Makers Faire returns to Dubuque at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Makers Faire back at National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium 

Makers Faire, a celebration of artisan craftsmanship and the era before mass production, will be held Saturday, August 14, 2021, at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

 This year’s celebration will be the first Makers Faire since the opening of River of Innovation and the River Museum’s own MakerSpace.  

“This event dovetails perfectly with River of Innovation, which prominently features the ingenuity and craftsmanship of those tied to the river over the decades,” said Wendy Scardino, Director of Marketing and Communications. “Between the Makers Faire activities and the 9,000-square-foot exhibit, visitors will experience the maker spirit of yesterday and see how innovation has transformed the way we do things today.” 

 Activities scheduled for the day include: 

• Activity tables will include - metal rubbings, button making, jewelry making, soap making, and thaumotropes (optical toys) 
• Blacksmiths will be working in the blacksmith shop 
• Premier Tooling & Manufacturing will be have a booth 
• Dubuque Community Schools will bring robots from their robotics team 
• MakerSpace will provide both free sewing activities as well as paid maker activities 

Makers Faire is included with general admission to the River Museum and free for members and those under three. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the box office. Most craft activities will take place in the campus boatyard. For more information, visit rivermuseum.com. 

The author, Tim Koehler, is a native to the Dubuque area, long-time radio host, dork, father, part-time toupee model, very stable genius and horse stable shoveller, regular napper, Time Magazine Person of the Year 2006, teller of stories, and bad dad jokes.