We’ve heard your questions, and are answering them! This list will be updated as new questions come in (and as we remember old ones).
PLEASE NOTE:
- Early Saturday afternoon the site’s only ATM stopped working, so please make sure you bring enough money for your ticket(s) and to buy some of the great merchandise on offer.
- Due to the extremely limited parking available at the Brick Works, we are recommending that you elect to make use of the shuttle service from Broadview Station, bike, or walk, especially on Saturday when the Farmers’ Market is on (8am-1pm). More information about these options can be found here.
Makers & Visitors
- I still don’t get what a Maker is…
- Who are you guys, anyway?
- Why should I donate?
- What time the show will run?
- Will there be food available?
- Will I need to bring cash?
- What is the space like?
- Is it indoor or outdoor?
- Is the venue wheelchair-accessible?
- What is the target age for the activities?
- Where do I get tickets? Which types of payment are accepted at the event?
- Oh man, I live on the WEST Coast but I still really want to come! What should I do?
Visitors
Makers
- What are you looking for in a vendor?
- What is the booth size?
- How many people can populate a booth?
- Can we leave our setup overnight?
- Do exhibitors get passes that can be given to friends and family? Can exhibitors wander around the booths?
Please be in touch with any additional questions or concerns at info@makerfairetoronto.ca.
Makers & Visitors
Q. I still don’t get what a Maker is, you guys – help a reader/potential Enthusiast/possible participant out!
A. A Maker is anyone who enjoys Making Stuff — creative problem-solving with physical materials, whether it’s based in tech, crafts, or somewhere in-between. This TED talk by Make Magazine publisher and Maker Faire founder Dale Dougherty should go a ways toward explaining what a Maker is:
Q. Who are you guys, anyway?
A. We’re a small team made up of members of the Treehouse Group, Site 3 CoLaboratory, and various friends and associates thereof. We decided to get together to put on the Mini Maker Faire after some of us went to see the big one in Detroit and were blown away by how great it was. We got permission from Make to put on a smaller version, and have been spending all of our non-working time on it ever since (all of us except one have full-time day jobs elsewhere – we volunteer for The Love of it!)
Q. Why should I donate?
A. We would love for this to be a free event, but unfortunately that isn’t possible – there are too many associated costs! This is shaping up to be an awesome weekend of meeting neat people, engaging in stimulating conversations, taking part in great demonstrations, and hanging out at the Brick Works, though, so what’s not to support?
Plus, if you donate $25 or more through Ulule you get a watercolour robot drawing by illustrator John Martz; $100 or more and you get a customized illustration.
Q. What time the show will run on Friday, Saturday & Sunday?
A. The show will be open to the public from 10am – 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Friday night will be a special session reserved for participants, volunteers and sponsors.
Q. Will there be food available?
A. We will have some food vendors at the site, but if you’re planning to stay for the whole day you might want to bring some snacks! On the Saturday our event will take place at the same time as the Brick Works Farmers Market, which is a great place to get delicious waffles, crepes, bread, etc.
Q.
Will I need to bring cash?
A. Entry is by cash only if you don’t pre-pay for a ticket, and some vendors will only accept cash. As of Saturday afternoon the only ATM on the premises is broken so please make sure you have enough money before you come.
Q. What is the space like?
A. We’ll be taking over the Koerner Gardens and The Kilns at the Evergreen Brick Works – both amazing spaces even without us!
Click here go to the Toronto Mini Maker Faire Flickr Group
You can explore the grounds on Google Maps here.
Q. Is it indoor or outdoor?
A.The Koerner Gardens have an open roof, and the Kilns have full coverage with very high ceilings; both are protected by walls on all sides.
Q. Is the venue wheelchair-accessible?
A. Yes, the Brick Works is wheelchair-accessible.
Q. What is the target age for the activities? Will the programming appeal to my child’s creativity as well as my own?
A. We’re working with a variety of organisations, institutions, and individual Makers (Hackers and Crafters alike) to come up with some great programming and displays that will appeal to people of all ages.
Q. Where do I get tickets? Which types of payment are accepted at the event?
You can get tickets online at Eventbrite, or at the door. Please note that entry at the Brick Works will be by cash only.
Q. Oh man, I live on the WEST Coast but I still really want to come! What should I do?
A. Don’t worry! There’s a Mini Maker Faire being planned for Vancouver on June 25th & 26th of this year. More information can be found on their website here.
Visitors
Q. Can my child get in for free?
A. Children 2-and-under get in for free.
Q. What should we bring?
A. Bring your old jeans (to be upgraded with one of our vendors!), some snacks, a creative streak, and the whole family! There will be all kinds of activities to participate in, and awesome crafts to purchase and peruse.
Makers
Q. What are you looking for in a vendor?
A. Ideally you will not only be selling what you’ve made, but will also be able to show visitors a little bit about your process – maybe bring some partially-finished work, or work on your product while at the show if you have a moment.
Q. How many people can populate a booth?
Whether you’re an individual Maker or part of a group we’re happy to make accommodations – as long as we’re given enough notice! Let us know how many you are when you fill out either a Commercial or a Maker application.
Q. What is the booth size?
A. Generally individuals will have a table with a couple of chairs, depending on what’s required. For groups (hackerspaces/collectives/crafting co-ops) we have a bit of flexibility – let us know what your needs are when you fill out either a Commercial or a Maker application.
Q. Can we leave our setup overnight?
A. There will be security however it isn’t going to be super-tight, so if you want to ensure your valuables are safe you should plan to take them with you overnight. We can see what we can do to accommodate packing-up-related needs, but that’s where it stands right now.
Q. Do exhibitors get passes that can be given to friends and family? Can exhibitors wander around the booths?
A.Unfortunately no free passes will be given out for friends and family, but exhibitors are welcome (and even encouraged) to take a look at the booths at the location.
Sorry, this is a question: I made a pledge through Ulule that entitles me to a ticket to the faire. What proof do I need to show that I’ve already paid to get in? Will something be emailed to me? Has something already been emailed to me that I’ve overlooked?