makertents

Meet the Mini Makers at SW Michigan Mini Maker Faire

makertents

Whirlpool Centennial Park and the Compass Rose Fountain will play host to a broad array of mini-makers ready to showcase everything from the latest drone technology to techniques used to discover the potential secrets of an archaeological dig. They call it “The Greatest Show & Tell On Earth,” and it will be celebrated in grand style below the bluff across from the Amtrak Train Station in the form of the 3rd Annual Mini Maker Faire in St. Joseph.

What started out several years ago as a modest display of cool technology and great hands-on experiences has exploded into a full-tilt convocation under several big top tents thanks to the guidance of sponsors including the producers, Maker Media, and sponsors Cornerstone Alliance, Berrien RESA, Kinexus and St. Joseph Today.

So what is this great showcase all about? Well inventors, creators, makers of all sorts and all walks of life gather together as a compendium of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects, technological advances, and just cool ideas that they have. Most importantly, perhaps, is that the SW Michigan Mini Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.

The show has been described as part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new. It is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors, all of whom turn out at the Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.

ADVERTISEMENT
Your content continues below

Tomorrow’s (Saturday, June 3, 2017) Mini Maker Faire will take place at 200 Broad Street below the bluff in St. Joe running from 10am until 4pm with something for virtually any curiosity seeker.

As has become tradition, 3D printers will be humming along all day creating three-dimensional objects right before your eyes, while lots of hands-on opportunities to work with everything from boat-building to soldering electronic elements ready to take you to uncharted territory.

New this year is a major Drone Zone, showcasing drone racing and other demonstrations on the splash pad at the Compass Rose Fountain until 2pm when the fountain will be fired up once again for those in search of a little heat relief.  Additionally, in throw-back celebrations, as the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project sponsored by both Western Michigan University and the City of Niles establishes a search for historical artifacts to help explain the history and culture of Michigan’s Great Southwest.

The Krasl Art Center, Cycle-Re-Cycle, the Comstock STEM Academy and others will have displays, information and hands-on opportunities for those who plan to attend the Mini Maker Faire in St. Joe.

The entire day is free of charge to anyone who would like to attend and that should be substantial inasmuch as the crowd grew north of 2,000 a year ago and gets bigger with each passing year.