2024 Victorian Stroll- Information for Volunteers & Vendors

Tech Valley Center of Gravity is thrilled to participate in the 42nd annual Troy Victorian Stroll. The Stroll is an important event for the downtown Troy community, drawing in thousands of visitors to the area. It is an exciting opportunity to open our doors and expand our community presence. 

Stroll festivities at TVCOG will take place on Sunday, December 8 from 11am-5pm.

During this year’s Stroll, we will be hosting a small Maker’s Market, a STEAM workshop for children ages 4-12 in the THINQubator, holding demonstrations in some shops, and featuring member projects throughout the space. Stroll participants will be encouraged to go on self-guided tours of the space, aided by a detailed map and event signage. 

We would like to invite all TVCOG members to join us for this event!

There are several ways to participate in this year’s Stroll:

• Volunteer!
• Exhibit a project!
• Be a Market Vendor- this option is also open to the public!

You can learn more about each option in the tabs below. 

Volunteers make this event possible! For this year’s Stroll, we are looking to fill the following positions:

• Front desk/greeter: 3 hour shift

These volunteers would be responsible for greeting guests at the front desk, answering questions about the event and the COG. 

• Work zone "guard:" 3 hour shift

These volunteers would be responsible for guarding a particular zone and answering questions about it.  Zone "guards" should be knowledgeable about the Zone, and are encouraged to use the equipment on their own projects during their shift.

If they are comfortable doing so, work zone guards can also sign up to do shop demos during their shift. 

Unlike the personal projects zone guards are working on, demos will be listed on the event program and will have set start times.

• Shop Demos: Time commitment varies

These volunteers would be responsible for providing demonstrations in the workshops (downstairs only) that can be listed on the event schedule. Demos should be short (approx 10-15 minutes) and should utilize scrap materials or materials donated by the volunteer. Demo volunteers may sell their items if desired. Time commitment varies depending on how many demonstrations you would like to run, if you’re also a vendor etc. If you are interested in volunteering only to do a demo, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to coordinate directly.

• Set-Up and Clean-Up: Time commitment varies

These volunteers would be responsible for helping TVCOG staff with event set-up and clean-up. This is a flexible option, and any help is greatly appreciated!

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this form here. If you are interested in volunteering but can not commit to the volunteer schedule, please fill out the form and make a note of your availability in the "comments" section. 

This year, we want to put a spotlight on the amazing projects that our members have worked on in our space. We’re asking to borrow projects from members to put on display for the duration of the event. Each display item will have an 'About Me' card, with the members name (optional) and a short blurb about the project. If you think you have something that could be a great display, please email a photo and a short item description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We have limited space and will be prioritizing large projects, especially items made using equipment in the shops downstairs. Items must be dropped off by 8pm on Saturday, December 7 and picked up by Monday, December 9.

This year, TVCOG is also seeking members to create larger-scale installations for the event. These installations should be made at TVCOG, using TVCOG equipment. Installations are a great chance to create something unique that will highlight the transformative power of the Makerspace. Makers who create installations will be featured on our promotional media for the event and on the event map. Installation spaces include: windows on the first floor,  3ftx4ft floor space on the 1st floor, and 2x3 floor space on the 2nd floor. If you're interested in creating an installation for the Stroll, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Materials are not provided. Installations can stay at TVCOG after the Stroll or be removed by the creator. Available spaces are limited.

Applications for vending are closed for 2024.

Vendor Information:

• This is a Maker's Market- all items must be made by the vendor. No resale items allowed.
• Vendor spots are 4x8ft floor spaces. You must stay within this designated floor space. Tables are not included, but TVCOG is able to provide chairs.
• If you do not have your own table, you may be able to borrow one from TVCOG. We have a limited number of 6ftx2ft tables available for vendors to borrow, which will become available on a first-come, first-served basis after vendor dues are received.
• We are a Makerspace, not an official Market venue. The Maker's Market is one small part of our Victorian Stroll event, created to provide our members with an opportunity to share their work with the public and opened up to the public due to community interest. Vendors are responsible for their own set-up, sales, and promotion. We do not guarantee spots will be available for non-members. There are no refunds for vendor spots, regardless of vendor sales. 
• Vendors will be expected to stay during the entire duration of the Stroll on Sunday, and will need to arrive by 10:30 am at the latest for check-in and set-up. Doors open for vendors at 9am on Sunday morning. Vendors who are TVCOG members are welcome to set up earlier on Sunday, but should not set up on Saturday, as the space is in use for other events during that time. 
• All vendors may drop off materials the evening prior, on Saturday December 7 from 6-8pm; this time period is only for materials drop-off, and vendors will not be able to set up booths or tables at this time. 
• Vendors are responsible for conducting their own sales; wifi and access to electricity is provided. There is no ATM on the premises, and we recommend that vendors accept electronic transactions.

Applications & Vendor Fees:

• Vendor fees are $30 for TVCOG Members, $50 for non-members. Non-refundable.
• Applications are due Thursday, November 14 at 1 pm. Applicants will receive notification of application status by Tuesday, November 19.

The THINQubator at Tech Valley Center of Gravity was one the first dedicated children's makerspaces in the world and is still one of the best outfitted.  We empower kids and families to think, tinker, collaborate, skill-build, design and make. Through hands-on activity, kids deeply explore Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math (STEAM).

A Fun Event for the Whole Family! 

Join us on Friday, November 8 from 4-7pm for a FREE Family STEAM day event to celebrate National STEAM Day! The event will feature an evening of fun activities and games that will engage young people in STEAM topics.  There will also be guest visits from the Be5 STEM Club, Jewels of the Sea, the Hart Cluett Museum, The Red Bookshelf, Tech Valley High School’s FIRST Robotics team: 5881 Dragons, and Tech Valley Game Space.

For the main activities, the THINQubator at will be hosting two of its most popular hands-on educational activities: Mini Zip Lines and Pom Pom Catapults! 

The THINQubator will transform its space into a two-story mini zip line course where children will create designs to get miniature dinosaurs from one side to the other.

TVCOG’s large community room will be transformed into a Catapult launch station, where participants can compete for prizes and make their very own pompom catapults.

There will also be facepainting by local artists, as well as popcorn and raffle items available by donation! 

 Each guest organization will have a unique station for children to explore!

• Stop by the Be5 STEM Club to make paper circuits & try snap circuits
• Check out FIRST Team #5881 Dragon’s interactive robotics display and drive small robots
• Explore an extensive collection of seashells and a hands-on examination station with Jewels of the Sea
• Learn about the history of bridges in Rensselaer County with the Hart Cluett Museum by using Magnatiles to recreate them
• Visit The Red Bookshelf’s superhero-themed station to grab a book and learn about narrative design in video games with Bat Girl, The RED Bookshelf's video game designer
• Learn about video game design with Tech Valley Game Space

Important Event Information:

• Location & Parking: The event is located at Tech Valley Center of Gravity at 30 3rd St, in Troy NY. We do not have designated parking for our facility, but there is plenty of on-street metered parking available on Third Street and surrounding areas, typically costing around $1 per hour. You can find more information about parking in downtown Troy here.
• Registration & Workshop Duration: This is a free, drop-in event; families may stay for the whole time period, or pop in anytime from 4-7pm. We recommend allocating a minimum of 45 minutes to ensure there is time to participate in the bulk of activities. There is no pre-registration required.
• Event Ages: This event is open to all ages! The main workshops are geared towards families with children ages 4-12, but there will be plenty of fun options for the whole family! Parents/guardians are required to stay in the building with their children at all times. This is a family workshop, so everyone who comes should be ready to participate! Collaboration is part of the fun. There is a bathroom with a changing table located in the THINQubator for families with young children. Strollers are allowed inside the event space.
• Safety: Tech Valley Center of Gravity is a Makerspace with a variety of tools and equipment, some of which can be dangerous if improperly handled. Please heed all safety signage and barriers, and make sure not to let children downstairs without an adult, as this is where our Woodshop/Welding Shop/Machine Shops are located.