Maker Faire Wichita returns as free event at Exploration Place and library

Maker Faire Wichita is back for the first time post-pandemic with two major changes: It’s free to attend and it’s expanded to include activities at the Advanced Learning Library in addition to Exploration Place.

Maker Faire Wichita last took place in 2019 at Exploration Place. This year, the event is happening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, with indoor and outdoor activities at both locations. A grant from the Wichita Library Foundation is helping make this a free event.

With more than 50 makers between the two locations, food trucks, and live music performances, “it’s definitely going to have those festival vibes and we’re doing our best to make sure that it’s walkable between the two places,” said Victoria Mitchell, director of facilities and grounds at Exploration Place.

There will be some street closures to allow pedestrians and bikers easier access between the two sites, which are geographically very close.

A Maker Faire, which is a national concept that started in 2006, showcases invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and celebrates the maker movement, according to organizers. Makers range from tech and engineering enthusiasts to crafters and garage tinkerers and even businesses.

It’s also an interactive event, where faire-goers can learn and do things, including make-and-take activities. The Friends of the Library will also have a book sale.

“People will be surprised that there is so much to see and do you can stay all day,” said Jaime Nix, Wichita’s director of libraries. “It’s intergenerational learning for all ages.”

Mitchell and Nix listed a variety of interactive things to do:

• Interact with a robotic circus and watch combat robotics with Mike’s Robot Lab.
• Learn about bicycles with Bike Walk Wichita, telescopes with the Kansas Astronomy Observers and ham radios with a local ham radio group.
• Enjoy various woodworking demos with the Sunflower Woodworkers Guild, and then design your own piece and watch a robotic lathe craft it.
• Join ICT Rocks for rock painting.
• Build and launch water bottle rockets.
• Help create an 80-foot-long mural with Harvester Arts.
• Watch a drone demonstration with the FutureMaker Learning Lab.
• Create sun print art with City Arts and do T-shirt screen printing (for a fee) with Brick Mob.
• Listen to local music performances and visit the touch-a-truck zone at the Advanced Learning Library.

With so many activities happening outside, eventgoers are encouraged to bring water bottles; filling stations will be available, Mitchell said.

Maker Faire Wichita

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26

Where: both indoors and outdoors at Exploration Place, 300 N. McClean, and the Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St. N.

Admission: free

More information: exploration.org/event/maker-faire