# Nomad · Maker Faire Orange County: sources Row #49 of `experiences_v1.csv` (research pass 3 Oct 2026, IST). Dates and deadlines come from `cal.py` (date check 4 Oct 2026, IST), which is the source of truth for dates, with the 4 Oct 2026 source-rule audit applied. The page deliberately shows **no prices** and no contact emails; see the official site. | Fact used | Source | |---|---| | Name, place (OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, California, USA), continent | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ (primary) · https://oc.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/ (secondary) | | Usual timing: September | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ (primary) · https://oc.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/ (secondary) | | What you build / use: BUILD & exhibit your own project (robotics, 3D printing, crafts, art, cooking); or visit | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ (primary) · https://oc.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/ (secondary) | | How a traveller takes part: Apply through the Call for Makers (via the MakerAlley platform) to exhibit; volunteer; or visit | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ (primary) · https://oc.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/ (secondary) | | Participation level: Build-exhibit (application) | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ (primary) · https://oc.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/ (secondary) | | Entry requirements / deadline: 2027 Call for Makers not published yet (2026 deadline: 3 Aug 2026) | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ (primary) · https://oc.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/ (secondary) | | Verification note (research pass): Dates and venue from the organiser's home page ('OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa, CA, Sept 11 & 12, 2027') (checked 1 Nov 2026). Run by OCreate LLC under licence from Make: Community. The call for makers and maker manual still describe 2026; 2027 details TBC. | experiences_v1.csv | | Date: 11–12 Sep 2027: Maker Faire Orange County 2027. Organiser: 11-12 Sep 2027, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa. The 2027 call TBC. Build/use: Exhibit your own project; or visit. How to join: Apply through the Call for Makers (2027 call not published yet); volunteer; or visit. | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ | | Take-part route "Exhibit your project" (Team entry): Apply through the Call for Makers on the MakerAlley platform to show robotics, 3D printing, crafts, art, cooking or anything you made. The 2027 call is not published yet; the 2026 deadline was 3 Aug. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above | | Take-part route "Visit the faire" (Watch & buy local): A family-friendly weekend of makers of all ages sharing their projects and hands-on activities. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above | | Check note: 2027 dates: 11-12 Sep 2027 at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa (organiser's home page). | CSV verification notes / dated items above | | Check note: Volunteers help with set-up, hands-on activities, stages and maker support; sign-up is on the organiser's volunteer page. | CSV verification notes / dated items above | | Check note: The faire is run by OCreate LLC under licence from Make: Community. The call for makers and maker manual pages still describe 2026. | CSV verification notes / dated items above | ## Skills you'll need (section 03) | Fact used | Source | |---|---| | Skills (this experience): Preparing a maker project for public exhibition (working demo, safety, power needs); Writing a clear Call for Makers application with a good project image; Running an interactive stand and explaining your project to visitors | Skills research, checked 2026-11-01 (IST) | | Difficulty (our estimate): Some practice (you need a working project); prep time (our estimate): 2-6 weeks to polish a project for exhibition. Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures. | Curiosta editorial estimate | | Refresher, practice and safety steps: Maker Faire Orange County is on 11-12 Sep 2027 at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa (organiser's home page). / In 2026 makers applied through the MakerAlley platform: create a profile, add your projects, then sign up for the faire. / In 2026 tables, chairs and power were provided; outdoor space was available and indoor space was waitlisted. / Write the application around what visitors will see and do: a clear photo, what is new about it, and the space and power you need. / Make the exhibit safe to stand next to: guard moving parts, hot surfaces and batteries; tidy cables; plan for crowds and children. / Make the stand self-explanatory: signs, process photos and something people can touch or try. / Have a 30-second story ready: why you built it, what you learned, what's next. / Plan load-in, set-up and take-down, spares and a repair kit; demos break. / Demo your project to friends or at a local makerspace and note the questions they ask. / Write your 30-second pitch and a one-page project sign. / Run your project for a full faire day to find failure points. / Read the maker manual for load-in times, parking and safety rules. / Follow the organiser's safety and electrical rules for exhibits. / Keep moving parts, heat and batteries guarded and away from small hands. / Confirm the 2027 dates, hours and call before you book travel. | Our summary of the resources below | | Resource (Official; publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)): Maker Faire Orange County: The 2027 dates and venue, and how to take part as a maker or volunteer. | https://oc.makerfaire.com/ | | Resource (Official; publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)): Call for Makers: What the faire looks for and how to apply through MakerAlley (2026 details). | https://oc.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/ | | Resource (Official; publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)): Maker Manual: Load-in, parking, booth tips, safety and electrical guidelines. | https://oc.makerfaire.com/maker-manual/ | | Resource (Official; publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)): Volunteer: What volunteers do and how to sign up. | https://oc.makerfaire.com/volunteer/ | | Resource (Community-accepted; publisher: Make: Community (Make: magazine)): Tips for Makers: The Basics of Boothing: Practical advice on signage, interaction and staffing an exhibit. Why accepted: Make: founded Maker Faire and owns the brand; its boothing tips are the standard advice for Maker Faire exhibitors. | https://makezine.com/article/education/tips-for-makers-the-basics-of-boothing/ | ## Check notes shown on the page - 2027 dates: 11-12 Sep 2027 at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa (organiser's home page). - Volunteers help with set-up, hands-on activities, stages and maker support; sign-up is on the organiser's volunteer page. - The faire is run by OCreate LLC under licence from Make: Community. The call for makers and maker manual pages still describe 2026. ## Our grouping - Levels shown: Team entry, Watch & buy local (our grouping of the CSV participation level "Build-exhibit (application)"). - Usual months used by the month filter: Sep.