When the Maker Faire returns this weekend in San Mateo, about a half-dozen North Bay makers will be on hand, including fair veterans Renga Arts and Fun Bike Unicorn Club. Music, food, science, sustainability—anything DIY (or DIWO, Do It With Others) is the theme at this annual gathering.
The idea sprung from Make magazine, published by Sebastopudlian Tim O’Reilly, and has expanded to include major events in Detroit and New York, as well as dozens of mini–Maker Faires around the country. The San Mateo fair is a two-day event with music and other performances, lectures (including one by myth-buster Adam Savage), demonstrations and plenty of unimaginable craziness.
Whereas the county fair may have award-winning steers, the Maker Faire might have robot cows that produce soy milk on voice command. Opportunities to learn new skills abound (soldering, lock picking, etc.), and the makers themselves are usually on hand to demonstrate their creations and answer questions.
The Maker Faire—featuring, for the first time, the “Death Defying Figure-8 Pedal Car Race”—takes place at the San Mateo Event Center Saturday–Sunday, May 19–20. Ticket prices vary; see www.makerfaire.com for info.
