The second annual Austin Maker Faire kicks off tomorrow at the Travis County Expo Center. Today is the last day to buy discount tickets to this fabulous celebration of all things do-it-yourself. Discounted tickets are available at the Whole Foods on Lamar and at the Austin Children's Museum until the close of business today. If you can't make it downtown, tickets are available online and will be sold at the door. The number of awesome exhibits, projects, demonstrations, and of course robots is somewhat daunting, but the organized folks from Make Magazine have put together a comprehensive schedule, map, and program guide for the event.
Check out our Maker Faire Mini-Site for event previews and interviews with selected Makers. Stop by the Austinist table at the event if you need a break from the constant barrage of awesomeness (we'll try not to be too awesome, promise).
If you're still not convinced to clear your weekend calendar, continue reading after the jump for a run down of exhibits you won't want to miss, and to see videos of the Life Size Mouse Trap and the Diet Coke and Mentos! Fountain in action.
If you're still not convinced to clear your weekend calendar, here's a brief rundown of exhibits you won't want to miss:
Life Sized Mouse Trap: A 25 ton version of the board game we're all nostalgic for, but never played because it was too damn hard to set up. Complete with flame throwing lamps, a 30 foot crane, and a two ton bank safe, this contraption will catch the attention of everyone at Maker Faire.
The EepyBird and Diet Coke and Mentos! Mega Fountains: See the YouTube phenomenon in person. Watch patient guys in lab coats get covered in soda as their hours of set up work pays off in a series of spectacular synchronized gushes.
Art Cars: dozens of tricked out vehicles will be on display, including Houston's own Sashimi Tabernacle Choir Art Car. This singing fish mobile consists of one Volvo, over 250 singing Billy Bass fish, 300 pounds of batteries, two computers, more than five miles of wire, and an operatic score. We just hope they don't park right next to the Austinist table.
Halloween Activities: Costume making (with help!) at Swap-O-Rama-Rama, pumpkin painting, and grisly special effects trick unveiled. Come learn spooky tricks from the finest Makers in the land!
Model Rocketry: Build and launch a model rocket on the fair grounds with help from the Austin Area Rocketry Group.
