Maker Faire Celebrates DIY Gadgets

Frédéric St-Amour’s R2-T4 Droid

My blender broke last week in the middle of making a smoothie, and in a moment of fury (I was really looking forward to that smoothie), I ditched it on the side of the road with the rest of my trash. What am I going to do with a broken blender?

Looks like I have a thing or two to learn at Montreal’s Mini Maker Faire this weekend, where a community of engineers, crafters, woodworkers, scientists, musicians, software developers and more are coming together at Parc Olympique to celebrate the DIY spirit.

“We’re living in an age of consumerism, where we buy things and immediately throw them out when they don’t work. We want to encourage people to buy less, and fix what’s broken, “ says event organizer Dannielle Dyson. “Before you throw it out, take it apart and figure out how it works.”

Maker Faire was founded by Make Magazine six years ago in California to encourage people of all ages to “experience the joy of making stuff.” Mini versions of the Faire have been popping up around the world ever since. This weekend is Montreal’s first.

Maker Faire could be described as a combination science fair and craft show, but the goal isn’t to show off: it’s about knowledge sharing and participation. “Makers will show you what they made, but then they’ll show you how they made it, and how you can make it too,” Dyson explains.

An eclectic mix of Makers will be holding workshops and demonstrations throughout both days of the festival.

Dyson recommends everyone check out the replica Brooklyn Bridge that Women in Engineering Concordia will be building with K’Nex throughout the weekend, and watch for Farid Rener running around the festival in his Light Suit on Sunday (music fans may have seen it on-stage at a Goose Hut show).

Learn more about subjects that have interested you since elementary school (“Ever wondered how to make an awesome paper aeroplane?” Yes.) And maybe pick up some new passions along the way. And, needless to say, kids of any age are welcome at this event. ■

Esplanade of Parc Olympique (4141 Pierre de Coubertin), Aug. 25 – 26, 12 p.m. – 6 pm, $6.