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Rhode Island’s First Ever Maker Faire to Take Place in Providence and Pawtucket in September, 2009

A Celebration of New Englanders’ D.I.Y (Do-It-Yourself) Ingenuity and Innovation

www.makerfaireri.com

 September 14, 2009 (Providence, RI) – Beginning at the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Slater Mill in Pawtucket, and culminating in the Creative Capital, Providence, Maker Faire Rhode Island is a celebration of everyday people’s inventive and creative abilities. Taking place over the course of three weeks in September, this mass mash-up of technological-scientific-artistic-gadgetry-crafting will feature hands-on workshops, building and hacking competitions, culinary crafting, garage technology, arts and creativity for sale, robot gymnastic demonstrations, and more.

“Nothing of its kind has ever been experienced in New England before,” said Kipp Bradford, co-founder, Maker Faire Rhode Island, and Brown University faculty member. “Maker Faire is a festival celebrating the spirit of personal ingenuity and innovation that thrives here in Providence and Rhode Island, and highlighting the impact it makes in our daily lives. It is also a spectacular showcase for the cool projects local people are working on in their garages and gardens, kitchens and basements, work rooms and community centers.”

“As an affiliate of MAKE Magazine and Maker Faire, we are bringing this event to Rhode Island and New England to gather together our community of Makers and practitioners of Do-It-Yourself. Our goal is to catalyze the sharing of ideas, make connections between those with similar interests, and create opportunities for learning technology through a series of workshops at Slater Mill, the birthplace of American technical and industrial innovation,” said Brian Jepson, co-founder, Maker Faire Rhode Island, and a contributing editor to MAKE Magazine’s Make: Online.

“I am honored and excited to welcome Maker Faire Rhode Island to Providence, our Creative Capital. From its earliest days, Providence has fostered creativity and innovation, and events like Maker Faire Rhode Island show that is still true today,” said David N. Cicilline, Mayor of Providence.

“Slater Mill, the birthplace of industrial innovation, is an ideal setting for Maker Faire Rhode Island’s workshops. We welcome the public to come to Slater Mill in Pawtucket to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity,” said Janice Kissinger, CEO, Slater Mill.

Maker Faire RI is expected to draw dozens of exhibitors, with hobbyist builders, inventors, innovators, hackers, tinkerers, gadgeteers, designers, artists, fabricators, welders, craftspeople, fabric technologists, bricoleurs, engineers, scientists, garden wizards, and others, from across New England. The festival is free (with the exception of one fundraising party) and is open to all, participants and spectators alike, including families and children of all ages. Submission forms can be found on the event website: www.makerfaireri.com

Maker Faire Rhode Island consists of a series of events held over three weeks in September coordinated with other partner organizations. It will begin with a kickoff party September 6th, during the Rocktucket Block Party, part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival. From September 14th through the 17th, there will be hands-on D.I.Y. Workshops in Pawtucket at the Slater Mill, a building and museum steeped in the history of American industry and innovation. The workshops will wrap up with a celebration at Machines With Magnets in Pawtucket. Moving back to Providence, there will be Meet the Makers at JTJ Investment’s Eco Office, at 27 Walcott St on September 18. This is the only “Net-Zero” office building in Rhode Island, and now the new home to Alteris Renewables. Finally, Makers will showcase their projects, gadgets, inventions, products, designs, technologies, fancy foods, and much more at the Maker Faire at Waterfire on September 19 at 2pm. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Steel Yard in Providence on September 19th for the organization’s Iron Chef fundraiser. With an audience ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 attendees, organizers anticipate a fantastic family friendly finale to this extraordinary festival.

 The Iron Chef fundraiser requires a ticket purchase. All other events are free to attend. Workshop instructors may provide kits for sale at the Slater Mill D.I.Y. Workshops.

About Maker Faire:

Started in San Mateo, California in 2006, Maker Faire is the premier event for grassroots American innovation. Maker Faire Rhode Island is affiliated with, and inspired by, Maker Faire in San Mateo, bringing this grassroots event to New England for the first time in September. www.makerfaireri.com

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