Makers, entrepreneurs, innovators and tinkerers of all ages and skill levels will pour onto Quality Lane on August 12th from noon-5pm for the Grand Opening of The MINT: Rutland’s Makerspace and the 3rd Annual Rutland Mini Maker Faire. The MINT will be buzzing with tool demonstrations, tours, make-it-and-take-it stations and makers showcasing their creations. Everyone attending the Grand Opening will be entered into a drawing to win a drone donated by the Rutland Economic Development Corporation, a major MINT sponsor. Other major sponsors
crucial to getting the maker movement off the ground in Rutland include Green Mountain Power, VELCO, Casella, Russell Construction, Castleton University and BROC. Special thanks to Ann Clark Cookie Cutters for designing a custom MINT logo cookie cutter for the Grand Opening. The first 150 attendees at The MINT Grand Opening will receive this collectible cutter free.
The Rutland Mini Maker Faire will feature booths with some of Vermont’s most exciting and ingenious makers. Pete Talbot and Ben Matchstick from Cardboard Teck Instantute will display the Pinbox 3000, their infinitely customizable cardboard pinball machine kit. Cynthia Day, intrepid educator-maker, will be providing supplies for attendees to create Jitterbugs and Scribblebots, small non-programmable, vibratory robots. Jake Blend will be presenting the World’s Largest Spirograph. The Green Mountain Astronomers will be showing their telescopes, including some made right here in Rutland. There’s something for every maker and curious person. The Rutland Mini Maker Faire is a celebration of the Do It Yourself and homegrown invention movement. Whether it’s a home-built robot, video game, handbag, miniature race car, musical instrument, or sustainable micro garden, the Rutland Mini Maker Faire showcases all that is creative and innovative in our community.
The MINT is the new hub of the creative economy in Rutland county, and is still taking new members. It’s a collaborative workshop and learning space with shared tools and equipment for anyone who wants to make things. Come join us! For more information about The MINT: Rutland’s Makerspace, see rutlandmint.org. For more information about the Mini Maker Faire or to apply to be a maker or to volunteer at the Faire, see rutlandmakerfaire.com.