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Several new makers to attend Fredonia Mini Maker Faire

Last year, more than 3,000 visitors indulged in the wonder and excitement that is the Fredonia Mini Maker Faire. That number is expected to climb higher today thanks to some new Makers in attendance.

The Fredonia Mini Maker Faire, a joint production between Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES and SUNY Fredonia in collaboration with MAKE Magazine, will take place today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the SUNY Fredonia campus inside the Williams and Science centers.

Several new Makers are expected to draw visitors of all ages — and possibly from other dimensions. Headlining some of the new additions to the already more than 75 Makers will be a replica of the TARDIS from “Dr. Who,” a replica of the Byers’ living room display from “Stranger Things,” a plasma cutter provided by the Ashford Hollow Foundation — Griffis Sculpture Park, Fredonia Maker Faire Ukulele Jam, Tinker Toy Community Building Area and Spider Herbs.

“Many of our Makers are passionate about what they do and have perfected their craft after years of practice. In that same vein, we as organizers are always trying to build and improve upon the Maker Faire and we anticipate visitors will enjoy our returning makers as well as many of our newcomers,” said Jen Osborne-Coy, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES public information officer and Mini Maker Faire producer.

Experience Entertainment, which has worked with a number of “Dr. Who” actors to help create the perfect replica of the TARDIS — Dr. Who’s time machine and spacecraft, will allow visitors to enter the time machine for a photo op. To better enhance the keepsake, stop by first to Face Painting — Mask FX by Perpetua, who will create a vibrant display for you to wear proudly as you visit each Maker.

Young Sci-Fi fans may want a No. 11 painted on their face before they visit the Byers’ living room set from “Stranger Things.” The display, also provided by Experience Entertainment, brings the ’80s atmosphere of the hit Netflix show to the Maker Faire — fully equipped with the show’s signature Christmas lights, wood paneling and rotary phone.

Commemorate the Maker Faire experience by drawing an image and having the Ashford Hollow Foundation Griffis Sculpture Park plasma cut a raw-steel duplicate of your creation.

“Plasma cutting is a process that cuts through electrically conductive materials by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma,” said Nila Griffis Lampman, Ashford Hollow Foundation executive director. “Typical materials cut with a plasma torch include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper, although other conductive metals may be cut as well.”

Wind down after all of the excitement by sampling chemical- and preservative-free rubs, cream and oils provided by Spider Herbs. Spider, an herbalist, writer and teacher, will speak about plants growing in your own back yards and how those same natural elements can be turned into beneficial applications.

The Maker Faire at its heart is a communal event and many of the Makers exhibit that same mindset. Groups of visitors can spend hours creating a Tinker Toy masterpiece inside the Williams Center foyer, learn to play the ukulele with Sarah Neumeister at her Fredonia Maker Faire Ukulele Jam, paint and share positive messages with #FredoniaRocks or learn the basics of lockpicking with the Open Organization of Lockpickers. Most of the make-and-take activities offered throughout the day will be free of charge.

For more information please visit www.fredonia.makerfaire.com.

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