Second annual NoCo Mini Maker Faire pulls in another crowd at RMCIT

By: Steve Monday October 6, 2014 Tags: David Prawel, Elizabeth VanDyne, Loveland

 

This year's event is bigger and more diverse than last year's inaugural fair

By Steve Porter

InnovatioNews


LOVELAND - Perfect weekend weather was a definite plus factor for the second annual NoCo Mini Maker Faire, with thousands again turning out to see what's new and fun when it comes to innovation and craftsmanship.

The faire, held Saturday and Sunday at the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology, offered up everything from a 30-foot fire-breathing robot, 3-D printing demonstrations and make-it-yourself electronics to the latest in technology fascination - drones.

Jesse Perkins was one of the drone masters displaying his flying techniques. Perkins said he started flying radio-controlled planes and then turned to drones a couple of years ago.

"Now that the technology has gotten so tiny in the last two years, we have just been having so much fun," he said as he steered his drone about 20 feet above the pavement.

"It's awesome to watch this hobby blow up."

Inside and outside the RMCIT, Boulder resident Steve Cohen pedaled his hybrid wheelchair-bike invention. Cohen, a Target employee and inventor, said the contraption was inspired to be a Big Wheel for older adults.

While most people who use wheelchairs can't ride a bike or use their legs, Cohen said he built his invention for seniors who can still use their legs but are unsteady walking.

"They're just sitting there watching TV and want something to do," he said. "With this, they can zip around and go places."

Cohen said he's looking for help with a final design and an investor to commercialize it.

That kind of inventive sprit was everywhere inside and outside the RMCIT, as people of all ages strolled through the booths in the 100,000-square-foot-plus faire.

David Prawel, a CSU engineering professor and director of the University's 3-D printing lab, said he sensed an electricity in the building.

"There's creativity in the air," Prawel said. "The maker community is great. This is how you engage kids' minds."


Elizabeth "Elise" VanDyne, organizer of the event and director of the scores of volunteers who helped make it happen, said she was happy to see another faire come to fruition.

"This is the fun part, where you see wide eyes of wonder and happy smiles everywhere," she said.

VanDyne said this year's faire was about 25 percent larger than the inaugural event last year, the first in Colorado. Since then, she's also produced a Maker Faire in Denver and Boulder and Colorado Springs are now planning their own events.

Sponsors of the 2014 NoCo Mini Maker Faire included the City of Loveland, Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology, Make:makezine.com, Action Works, Epilog Laser, Idea-2 Product, InkWorks, MadWire Media, and SparkFun Electronics.

To view a gallery of photos taken Oct. 4, click here.