Philly’s Mini Maker Faire for local inventors and crafters returns this October

After Philadelphia first welcomed the Maker Movement, which highlights local initiatives from inventors, companies and independent crafters, the faire is back for its second year, the organization announced this month.

The event last year, naturally, kicked off at Pennovation, one of Philly’s largest spaces for makers and innovators.

“We hope to turn Philly into a maker city as Maker Movement founder Dale Dougherty challenged us to during a recent visit,” inventor Marvin Weinberger told us last year. “The Philadelphia Mini Maker Faire is another step towards Philadelphia becoming a true Maker City, and to reigniting the city’s past as a manufacturing hub and resource for innovators, from Ben Franklin to now.”

But just a few months ago, the possibility of the event continuing in Philly seemed uncertain, when in June, the National Maker Faire organization announced it was shutting down.

No worries, said the Philly org’s head of marketing Laura Chenault — the show will go on. The Philadelphia chapter of the organization will continue to exist.

The second annual Philly Mini Maker Faire will return to Pennovation in October this year, to better align the event with area schools and universities who want to participate, Chenault said.

The fair will showcase inventors, artists, startups, garage tinkerers, crafters, science clubs, and others “who like to get their hands dirty making things,” organizers said. The makers will gather at Pennovation Works to show off their creations and how they are made.

“Expect to see: drones, robots, glassblowing, fashion, textiles, electronics, ceramics, 3D printing, biotechnology, and much more,” organizers said.

On deck this year are workshops and demonstrations from NextFab, a drone workshop and FIRST Robotics teams showing off their creations, as well as artistic performances and various hands-on activities. Also look for presentations from University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Drexel University science departments.

Last year’s event drew about 100 exhibitors and 1,700 attendees, and organizers hope to double the exhibitors and bring in at least 4,000 attendees.

Details:

• Sunday, Oct. 6
• Pennovation (3401 Grays Ferry Ave.)
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 17, and free for kids 4 and under; tickets will cost more at the door