Setting up a DIY extravaganza at Maker Faire (photos)

SAN MATEO, Calif.--It's hard to believe that Maker Faire will be making its sixth annual visit here this weekend. But with the DIY movement in full swing these days, it's no surprise that the festival keeps on winning over new converts and keeps growing. From the first-ever Maker Faire, which took place here in 2006, the event is now held in cities around the world. And while the first-ever iteration of this DIY bacchanalia drew just 20,000 curious souls, the rumor is that there will be more than 100,000 on hand this weekend.

The masses will descend Saturday, but Friday was setup day, and throughout the giant San Mateo County Event Center, the makers were busy putting together their diverse collection of robots, singing tesla coils, giant battleship tanks, and felt Flying Spaghetti Monsters.

Friday was also education day at Maker Faire, and there were about 1,300 school kids on hand. These kids were treated to all kinds of exhibitions, including one by the Eepy Birds, the duo famous for choreographing the fountains that occur when you drop Mentos into Diet Coke.

Here, we see that fountain of soda, while a group of kids looks on.