Hello everyone,
The Wayne County Mini Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker Movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow this community.
The Daily Record said it best: “Dubbed the ‘Greatest Show and Tell on Earth’; over 1,300 people flocked to the second annual faire at the University of Akron Wayne College last May. It was a fresh experience with favorite makers from last year coming back along with new makers and new things to see and do.
The original Maker Faire event was held in San Mateo, CA and in 2018 celebrated its 13th annual faire with more than 800 exhibitors, makers, presenters and speakers. World Maker Faire New York, the other flagship event, has grown exponentially in the last nine years. Forty large-scale Maker Faires occur in cities around the world—Berlin, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, and Shenzhen to name a few—and over 170 community-driven, independently organized Mini Maker Faires are now being produced in the United States and in 44 other countries around the world!
We are proud to showcase Ohio makers who participated in the Wayne County Mini Maker Faire this year. Two such makers are Ryan Douglas and Jacob Garry. Ryan is currently a second year Computer Engineering student at the University of Akron. He is a retro gaming enthusiast and spends his free time restoring vintage game consoles. His favorite game is Sonic 3 & Knuckles on the SEGA Genesis. Jacob Garry is currently a Junior at Ashland University, majoring in Cyber-security. He’s been a gamer for as long as he remembers, and his current passion is Overwatch. He loves the teamwork and competitive nature of the game!
At the Maker Faire earlier this year, Ryan and Jacob enabled others to experience the history of gaming hands on. They brought a variety of vintage games for visitors to play and learn about. From Atari to Nintendo to Sega, faire attendees played some of gaming’s greatest classics, along with one of its oddities-the Virtual Boy!
Another group of makers who participated in the Wayne County Mini Maker Faire is Hale Farm & Village. Faire attendee joined the Spinners and Weavers from Hale Farm as they created rich dye colors from materials found in field, forest, garden and far away. Visitors learned how to make dye for protein fibers such as wool, and took their fiber creativity to the next level!
Rounding out our makers who participated is Dawn Meehan. Dawn has been with Akron-Summit County Public Library for 25 years. For the last dozen years, she has been a Technology Trainer in the Electronic Services department. She teaches classes about any and all computer/technology concepts and works in TechZone@Main.
TechZone@Main is Akron-Summit County Public Library’s makerspace. They have equipment like 3D printers, laser engraver, vinyl printer, button makers, and Silhouette Curio for little to no cost. Come visit to learn more and make something!
The Call For Makers is now open for the 3rd annual Wayne County Mini Maker Faire! Participation is free; You can apply with our online application here. You can also apply via postal mail and telephone. Number 3 is going to be bigger than ever for us as makers return to the Wayne College to fill the Student Life Building and landscape with incredible innovation and creativity. Remember, space is limited so you have to apply as soon as possible to ensure that you get your spot at the greatest show (& tell) on earth!
Until next week,
Tom