Special Event!

Date: September 14-15, 2013 Cost: $12 adults, $8 youth (3-13) and seniors (63+). Members 50% off.
Located at: OMSI’s north parking lot Time: 10am-6pm Access: All ages
Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—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 original Maker Faire was held in San Mateo, CA and in 2012 celebrated its seventh annual Bay Area event with some 800 makers and 110,000 people in attendance. World Maker Faire New York, the other flagship event, has grown in three years to 500+ makers and 55,000 attendees. Detroit, Kansas City, Newcastle (UK), and Tokyo are the home of "featured" Maker Faires (200+ makers), and community-driven, independently organized Mini Maker Faires are now being produced around the United States and the world, including Portland.
Contact: OMSI’s Events Team Call: 503.797.4677 Email: events@omsi.edu

Calling All Makers!

Over 80 Makers participated in the inaugural Portland Mini Maker Faire and shared their time, creativity and enthusiasm with close to 5,000 visitors throughout the weekend.

Makers ran the gamut from the latest tech, including demonstrations of 3D printing and home 3D photography production, to the ancient techniques of sword forging and chainmaille making. Guests created wooden toys crafted from reclaimed/upcycled natural woods and sport rockets that could go hundreds of feet. They were mesmerized by a contraption that did nothing but look cool as a group of robots moved basketballs from place to place, and more. From a 19-foot canoe that visitors helped stitch, to demonstrations of survival skills, letterpress and chocolate crafting, there was truly something for everyone.

New and returning Makers are welcome at this year's event as we hope to make it bigger and better. Maker applications are now open; click on the link below to apply.
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From ISMO's Corner

What the heck IS Maker Faire?

Ever since we announced the Portland Mini Maker Faire, the two responses I most often get are "YES, finally!" and "What the heck IS a Maker Faire?" Folks who have been to a Maker Faire in the past or even just heard reports know Portland is a great town to host one, and sure…

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Plan Your Visit

Getting Tickets
Maker Faire is a separate ticketed event from the museum.
Tickets will be available for purchase in Summer 2013.
  • $12, Adults
  • $8, Youth (3-13) and Seniors (63+)

OMSI Members receive 50% off all tickets.

All Maker Faire attendees can show their wristband to receive 50% off admission to the museum.

Food & Drink
A food cart pod will be serving up local food and flavor. Beer and wine will be available at the cash-only bar.


Innovation Stage
In addition to the interactive exhibits around the Faire, the Innovation Stage showcased Makers and projects making an impact in the community. Presenters included Dale Dougherty, founder of Maker Faire; Jay Silver, creator of MaKey MaKey; Jeff Potter, author of Cooking for Geeks; Kelley Roy, director of ADX; and Rhys Thomas, juggling comedian.

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Sponsors

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our sponsors and community partners who help to make the first Portland Mini Maker Faire possible.
About MAKE Magazine:
MAKE is the first magazine devoted entirely to Do-It-Yourself (DIY) technology projects. MAKE unites, inspires, informs, and entertains a growing community of resourceful people who undertake amazing projects in their backyards, basements, and garages. MAKE celebrates your right to tweak, hack, and bend any technology to your will. Subscribe here.
Besides the magazine and the faire, MAKE is:
  • a vital online steam of news and projects, blog.makezine.com;
  • a retail outlet for kits and books, the Maker Shed; 
  • a steady stream of fun and instruction via our YouTube channel
  • Make: Projects, a library of projects with step-by-step instructions;
  • a publisher of best-in-category titles via Make: Books, including introductions to electronics, Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, Arduino and more.
Portland Mini Maker Faire is independently organized and operated under license from Maker Media, Inc.

Getting Here

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Science Store

Visit the OMSI Science StoreThe OMSI Science Store has the perfect mix of educational and entertaining gifts, games, and gadgets. Shop in the museum or online.
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