DEARBORN — Hundreds of makers from across the country will bring their wares, ideas, inventions and solutions to The Henry Ford July 30 and 31 for the seventh annual Maker Faire Detroit, the Midwest’s largest two-day festival dedicated to unconventional ingenuity, unbridled creativity and forward thinking.
Featuring robots, rockets, circuit bent creations, virtual reality, 3D printing, handmade crafts, lifesize sculptures, hands-on activities, demonstrations and more, Maker Faire Detroit has something for the whole family.
New this year, the giant 15-foot-tall fighting robot Megabot will take over the outdoor midway, firing paintballs at speeds of over 120 mph at a car during demonstrations throughout the weekend. Musician and composer Dorit Chrysler also will be making her Maker Faire Detroit debut, hosting Theremin workshops for guests of all ages showcasing the fundamentals of playing the first electronic instrument that generates sound without being touched.
Also new this year, guests can watch Zot Artz create pop-up art expressions using adaptive art tools for children with disabilities.
Fans of the Emmy-winning CBS series “The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation” will have the chance to hear from some of the show’s featured innovators at Maker Faire Detroit including CHATLight, Cool Peds, Drinkable Book and Soundwave Extinguisher on the “Innovation Nation” stage.
Returning projects this year include the three-story Hot Wheels ramp created by local engineer Matt West and his son Blade that is currently going for the world record for the largest Hot Wheels ramp.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to get inside Astroliner, 50-foot motion simulator rocket. Handmade Toledo once again returns to present the handmade arts and crafts portion of this year’s faire. Eepybird will also return to close out each day with Mentos and Coke.
The faire’s outdoor midway location will once again take over the Lovett Hall lot located behind the museum. The location provides guests more convenient parking opportunities and easier access to makers located both inside and outside the museum.
A shuttle service sponsored by the University of Michigan-Dearborn will also be available at its Fairlane campus, 1900 Hubbard Drive.
Guests wanting to make the most of their experience onsite can download the free Maker Faire Detroit app via Apple App or Google Play stores. The app includes a schedule, a map, maker descriptions, general faire info and newsfeed with updates from The Henry Ford.
It also allows users to quickly build a personalized agenda of what they want to see and do during the weekend.
Tickets are $28 for adults (13 to 61), $19 for youth (3 to 12), and $26 for seniors (62 and up) and are available now. Children and under are free. Members of The Henry Ford receive 50 percent off admission to Maker Faire Detroit.
For more information, go to www.makerfairedetroit.com or www.facebook.com/makerfairedetroit.