Maker Faire to present a Creative Extravaganza this weekend
This weekend – yep, this Saturday and Sunday – the coolest inventions, innovators, creators, products, robots, exhibits, crafters, artists and young Makers in the Midwest will all gather at one place – Kansas City’s Union Station for Maker Faire 2014 – a two-day festival of fun and creativity.
Maker Faire Kansas City is a family-friendly event celebrating technology, education, science, arts, crafts, engineering, food, sustainability, and much more. It showcases things people Make, create, repurpose or re-invent. A featured Faire, Maker Faire Kansas City was one of the four largest Faires in 2013, and projects attendance at over 13,000 at this year’s Faire – including Dale Dougherty, founder and CEO of Maker Media Inc.
“Not only will we have creative adults and kids from across the region showing off what they make with their own hands, but we will have a wide array of speakers and entertaining demonstrations and exhibits – really something for everyone,” said Luis Rodriguez, Maker Faire Kansas City organizer and resident Maker at Union Station.
“If you are a fan of Star Wars, you will want to attend Maker Faire and listen to Fon Davis. Into cars? The KC Lowriders and the Model T Club will be onsite with great demos,” Rodriguez said.
“Are you a Dr. Who fan? Learn how to make your own Tardis and Dalek from a local Maker family. Interested in decorating with a conscience? The Diva of DIY, Leanne Lee, will be here to talk about how to decorate your home with re-claimed items as well as how to get your children in creating using found and repurposed items.”
Here is a partial list of some of the exciting and entertaining exhibits and speakers:
· Dale Dougherty, founder of Maker Faire and Make Magazine
· Fon Davis, Star Wars Model Maker
· FIRST Robotics Showcase
· Joey Hudy, Young Maker Extraordinaire
· Eepy Bird’s Coke & Mentos Spectacular
· Exclusive Teaser of the Netflix Original Documentary, “Print The Legend” with Keynote by Independence, MO native and Producer, Chad Troutwine and Michael Curry (http://printthefilm.com)
· Power Racing Series
· Lowrider Car Show & Competition
· 3D Printed Car
· Maker Faire Kansas City Food Truck Rally: The Moose Truck, Sebella’s Wood Fire Pizza, Detroit Coney, Street Wings, Cajun Cabin and Brock Hops
· Leanne Lee, Diva of DIY (as seen on KSHB TV’s Kansas City Live)
· Kansas City Costumers Guild
· Maker Faire Kansas City Family BBQ Competition
· IBot – Iron Brothers of Topeka
· “That’s The Idea! 100 Years of Inventing” Exhibition
· Humanoid Robotics Masters, from Team Robot Japan
· Eric “Mean Melin” Melin, 2013 Air Guitar World Champion
· Quixotic … and much, much, much more!
Maker Faire Kansas City will also feature a wide range of special activities all weekend long in Kansas City’s Science Center, Science City, to encourage young people to get involved in Making. Admission to Science City on Saturday and Sunday is included with admission to Maker Faire.
Red Star Studios will provide attendees of all ages the opportunity to get their “Maker On” by stamping and texturing the wet clay surface of a giant pyramid in front of Union Station. Each tile will then be added to the pyramid for display.
The festival will run on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To find out the latest schedule of special attractions and featured Makers, please visit www.makerfairekc.com.
Adult admission prices are $12.00 for a day or $19.50 for a weekend pass. Prices for youth (3-12), members of the military and seniors (55+) are $9.00 a day or $14.50 for a weekend pass. During Maker Faire, all exhibits at Union Station, with the exception of The Discovery of King Tut, will be included with your admission. Tickets are available at the Union Station box office or online at www.boxoffice.unionstation.org
