the other flagship event, has grown in three years to more than 500 makers and 55,000 attendees.
This year’s interactive experiences at the Chattanooga Public Library on Saturday will include mold making, origami, arcade games, button making, electrical circuit tinkering, fabric collage crafting, edible chocolate flower making, canvas bag designing, scavenger hunting, popper and launcher building, soap making and more.
Other highlights include a dance performance from The Pop Up Project, a presentation on zines and live music. Commercial exhibitors will feature pottery, handmade clothing, plaster molds and ceramics, tea and conservation art, among many others.
“The library plans to have maker activities around the whole building and not just on the fourth floor,” said Meredith Levine, head of youth services for the Chattanooga Public Library. “Makers will take over the plaza, our teen floor and our event space. People will get to explore the entire library and find incredible makers around every corner.”
Organizers are anticipating more than 2,000 will attend.
The event is one of the first in this year’s Startup Week in Chattanooga, which will include more than 100 events celebrating, teaching about and highlighting entrepreneurs and startup businesses next week.