Plan to participate in the Reno Mini Maker Faire — a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker Movement. It's scheduled for Saturday, July 8, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Idlewild Park.
People of all ages and backgrounds will come together to show what they are making and share what they have learned along the way. The Faire is a celebration of what makes Northern Nevada unique.
The goal of the Reno Mini Maker Faire is to encourage curiosity and creativity, to entertain and inform, and to connect and grow the amazing community of makers in Northern Nevada.
“Arts, culture and the creative class are incredibly important to economic development,” Brian McArdle, manager, entrepreneurial development for EDAWN said. “The more skills we teach, the more innovations get created, turning Reno into an art and tech city. We are fortunate to have makerspaces like the DeLaMare Library and the University’s Innevation Center that have a welcoming atmosphere for people to learn how to use 3D printers, laser cutters and other tools. With our strong arts community and Burning Man influence we have a real opportunity to showcase our talents and the Reno Mini Maker Faire is the perfect place to do that.”
All are welcome at the Reno Mini Maker Faire.
“The Reno Mini Maker Faire is an event for the whole family,” University Libraries Engineering Librarian Tara Radniecki said. “It celebrates the DIY and DIT (Do-It-Together) cultures that are prevalent within our community regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, or age.”
More than 50 exhibitors are participating in this year’s event. They are required to have a hands-on component to their exhibit where participants can learn or try something new.
“The hands-on component of the Faire is really awesome,” Radniecki said. “With STEM and STEAM education being a top priority in Nevada this event is the perfect way to expose kids, teens and young adults to how easy it can be to work on making or creating your own, special thing. The event is designed to inspire people of all ages and get them interested in learning and creating.”
Kids and adults will have the opportunity to learn to make giant bubbles and rockets, learn to knit, learn to code and solder, craft and more. Attendees will have a chance to learn about and from a wide variety of makers that range from scientists and engineers to artists and musicians.
“The Maker Faire always has such interesting and fun exhibits,” Radniecki said. “Attendees will get to see robotics at work, experience virtual reality, admire art cars, and meet and talk with amazing artisans of all kinds.”
Because we are human, we are makers.
“Making happens every day – when you cook dinner, find a new use for a tool in your garage, knit a sweater, code an app, build a science project with your child, or engineer a bridge,” Radniecki said. “I want to invite the entire community to come out and participate in the Maker Faire. It is for everyone: tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, food artisans, hobbyists, engineers, artists and students.”
The event is organized by the University of Nevada, Reno and University Libraries, specifically the DeLaMare Science and Engineering Library, and EDAWN – Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.
When asked what she was looking forward to for this year’s Maker Faire Radniecki said, “I’m most excited about the general buzz and excitement that runs through the whole event. You regularly hear kids and adults alike saying, ‘cool!’ ‘that’s so interesting,’ and ‘look at what I made!’”
For more information on the Fourth Annual Reno Mini Maker Faire click here.
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