By Janeé Williams
Get your creative juices flowing at the Northern Virginia Mini Makers Faire, sponsored by the Community for Northern Virginia Innovation Fund. Allow your creativity to run wild as you collaborate with inventors, hackers, crafters, artists and DIY’ers from across the region at this family-friendly expose of innovation.
Although this is the first Mini Makers Faire in Northern Virginia, the movement began in 2005 in San Mateo, Calif. and now has faires across the United States and other countries. The goal is to inspire creativity with hands-on activities. The faire will include local entrepreneurs, craftsman and investors and is for all ages. Even the makers of the show range from 12-92 of age.
“All kids – and adults – need more encouragement to follow their curiosity and be innovative problem solvers. The Mini Makers Faire celebrates working with raw materials, engaging kids’ minds and helping them to become critical thinkers,” says Brian Jacoby, president of Nova Labs, which will provide all the tools needed for these hands-on workshops.
The Innovation Fund supports and upholds innovation and programs that promote creativity, inventiveness and new design throughout Northern Virginia. The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia looks to continue nurturing innovative ideas and solutions in the region, drawing interest from many local entrepreneurs. Tickets for the faire, which will be held at Reston’s South Lakes High School and Hughes Middle School campuses, will run between $5 and $15 if ordered online. Tickets for the day of the event will run between $8 and $20.
With more than 100 booths, you will be provided with several hands on projects to try and explore. You won’t get bored. Projects like aluminum aerogami (a combination of origami and model airplane building from aluminum cans), 3D scanning and printing, solar-powered cars, hand-spinning yarn and spy gadgets from the International Spy Museum are some of the projects that you will see.
Northern Virginia Mini Maker’s Faire
11400 South Lakes Dr., Reston, 20191
Sunday, March 16, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
https://makerfairenova.com
Tickets: $5 pre-orded for children, $15 for adults; $8 for children and $20 for adults at the door
