EBMMF celebrates the vast community of East Bay makers, crafters, hackers and tinkerers.  Bring the whole family for DIY art, science, technology and craft.

Okay, I confess. I am a nerd. And a geek. And a tech experimenter. And so are a lot of the people I hang out with. But that doesn't mean you're likely to find me hanging out with a welding torch or a soldering iron on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon. Not unless I have some support that is, like a workshop, or an experienced friend with a project in the works who can just tell me what to do and let me tinker away. Once someone else has me set up, I am happy as can be screwing little eyebolts together or welding a circuit or even polishing stones. They are all part of enjoying "How Things Work," a form of serious fun that feels really good.
My interest in cool projects and doing fun stuff is one of the big reasons I am so excited Oakland Local is a media sponsor for the first East Bay Mini-Maker Faire, to be held Oct. 24 at The Park School. Not only is there going to be a Maker-Faire like event that will be held right here in Oakland, instead of at the giant crowded convention center in San Mateo, this mini-faire is going to feature lots of cool local East Bay folks who are going to share their skills with the rest of us.

And, even better, this event is super family-friendly! Loaded with rockets, robots, DIY science and technology, a visit to the SBMMF is not only going to thrill my inner child, it's going to make the kids I know really happy. What child wouldn't want to have some cool hands on experiences that taught about urban farming and sustainability, alternative energy and bicycles, especially in an atmosphere where hand-made crafts, live music and local food are all yummy.

So what can you experience that is big fun for adults and kids, too?

How about the super fun Swap-O-Rama?

Got clothes? Want to modify them into Halloween costumes? Make recycled cool stuff? Pillows? Hats? Toys?  Swap-O-Rama is the place where you can bring - and sift through - piles of donated clothing that you can unmake, re-make and up-cycle. And there's gonna be sewing machines as well as freestyle use of buttons, ribbons, glue guns, feathers and googly eyes. If you want a snazzy Halloween costume, this could be the place.

Take a ride on Paul's Rides

Paul’s Rides are pedal-powered carnival rides. Two- and three-person ferris wheels; tiny and big carousels, two- and six-seater dizzy toys. These are rides that make you scream out loud and make you dizzy with good old centrifugal force. You get off and can’t walk straight. Paul’s Rides look so fun I plan to do them many times.

Oh yes, and I plan to take small children with me and hit up Cyclerides, pedal-powered crazy experiences that look like one big fun giggle.



Kids Who Rock Stage

Are you a kid? Do you play? Want to play at the EBMMF stage? The line-up isn't final yet, but this is gonna be School of Rock cuteness all over again, only local, with lots of kid bands.

Geek Dad projects for dads and kids

Wired dad due Ken Denmead, who thinks up cool projects for family fun, is going to work his magic at the EBMMF, too. Planners say Denmead is bringing a remote controlled demolition derby set up for everyone to try. Man, I can't wait to get my hand ons that (think about how your kids will feel).

Older kids are going to be thrilled to find out that Make Sf is going to host one of those essential soldering workshops at the EBMMF, and that Ace Monster Toys, a recently formed hacker space in North Oakland, is going to demo 3D plastic fabrication with three or four MakerBot Cupcake CNC machines. Their MakerBot orchestra will be crooning the audience with MIDI magic, and they say they will have edible 3D frosting sculptures too! (If you have no idea what this means, come out and get them to explain it to you, that's what EBMMF is about, too.)

Oakland favorite The Crucible, will be at the fair with a set of Kinetics & Electronics offerings, teaching classes like “Electronics for Artists” and “Programming Interactive Art and Games with Processing." 

If you ever wanted your kids to think geek was good, this event is the way.

And here's the big thing: If you think you want to go (and bring the fam) buy tickets this week! It' $10 for an adult and $7.50 for a kid right now - and that's just about a half-day of cost at the door, and 30 percent less than prices after Oct. 7.

East Bay Mini Maker Faire

What: A celebration of the Do-It-Yourself spirit. Bring the whole family for a day of cool projects, workshops, beautiful crafts, great food, music and more. All on the beautiful four-acre Park Day School campus in Oakland. 

When: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24

Where: Park Day School, 360 42nd St., Oakland, CA 94609

Details: http://ebmakerfaire.wordpress.com/