A number of folks have already reached out to us about the latest news from Maker Media about Maker Faire halting operations. Dale Dougherty, the founder of Maker Media and Maker Faire, will be trying to keep the licensing program that we’re under to continue for the hundreds of independently-produced Maker Faire events around the world.
We want to let everyone know that Maker Faire Rochester will continue no matter what.
Everyone on the Maker Faire Rochester and NYSCATE team is dedicated to continuing on with the faire and spreading the maker spirit across the region and beyond. Remember to save November 23rd for our 6th event. We’re already making plans on growing the event and adding more makers.
We do want to send hugs to all of our friends at Maker Media who we’ve been lucky enough to work with over the last 5 years. Their team was filled with incredible folks that continue to inspire us. We’re sure we’ll run into them and hopefully work with them again in the future.
Here are some of the questions we’ve been getting, and the answers to go along with them. If you need further details, please contact us at rochesterfaireinfo@gmail.com or Facebook.
Who is Maker Media, and what do they have to do with Maker Faires?
Maker Media published MAKE: magazine and created Maker Faire. They produced two Maker Faire events, San Francisco and New York, and they licensed the name to hundreds of community organizers around the world who produce more than 200 independent Maker Faire events.
In New York, Rochester host larger two-day Maker Faire events, and single-day Mini Maker Faire events are held or are coming up in Buffalo, Fredonia, Utica, Horseheads, Schenectady, Port Jefferson
As we mentioned, the production teams for these events license the trademarked Maker Faire name from Maker Media. There is brand recognition in the name and in the Maker Movement, and there is a collaboration between the organizations who run them.
Hang on, I still don’t know what a Maker Faire is. Can you explain?
Maker Faire events are an opportunity for curious people who enjoy learning to see what others in the community are working on. It’s a marketplace of ideas and experiments, where makers can show off their passion projects, hobbies, and more.
So all the events are going on as planned?
Yes! Rochester “Call for Makers” to exhibit will start in late June, and tickets go on sale later this summer.
We love the Maker Media organization and the team that worked there. They helped us get Maker Faire Rochester started, and they offered an incredible amount of help and advice to make it a better event year after year.
We need community support more than ever. Now is the perfect time to get involved if you want to continue Maker Faire in your local community.
Who runs Maker Faire Rochester?
Maker Faire Rochester is an all-volunteer event that is led by NYSCATE a state-wide non-profit. We’ve been doing this for six years, and have no plans on stopping anytime soon.
If you’re interested in getting in touch with us or any of the Maker Faire organizers, let us know at rochesterfaireinfo@gmail.com.
How can I help?
Thank you! Tell your friends! Invite your neighbors! Yell from the rooftops! But only during the day, please.
Maker Faire Rochester is November 22nd and 23rd. If you want to exhibit, volunteer, or attend, please sign up for future news through our email updates. Follow us on Facebook.
All the proceeds from Maker Faire Orlando go back into the local maker community, and we’re always looking for sponsors who value hands-on education and strong community-building events. We need your support now more than ever. The Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth will go on!