Farmington Community Chest Supports a Day of Creativity at the 2026 Maker Fair

On a Sunday afternoon in March, the Farmington Library felt less like a quiet place for books and more like the creative heartbeat of the community.

The 2026 Maker Fair brought together local artisans, families, and curious minds of all ages for an interactive, hands-on experience that turned the library into a space for making, experimenting, and connecting. From coding to Lego® building to kite making, the event showcased people coming together, sharing what they love, and inviting others to get involved in the process.

The Farmington Community Chest was proud to support that spirit, granting $1,000 to help bring the Maker Fair to life.

“This event is such a natural extension of what the library stands for,” said Farmington Libraries Executive Director Jocelyn Kennedy. “It’s about access, creativity, and giving people the opportunity to explore something new in a welcoming space. Support from organizations like the Farmington Community Chest makes it possible for us to offer programming like this to the entire community.”

And that accessibility was on full display. Throughout the afternoon, the library buzzed with activity as visitors moved from table to table, trying their hand at new skills, asking questions, and engaging directly with the people behind the work. Some of the activities included needle felting, 3-D printing, robotics, making your own boats, constellation creation, and more. Local businesses, and organizations including Winding Trails, the Farmington Land Trust, and Jackson Labs were all on hand to lend their expertise. 

It’s that interaction that sets the Maker Fair apart. This isn’t a passive experience. It’s one where creativity feels approachable, where kids and adults alike are encouraged to jump in, get their hands involved, and maybe even surprise themselves.

For the Farmington Community Chest, supporting events like the Maker Fair is exactly the point.

“Our mission has always been about strengthening the Farmington community in tangible ways,” said Chris Andrews, President of the Farmington Community Chest. “When we can help create opportunities for people to come together, learn something new, and connect with one another, that’s a meaningful investment. The Maker Fair is a perfect example of that in action.”

In a time when so much of daily life happens behind screens, there’s something refreshing about an event centered on making something real, whether that’s a piece of art, a technology project, or simply a shared experience between people of different generations.



The Maker Fair is a reminder that creativity doesn’t belong to a select few. It lives in the community, in the willingness to try, and in spaces like the Farmington Library that make it all feel possible. Thanks to the collaboration between local organizations, makers, and supporters, it’s an experience that continues to grow, year after year.