Tualatin's public Makerspace has drawn nearly 24,000 visits since it opened five years ago, and the city is throwing a party to celebrate.

The free anniversary event runs Saturday, Oct. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tualatin Public Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave. The city's announcement says the celebration will feature hands-on equipment demos, a group project and prizes. The first 50 guests will take home a free tote bag with materials to design a custom iron-on pattern.

The Makerspace launched its first Open Lab on Oct. 17, 2021, after a COVID-19 spike in Oregon delayed the opening by several months. Just 11 people walked through the door that first day. Since then, more than 3,600 people have used the 735-square-foot space, which sits inside the library with its own separate entrance.

The facility focuses on STEAM learning, short for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. It aims to expand technology access for young people in Tualatin, according to the library's website. At its 2021 opening, the space was funded by the City of Tualatin with support from the Tualatin Library Foundation.

When the doors first opened, Makerspace librarian Kit Lorelied told Tualatin Life in November 2021 that enthusiasm was immediate.

"People would come in and each person has a different thing that they were looking at where you could see the lightbulbs going on where they could see what projects they were going to make," Lorelied said.

Past projects include 3D-printed loom parts and popsicle-stick leprechaun traps, according to the city.

All equipment is free. The current lineup includes an xTool P2S laser cutter, a Baby Lock Celebrate serger and a 3Doodler Create+ pen, among other tools. Anyone with a signed waiver can visit. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and some equipment requires certification and is limited to ages 15 and up.

Beyond the anniversary party, the Makerspace holds regular Open Lab sessions: Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.