First Maker Faire Has Finally Happened In CNY CNY First Maker Faire

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) —After a nearly two-year pandemic delay, the first Central New York Maker Faire Syracuse has finally happened.

“We’ve been missing an opportunity like Makers Faire for so long while other cities have had that and get the talents of the Central New York region to showcase what they are doing,” Co-chair of Maker Faire Pauline Shostack said.

Syracuse engineers and crafters came together for the first Maker Faire in Onondaga  County. They get to share their passion with the Syracuse community during this event. 

This year’s Maker Faire has provided more than 65 high technology jobs with high salaries in Syracuse. Shostack said  Maker Faire is an opportunity for people to seek technological jobs.

“We have lots of industries here in Syracuse that are struggling to fill positions,” said Shostack，“Some of those companies will be there with interactive activities and to talk about their company.”

According to Shostack, Maker Faire helped to motivate some people to consider a possible career in an area that they didn’t consider before.

Maker Faire is a space where hobbyists put their creations on display to help others find new passions.

“So, maybe, you never know, that little kid will say on one of these days, I wanna make something like that or I’d like to do this or that,” Michael (Sid) Pileski, the manager of Engines and Mechanical Creations said.

Pileski said Maker Faire is a place to expose kids to technological things.

Stan Munro, an engineer at Toothpick-world Company, said the faire gives him a chance to show off the products of his passions but also introduce him to new ones.

 “And I gonna tell you this is one of the most impressive first year Maker Faires,” Munro said, “Everywhere you look, there’s something incredible to see.”

According to Shostack, Maker Faire reminds people that they’re all information creators.

“We’re all consuming information these days and we’re very comfortable with that,” she said. “So I think sometimes we forget that we’re information creators as well. “

This Maker Faire was filled with exciting innovations.  For example, Mike Grieb, coordinator of Maker Faire, with his team developed obstacle courses for kids to fly drones through.

“And it’s part of our geographical, spatial technology program in Syracuse and also an electro mechanical drone technology program here at Onondaga Community College,” Grieb said.

Grieb said it has taken three years to develop this big family event. This event is for all people who love technology.

“The Maker Faire is really for everyone,” Grieb said. “It has lots of things for small kids, but it also has a lot of things that adults can enjoy.”

Some groups, like the Astronomical Society or the RC flying planes group, don’t have a venue to really share with the community what they’re passionate about.

Maker Faire is a perfect way for these groups to recruit new members and to show people what kind of interests are out there. The Maker Faire team is expected to start planning next year’s event with Syracuse added to the itinerary. If you are a technology fan, do not miss this event next time.