Fourth Annual Maker Faire Detroit Opens Saturday at The Henry Ford

DEARBORN — This weekend, more than 400 tinkers, hackers and inventors will make their way to The Henry Ford for the fourth annual Maker Faire Detroit event.

Recognized by both the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate as "Maker Faire Detroit Weekend," this two-day festival features a little bit of everything for the whole family—from baseball pitching robots, flame shooters and animatronics to mega-sized board games, remote controlled hot air balloons and handmade crafts.

Nearly 100 new makers will debut this year, including the University of Michigan Mars Roverteam, Sterling Heights resident Chris Prout and his Eggcellent Eggbot Experience, the Weird Sisters Circus from Madison Heights, Ben’s Encore Science of Sound from Detroit, and the Glass Academy from Dearborn.

Guests will also get a chance to see items from The Henry Ford’s own collection, including the kitchen sink engine and the Quadricycle as part of Henry Ford’s 150th birthday celebration.

Maker Faire Detroit favorites returning for 2013 include The LifeSize Mousetrap, EepyBird with Coke and Mentos, and the fire-breathing art-car dragon Gon KiRin.

Along with entertainment, guests will also have a variety of culinary delights to choose from including a selection from The Henry Ford’s award-winning culinary team. 

Visitors wanting the ultimate Maker Faire experience can download the Maker Faire Detroit app for information on exhibiting makers, daily schedules and maps. Built by event sponsor Compuware, the Maker Faire app is available for download through the iTunes store. Additionally Compuware’s Professional Services Division will host a “Hack the Museum” event during Maker Faire Detroit.

The “hackathon” will feature 25 teams in a one-day design and development challenge as they create applications that combine The Henry Ford’s digital collection with other mobile, digital and social elements. No entry fee is required to compete, and participants will receive a free one-day ticket to Maker Faire Detroit.

Teams can register for the event at www.hackathon.makerfairedetroit.com.

Ticket prices for Maker Faire Detroit are $28 for adults (13-61), $19 for youth (5-12), and $26 for seniors (62 and up) and can be purchased now. Children ages 4 and under are free.

Members of The Henry Ford receive 50 percent off admission to Maker Faire Detroit. Shuttle service to Maker Faire is sponsored by the University of Michigan-Dearborn and is available at the Fairlane campus located at 19000 Hubbard Drive in Dearborn.

For more information, visit www.makerfairedetroit.com or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/makerfairedetroit.