The fourth annual event, which takes place in the Williams and Science centers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features dozens of local, regional and national makers excited to share their passion to create and enthusiasm to teach with eventgoers.

“Now in our fourth year, what began as a passion project to celebrate creativity has grown into a one-day circus of creativity and something families near and far look forward to,” said Jen Osborne-Coy, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES chief communication and development officer and Mini Maker Faire producer. “Each year we find ourselves more and more surprised by the wonderful talent we have right here in our own backyard. This year will be no exception as we have new makers making their first appearance to the Fredonia Mini Maker Faire and lots of favorites returning.”

New makers include, but are not limited to, Cupcake Creations which teaches participants new and fun ways to decorate cupcakes for any day or holiday; Jessie’s Loose Threads which features sewing and upcycling ideas; Paper Beats Roc, a Rochester-based project that teaches cool and versatile origami; and Backyard Lander, a ¢ scale replica of the first lunar module designed and built Barry Nobles of South Dayton.

“A maker can be anyone with an imagination and drive to create,” Osborne-Coy said. “When we put out our Call to Makers each year we are rejuvenated by the sheer number of unique talents we find. It can be a grassroots projects, a hobby someone wants to share or something more expansive similar to Mario The Maker Magician who has made spreading creative thinking in an entertaining way his life’s work.”

Mario The Maker Magician returns to the Fredonia Mini Maker Faire for two performances, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., inside the SUNY Fredonia Science Center. Submitted photo

The daylong event is free and will feature more than 70 makers who will present and discuss their work and in many cases instruct attendees on how to create their own make-and-take projects.

The Maker Faire, a joint production between E2CCB and SUNY Fredonia in collaboration with MAKE Community, has been identified as part science fair, part county fair and part something entirely new. The movement began in the San Francisco Bay area in 2006 and has since spread to New York, with an average of 61 percent new attendees each year.

“This is a great showcase for the creative, hands-on and project-based learning we aspire to at E2CCB and we are so grateful to be able to partner with Fredonia State to make this event happen every year,” Osborne-Coy said.

Returning favorites this year include Mario The Maker Magician (free performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Science Center), Sherman CSD Sharpie Dyed Tile Coasters, Cider Press, Ancient Stone Carvings, Northern Chautauqua Woodcarvers, Tinker-Toy play area, and many more.

Makers will be stationed within the Williams Center and the Science Center so the event will be held rain or shine. Several food trucks including Cheesy Chick, The Great Foodini, Cold Stone Creamery, Coyote Cafe, Siri Thai Cuisine and the Crunch Roll Factory will be stationed between the buildings.

More than 3,000 people attended Maker Faire last year so visitors are asked to take advantage of shuttles from outside parking lots on the SUNY Fredonia campus, including Ring Road parking lots.

The majority of make-and-take projects will be free of charge thanks in part to sponsorships from the Phyllis and Lawrence Patrie Endowment for the Sciences, Jamestown Community College, Lake Shore Savings Bank and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

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