The York County Mini Maker Faire, a free event for kids and adults alike, returns to the Pepperell Mill Center, 40 Main St., in Biddeford on Sunday, Nov. 3. The fair drew more than 2,000 people in 2018. Courtesy Photo by Tammy Ackerman

BIDDEFORD — Those interested in mini drone races, robotics, art, makerspaces, soldering, blacksmithing, permaculture, wheatpasting, basket weaving, juggling, dance, music and more, can learn and get hands-on experience in these activities on Sunday.

That is the date for the second annual York County Mini Maker Faire, produced by Biddeford-based arts organization Engine. The event, which takes place on a 26,000-square-foot historic textile manufacturing factory floor , will feature more than 50 makers, said Engine Executive Director Tammy Ackerman.

“Maker Faires are participatory,” said Ackerman. “There’s lots of things people of all ages can enjoy. It’s a great family outing.”

In 2018, the Mini Maker Faire’s first year, Ackerman wasn’t sure how many people to expect; 2,000 turned out. She said she hopes even more will attend Sunday’s event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at Pepperell Mill Center, 40 Main St., Biddeford.

The York County Mini Maker Faire will take place in Biddeford on Sunday. Shown is an exhibit from last year’s fair. Courtesy Photo by Tammy Ackerman

Last year, Ackerman said, people told her they planned to attend the free event for 30 minutes and ended spending a couple of hours at the venue, which featured exhibits, hands-on events, lots of music, food vendors and more.

Participatory exhibits include the Create It Lab experimentation center, Engine’s animation station, the TASK Art Party corner, and the massive Rube Goldberg Machine organized by the Open Bench Project. The listing of Makers & Exhibits can be found at yorkcounty. makerfaire.com/makers-exhibits/

This year’s headliners are three teens whose own curiosity and interest have garnered them national attention, she said.

Allie Weber of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Elijah Horlund of Brooklyn, New York, can be seen on this season of Mythbusters Jr. and Gabriella White is the founder of Architecture Reaching Communities Helping to Inspire Youth (A.R.C.H.Y.), an organization that seeks to disrupt the status quo and create more diversity in the architecture, STEAM and design fields.

At 1 p.m., a discussion followed by a Q&A session with the three teens will be moderated by Dan Ryder, a nationally-recognized, award-winning educator from Farmington. Ryder will be hosting a discussion, ”Let’s Talk About Human Centered Makerspaces,” for parents, teachers, students, and school administrators at 3 p.m.

Among the events not to be missed, Ackerman said, is a wheatpasting workshop by artist Pigeon, and a basket weaving workshop by Native American artist Sarah Sockbeson.

Historic mill and downtown tours will be offered as well. The full schedule can be seen at yorkcounty. makerfaire.com/schedule/

The York County Mini Maker Faire is a member of a group of more than 190 smaller, independently produced “Mini Maker Faires” and over 30 larger scale Featured Maker Faires that take place around the world.

Those interested can register for free tickets at yorkcounty.makerfaire.com/tickets/

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@mainelymediallc.com