Fix-it Fair

What are Fix-it Fairs?

Fix-it Fairs are free community events that bring together volunteers with fixing skills and community members with broken items. Volunteer fixers will attempt to diagnose issues, repair, mend, or fix your items, while sharing valuable repair knowledge.

Fix-it Fairs are community powered events. If you have mending or repairing skills that you’d like to share, join us as a fixer! We’re also looking for community partners and volunteers to help run the events. If you’re interested in volunteering or partnering, fill out our volunteer form! We will contact you with next steps.

Volunteer as Fixer or General Event Help

Volunteer Form

Why repair?

Let’s rethink our waste! Join us in reducing waste and supporting a circular economy by extending the life of household items through maintaining and repairing rather than buying new. Repair is an empowering practice and your last chance to save items from becoming waste destined for the landfill.

When you repair your items, you are:

  • Saving money and resources by keeping your items in use for longer.
  • Building a resilient, sustainable community.
  • Promoting a neighbor-to-neighbor community that values skill sharing.
  • Preserving repair know-how knowledge and skills and passing them on to future generations.

What to bring

Carpinteria residents are welcome to bring up to two items per event. Common items include clothing, textiles, small home appliances, lamps, vacuums, bicycles (minor repairs), and small electronics. You must be able to carry your items in and out – no oversized items. Each event will vary on what skills are available to repair your items.

Volunteer fixers will do their best to attempt repairs but there are no guarantees for a repair. Some items are more difficult to repair, can take longer than we have time for at the event, or even break more during a repair attempt.

What not to bring

  • Large appliances
  • Appliances with refrigerants
  • Items that are leaking fluids
  • Items having noxious or excessive odors
  • Microwaves
  • Items filled with oil or gas
  • Grimy, dirty, or hazardous items

What to expect at a Fix-it Fair

Before visiting our Fix-it Fair, please:

  • Clean your items
  • Bring any instructions or manuals that you might have
  • Purchase and bring your repair part. We’ll have some small items available; however, if you require a special part, we’ll request you purchase it ahead of time.
  • Check event specific information! Each event may have different fixing skills available. We’ll do our best to keep our events webpage updated with current information on skills available.

At the event, all participants must:

  • Check in to the event at the welcome table
  • Participants must check-in 30 minutes prior to the end time of the event. Participants that show up after the 30-minute cut-off will be turned away and asked to attend a future event.
  • Fill out a waiver releasing the City of Carpinteria and its volunteers from liability for any potential damage to your property.
  • Be present during the repair
  • Checkout at our welcome table, snap a picture of your fixed item, and share!