Category Archives: News

Feedback From Attendees of Norfolk Mini Maker Faire

Thank you for helping to support the Norfolk Mini Makers Faire.

The event was a smashing success and if you did not know it, this was the first Maker Faire in Virginia as well as for our area. Once again this proved the area is full of many different and diverse creative types and we really appreciate your support in helping to be part of this success.

Some Quick Stats:
Total # of Makers on day of event: 46
Total Inside Attendance: 1,400+
First Aid: 1 Band-Aid

The inside and outside areas of the event were a bustle of activity and the facebook page has pictures being shared by attendees, makers and staff. https://www.facebook.com/MakerFaireNorfolk

With that said we are looking forward to next years Maker Faire and would like to get your feedback. While this went successfully for the first one, we know we can make it even better. If you would please take a brief moment to fill this survey out it would greatly benefit us (and give you a chance to tell us from your perspective how things went).

Survey Link: http://beauturner.wufoo.com/forms/norfolk-mini-maker-faire-2012-attendee-feedback/

Thanks again and looking forward to more AWESOME from each of you!

It’s almost upon us!

It’s been a while in the making, and now the time has come. Tomorrow morning at 10:00am some of the area’s most creative minds will be gathered to inspire, and entertain you. We’ve put something together that we hope you all will enjoy, and leave you wanting to build, change, and explore on your own. Perhaps we’ll even see some of you presenting next year.

The Norfolk Mini Maker Faire will be open to the public from 10:00am – 5:00pm on October 20th, and registration will be open until 9:00am. Registration is free, and not required, but does enter you in a drawing for prizes from Make, and O’Reilly Media.

Maker Faire Event Location: Norfolk Scope, 201 East Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510

We have maker exhibits both inside, and outside of the building, so be sure you don’t miss anything.

Parking for the event is available at nearby garages, directly across the street from the event as well as the open field directly across from the Scope. Cost varies based on time, etc…

You may also park at the lightrail station at Harbor Park, then take the train (The Tide) to Monticello station. Just one block over from The Scope.

We hav received notice that one of the tunnels to get from Hampton to Norfolk will be closed on Friday evening and over the weekend (leaving Norfolk back to Hampton is fine at any time). For those unfamiliar, this is the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel 64 Southbound. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) lists alternative routes as the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel or the James River Bridge (depending on where you are coming from).

We look forward to seeing you there.

Maker Registration Closed

Thank you all for your submissions. We’ve heard from some really awesome groups. At this time we will not be accepting any more applications to appear as a maker for 2012. We have reached capacity! Attendee registration, on the other hand, will be open until early Saturday morning.

Remember, registration is free, and while you don’t have to register to attend, you won’t be included in the door prize drawings if you don’t register.

We look forward to seeing everyone, makers, and attendees alike, this Saturday October 20th.

A word from your Norfolk Mini Maker Faire hosts…

Hello everyone! It’s been a wild time leading up to what is going to be an absolutely amazing first Norfolk Mini Maker Faire! This is Hampton Road’s first large scale DIY festival, and so far the list of Makers is simply amazing! In running the 757 Labs hackerspace/makerspace, we meet a pretty good cross section of people in Hampton Roads that make things, but it’s no comparison to all of the great people that have contacted us so far interested in demonstrating things they are working on.

We have quite a bit of space, so we can squeeze in more Makers that may have just recently heard about the event.

On the topic of spreading the word, being the first DIY festival of it’s kind in the Hampton Roads area brings us to the challenge of spreading the word. If you could, please tell your friends about the Norfolk Mini Maker Faire! Word has spread far and wide, but we don’t want to leave anyone out!

You can download and print our flyers:
Half page flyer (to be cut in half)

Full page flyer for 8.5″ x 11″

Also, don’t forget to like us on Facebook and Google+ and invite your friends!

Planning to attend? Please register for free tickets to the event! This also qualifies you to win prizes from the awesome Makershed!

Norfolk Mini Maker Faire & Ignite-HR will be at Granby Street Experience!

Just a heads up that on Friday September 7th from 6pm to 9pm Norfolk Mini Maker Faire and Ignite-HR will have tables set up on Granby Street for the Granby Street Experience event. The city of Norfolk is shutting down Granby Street for a special event showcasing some local things that are happening, and Norfolk Mini Maker Faire will be there showcasing a few of the makers that will be attending the Norfolk Mini Maker Faire. In addition, some past Ignite talks will be shown and tickets will be available to Ignite-HR which happens the night before the Norfolk Mini Maker Faire at 6pm at the theater in Nauticus.

More information is available about the Granby Street Experience at their official website!

Norfolk Mini Maker Faire – October 20th 2012

October 20th, 2012 at the Norfolk Scope starting at 10:00 AM marks a new era for the Hampton Roads region.   Norfolk Mini Maker Faire is happening!

We’ve reserved the inside underground expo hall as well as the outside plaza area of the Norfolk Scope facility. We’re starting to spread the word, it’s on. The outdoor plaza will be for creations and exhibits that involve fire or need outdoor space. The indoor space will be for all the other exciting exhibits and displays. Being a professional venue, the Scope is set up to make all of this easily handicap accessible.

We’re going to need your help. If you make things, create things, or think something you do would be interesting to the visitors of Norfolk Mini Maker Faire please submit an application to be a maker. The application form is under the “Makers” heading. The event is free to makers.

Want to attend? It’s totally free, and registration gets you entered into a contest to win some really exciting prizes from O’Reilly and the Maker Shed. Registration for attendees can be found under Attend.

Lastly we will be adding sponsors shortly.

Can’t wait to see you at this epic event!