Heavy Meta (Credit: Alex Wong @flylice)
Drones, robots, superheroes, medieval weaponry, the science of outer space, and a fire-breathing dragon—it’s all part of Cleveland Public Library’s 5th annual Mini Maker Faire, which takes place on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in downtown Cleveland. The Cleveland Mini Maker Faire celebrates Northeast Ohio’s maker spirit and provides hands-on, interactive fun for visitors of all ages. From 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on November 4, Cleveland Public Library will host engineers, scientists, artists, students, crafters, and makers of all kinds who will present workshops, demonstrations, seminars, and exhibits that bring new ideas to life.
“The Cleveland Mini Maker Faire represents some of the best of what we offer in terms of collaboration, creative thinking, and pioneering technology,” says Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director of Cleveland Public Library. “We’re especially proud to have hosted this event for five consecutive years and that our TechCentral department plays such a leading role in Cleveland’s maker culture. We invite everyone to attend this event and find inspiration in the creativity and technological innovation that’s alive and well in Cleveland.”
Highlights at this year’s Cleveland Mini Maker Faire include Heavy Meta, the 30-foot-long mobile metal dragon made of hand-cut, hand-welded sheet metal panels built atop a bus. This monstrous masterpiece, courtesy of the Heavy Meta Collective in Toronto, shoots fireballs from her animatronic mouth and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Another new offering this year includes the Tesla Orchestra, a quartet of musical tesla coils that convert music into lightning bolts. Additionally, the NASA Glenn Research Center will display its traveling exhibit, “Journey to Tomorrow,” which explores how aircraft fly, what it’s like to live and work in space, how planets orbit the sun, and more. Visitors can also enjoy dozens of additional offerings at this year’s event, including drones, robots, games, crafts, and a working trebuchet set to launch pumpkins and water balloons.
3D Printer, Printing a Blue Hand
Finally, for the first time at a Cleveland Mini Maker Faire, the Library’s TechCentral MakerSpace will be open for hands-on work throughout the event. Library cardholders can use the department’s 3D printers, laser engraver, and vinyl printer and cutter. TechCentral’s Mobile MakerSpace will also be on display throughout the day, where visitors can watch demonstrations and learn more about the Library’s maker tools and equipment.
“The Maker Faire has helped many people realize what role Cleveland Public Library plays in informal and creative learning,” says CJ Lynce, TechCentral Manager. “At our previous Maker Faires, we’ve watched kids, teens, adults, and entire families engage with the idea of information sharing and community building. It’s the act of bringing together people to share and talk—that’s what the Maker Faire is truly all about.”
The Cleveland Mini Maker Faire will be held in various locations throughout the Library’s downtown campus at 325 and 525 Superior Avenue, the Eastman Reading Garden, and Rockwell Avenue. The Library’s Drive-Up Window will be closed on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4 for event preparations and activities. Street closures on November 4 include Rockwell Avenue, between E. 6th and E. 3rd Streets, and E. 6th Street between Superior and Rockwell.
For more information and to view a full schedule of events, visit the Cleveland Mini Maker Faire website or contact the Library’s Outreach and Programming Services at OPS@cpl.org or 216-623-2921.