Camping at Maker Faire Austin

MAKER FAIRE CAMPING INFORMATION & GUIDELINES

Camping is available only to weekend Maker Faire ticket holders and participating Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Makers in a designated area of the Travis County Expo Center and Fairgrounds.

Sponsors, Exhibitor, and Maker Camping - Will be available from Thursday, October 16th through Monday, October 20nd with access after 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 16th.

Maker Faire Weekend Ticket Holder Camping - Will be available on the nights of Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th with access after 3 p.m. on Friday, October 17th.

Camping Passes - $35 per adult or student over the age of 18 for the weekend. Those under 18 who have purchased a Maker Faire weekend ticket and are accompanied by a parent or guardian are free. Camping wristbands will be given to all those who are registered to camp.

Registration - You can register and pay online for your tent camping or RV campsites. Please print your confirmation letter to present at check-in. You will receive the following items on-site:

  • Maker Faire Entrance Tickets
  • Camp or RV Parking Permit
  • Wristband for each person camping
  • Campground Guidelines (if additional copy requested)
  • Camping Waiver - For review - to be signed onsite

The camping registration office will close each night at 8 p.m. Please plan on arriving to set up camp before 8 p.m.

Entrance and Check-in

Please enter through Gate One, which is the main Expo Center and Fairgrounds entrance. Follow the signs to Camping & RV entrance registration. Please bring your confirmation letter with you.

Each camper will be required to sign a waiver prior to receiving a camping wristband. Any camper under the age of 18 will require the signature of their parent or legal guardian. Each camper will then be given a camping wristband that must be worn at all times. These wristbands will be checked prior to allowing entry into the camping area and will assist the security team in make sure that only authorized individuals are allowed access to the camping area.

After you have registered, place the camp parking permit on your dashboard, locate a campsite, unload your car, and set up camp. You can park by your tent if space permits or park in the designated area for campers.

If you are camping with a group, just let us know at the time of your arrival. And, if everyone is not arriving at the same time, let the Campground Manager know how many others you anticipate and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

You will be responsible for marking off the area you would like to occupy and notifying the rest of your group as to where your camp spot is located. This is all done on a first-come basis. A message board will be available in the camping registration area for your use.

We also ask your cooperation and consideration of other campers by limiting the size of campsites to only what you and your group require for camping.

Tent Sites

Tent sites will be positioned on the perimeter of the fairgrounds in a designated area. Spaces will be on grass in an area with trees. You will have the opportunity to pick your spot and set up your site as you like. Please note there are no picnic tables or fire pits. There will be portable toilet facilities with sanitation stations to clean your hands within walking distance. There is no running water to the tent area so plan on bringing in water for drinking, cooking, and dishwashing.

Tent spaces will be large enough for you to park your car next to your campsite if you choose. Please note, for safety purposes, cars that are parked at the campsite will not have in / out access. If you need to drive your car, you will be parking in the closest designated parking area for the campsite.

RV Sites

RV spaces are limited and will need to be reserved in advance of the show. The RV parking areas will be identified in the area with access to hook-ups. The fee for Friday and Saturday night RV overnight parking will be $200 which will include hook-up for water and 110V power. An additional fee will be charged should you require additional power.

Please note there will be bulk water (not potable) and sewage pumping available on-site. The fee for water is $40 and the fee for pumping is $40 which you will pay in cash to the company providing these services. Please let us know at the time of registration if you would like to have either of these services. Servicing will be done on Sunday morning prior to the opening of the Maker Faire.

Food & Beverages

You are permitted to bring in your own food and beverages excluding alcohol. You are prohibited from bringing alcohol onto the Fairgrounds and coolers may be searched by security personnel upon entrance.

All food that you bring to your campsite must remain at your campsite for consumption, as you are not permitted to bring food from your campsite into the Maker Faire. There will be plenty of food at the Maker Faire as well as an area to purchase beer and wine on-site.

Camping Courtesy & Rules

Recycle your empties - we will have a designated area for all recyclable items. Help keep the campsite clean. Zip up your tent and your belongings.

Spaces for tents and RVs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campers are expected to behave in a manner that is courteous to other campers. Noise curfew is at 12 midnight. Please be kind to our sleeping neighbors. We would like to offer camping during the Maker Faire year after year!

Follow all no parking signage and marked fire lanes. Vehicles or camping structures found in marked fire lanes are subject to removal or towing at the owner's expense.

No alcohol, glass containers, weapons, or drugs allowed. These items will be confiscated and violators will be promptly removed from the venue without refund of tickets or camping fees.

No open fires allowed. The use of propane camp stoves and lanterns is permitted.

IMPORTANT - No animals will be allowed in the campground or the Expo Center and Fairgrounds. This is not a safe environment for our friends in the animal kingdom and we ask that you leave them safe at home!

No unauthorized vending - this will be strictly enforced.

Security Services/Medical and Safety Information

  • Drink plenty of water!
  • Wear sunscreen and/or a hat.
  • Carry and use a flashlight at night. Bring extra batteries.
  • Please be sure NOT to leave any valuables in your camping area. For additional protection, consider deterring unwanted entry by using a small combination lock on your tent or locking the items in your car.
  • Watch out for your neighbors. If you notice someone who does not belong in a tent or is acting suspiciously, notify the on-site security or the Campground Manager.
  • The organizers of Maker Faire, its crew, subcontracts, vendors, or volunteers are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged property.

There will be roving security throughout the campground area. Just to be safe, do not leave valuables in your tent.

First aid personnel will be on-site from Friday, October 17th through Sunday, October 19th during Maker Faire show hours.

Should an issue arise such as a camping space dispute, please contact the Campground Manager at Camping Registration for any assistance or guidance we can offer.

Departure

Everyone will be required to leave by 12:00 Noon on Monday, October 20, 2008. No exceptions.

Please take time to clean up your area and dispose of all your trash and recycling. We appreciate that you leave no trace!

FAQs

The average high temperature for Austin in October is 81ºF. The average low is 59ºF. Typical sky cover is clear.

There will be ATMs located on-site at the Expo Center and Fairgrounds.

The nearest convenience store and gas station is JD's Conoco located at 6575 Decker Lane, Austin. The telephone number is (512) 929-1877.

Sample Checklist

Gear
Sleeping bags / Air mattresses
Camping chairs and tables
Flashlights / Batteries A, AA, AAA
Lanterns or Headlamps
Tools / Knives / Scissors
Tent and tent stakes
Rope / String / Duct tape
Two-way radios
Shade structures / Hat / Sunglasses
Water for drinking and for dish washing
Cookware / Utensils / Cups for beverages
Coolers / Ice / Containers
Food for campground area only
Stoves / Lighters
Garbage bags
Fire Extinguisher

First Aid Kit
Advil / Aspirin / Tylenol / Motrin
Band-Aids / Neosporin / Bandages
Benadryl / Insect bite medication
Pepto / Rolaids
Aloe gel

Personal Supplies
Lip Balm
Earplugs
Eye drops
Toilet Paper / Tissue packets / Handi-wipes
Insect repellent
Mirror
Sunscreen / Lotion / Hat
Soap bars / Hand sanitizer / Deodorant
Toothpaste / toothbrush / mouthwash

Maker Faire Camping Liability Agreement

Assumption of Risk and Release. You agree that you are voluntarily camping at Maker Faire Austin with knowledge of the risks of doing so, such as the risks of injury and property loss or damage due to the activities and/or actions of your group or other campers, and/or the active or passive negligence of O'Reilly Media, Inc., and/or Maker Faire sponsors and suppliers, including the Travis County Expo Center and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and exhibitors (collectively, "we" or "us"). You, for yourself and on behalf of your minor children release us from all liability, claims, damage, or demands arising from or related to your camping on the grounds of Travis County Exposition Center grounds during Maker Faire.

You acknowledge that you have read this Agreement and understand that it includes an assumption of the risk and a release of liability. We are relying on this waiver in allowing you to camp during Maker Faire.

Thank you for taking the time to read our Camping Guideline

For additional information regarding camping, please contact Valerie Aubel at or 415.720.5655

See you at the Maker Faire!

View our sites
MAKE Craft Maker Shed Store Make: television

Maker Faire.

 

Maker Faire is sponsored by:

View full list of sponsors