CAMDEN — The third annual Midcoast Mini Maker Faire is returning to Camden Sept. 15. Have a hands-on activity to share with the community? The organizers invite makers, inventors, craftspeople, and performers of all ages to participate.

Applications are being accepted online now at midcoastmakerfaire.com. The application process is free and there is no charge to exhibit at the Faire.

The Maker Faire motto is "Make, create, recycle, build, think, play, and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science, and technology!" A Maker Faire is a place where inventors, artists, tinkerers, thinkers, and learners share their passions for innovation, creativity, and do-it-yourself activities. It is "the greatest show-and-tell on earth!" according to a news release.

This year the Midcoast Mini Maker Faire intends to return to its high-tech roots with several indoor exhibits of concepts and gadgets inside the Camden Public Library, to complement the family-friendly, hands-on, and high-tech display under the tent in the Amphitheatre.

In the past, the Maker Faire has also sported vehicle displays from bicycles to electric cars, a solar-powered merry-go-round, and a gassification project outdoors on the grounds of the Amphitheatre and Park.

This year, a limited number of "commercial makers" will be accepted. For a modest fee of $50 commercial makers will be allowed to sell their wares and will be expected to offer a hands-on activity or demonstration.

The Midcoast Mini Maker Faire is produced under the auspices of the Camden Public Library with support from Midcoast Magnet, PBRCC, and sponsorship from Bangor Savings Bank and Make Magazine. Exhibitors represent a wide variety of makers, including but not limited to those who work in traditional crafts; artists who work in any medium (from canvas to fiber); technologists with expertise in robots, arduinos, or other electronics; urban gardeners who use innovative techniques like aquaponics or who keep bees; food-makers who brew beer/soda; musicians who make (or hack) instruments; energy experts who use wind, solar, and other technologies to power communities; and any idea that can be dreamed up.

The Maker Faire welcomes both established and emerging makers to apply.

Last year's event drew approximately 800 attendees of all ages. More than twenty local makers demonstrated projects including funky fermentation, cyanotypes, modular origami, illustrated six-word memoirs, foam flyers and quadcopters, and Lego robots. "I have really enjoyed the mix of tech and arts accessible to both kids and adults to stimulate all our creative minds!" said one of last year's participants in the news release,

A Maker Faire is where people show what they make and share what they know. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, and students of all ages and backgrounds.

This is a free, family-friendly event open to all ages. Featuring do-it-yourself science and technology, robots, crafts, and art, this family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness is a joyous celebration of the "Maker movement." It's a place where people show what they are making and share what they are learning.

The first Maker Faire occurred in 2005 in San Mateo, CA and was sponsored by Make and Craft magazines. It has since grown to more than 100 events in 10 different countries. More than 200,000 people attend the annual Flagship Maker Faires.

Learn more about the Midcoast Mini Maker Faire online a midcoastmakerfaire.com or its Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/MidcoastMakerFaire.