🎨 Makerfest 2026 in Dunlap — Free Kids Entry & $1 Maker Activities at Old Putnam County Fairgrounds

Sequatchie Valley families looking for an affordable, creative summer outing will find Makerfest 2026 a natural fit for the region’s growing maker and DIY culture. The UC Makerspace is expanding its annual festival to include a significantly larger kids’ area, signaling growing community investment in hands-on learning and family-friendly events across the valley.

🎉 Makerfest 2026 is coming to July 18–19 at the Old Putnam County Fairgrounds, and the kids’ area is shaping up to be one of the biggest draws. UC Makerspace organizers are building out a dedicated zone packed with bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides, trampolines, train rides, face painting, crafts, and DIY maker projects—with more activities still being added. The best part for families: children 12 and under get free admission to the event, and for just $1, they gain access to all the maker activities in the Kids Area.

✨ Why You’ll Want to Be There

If you’re a parent or grandparent looking for a way to keep kids entertained, creative, and active without spending a fortune, Makerfest offers genuine value. 🏃 The combination of physical play—bounce houses, obstacle courses, trampolines—and hands-on making activities means kids can burn energy, explore their creativity, and learn something new all in one place. The $1 access to maker activities is designed to keep the festival accessible to families on any budget, making it possible to spend a full day without financial stress.

🗓️ When & 📍 Where

Date: July 18–19, 2026
Location: Old Putnam County Fairgrounds
Kids Area Admission: Free for children 12 and under; $1 for access to all maker activities

🎟️ How to Learn More & Attend

For full event details, vendor information, and any updates as the festival gets closer, visit ucmakerspace.org/makerfest. If you’re interested in becoming a vendor or partner at Makerfest, you can submit your information through the vendor form linked on the event page.

❤️ Community Impact

Makerfest reflects a broader shift in how Sequatchie Valley communities are thinking about family activities and youth engagement. 🛠️ By offering affordable, creative programming at a regional fairgrounds, the UC Makerspace is helping normalize maker culture—the idea that kids and families can build, design, and create together—as part of local summer traditions. Events like this also draw families from across the valley to a shared space, strengthening connections between neighboring communities and creating memories tied to the region itself.

💭 Questions Worth Thinking About

As Makerfest grows, a few questions may be worth considering: How might affordable, hands-on maker activities shape what kids in Sequatchie Valley think is possible to create or build? What other community spaces or events could benefit from this kind of accessible, creative programming? And how can families new to the area learn about events like this that bring the community together?

Mark your calendar for July 18–19, bring your family, and plan to spend a day at the Old Putnam County Fairgrounds. 🎪 Whether your kids are into bouncing, building, creating, or all three, there’s something waiting for them—and your wallet will thank you for the affordable fun.