Celebrate 15 Years of Assemble at the Unicorn Palooza!
When: Saturday, September 19, 6 – 9 PM. VIP Meet the Makers 5 – 6 PM
Where: The Workingmen’s Beneficial Union (WBU) 1958 Varley St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
What: A fundraiser for Assemble like you have never seen, featuring the Unicorny Awards, Maker-Experience Carnival Games, Costume Contest, music, food, drinks, and more!
Who: Assemble lovers and supporters, like you! (Unicorn Palooza is a 21+ event)
Theme: UNICORN! Have you seen one? Costumes highly encouraged!
About Unicorn Palooza
2026 is the FIRST EVER Unicorn Palooza. You might be saying, “Why did Assemble wait so long to have such a fun event?” Great question! We decided to remix MakerDate (thank you for all the years) and transform it into something new, like nothing before. Instead of bidding on dates during the live and silent auction, we will be remixing carnival games where folks can “spin the wheel” to land on a learning experience with a local ceramist, welder, writer, or celebrity! Pick up the duck to see if you won tickets to a museum or a charcuterie board! Unicorn Palooza will have plenty of amazing opportunities to connect with creatives, artists, makers, and technologists. Want to sign up to offer a making experience? Fill out our Maker Form here!
The Unicorny Awards
In celebrating 15 Years of Assemble, we want to shout out our gratitude to the folks who have helped Assemble to keep Assemble-ing! The Unicorny Awards celebrate individuals whose creativity and dedication strengthen our communities and inspire others to imagine what’s possible. The awards recognize excellence in philanthropy, leadership, behind-the-scenes community impact, and hands-on creativity through the Funder, Afrofuturist, Unsung Unicorn, and Maker Awards.
Announcing the 2026 Unicornies
- Fabulous Funder: Gregg Behr, The Grable Foundation
- Afrofuturism Activist: Representative La’Tasha Mayes, PA House
- Unsung Unicorn: Jess Gold, Educator
- Magical Maker: Ms. Junyetta Seales, Artist
Why Unicorns?!
Our mascot, which was designed by Brenna Thummler in 2016, is a Unicorn Robot in Outer Space. From kids to grown-ups, folks love Unicorns – and feel like them too! Do you ever feel like you have something special to share, yet it might not be visible to others? You, too, might be a unicorn.
All funds raised at Unicorn Palooza directly support Assemble’s STEAM education programs for youth, teens, and adults, like Assemble Afterschool, Saturday Crafternoons, Hack the Future, and Summer Camps!
What to expect at Unicorn Palooza:
- Carnival Games, featuring a variety of local Makers Experiences (sign up here!)
- The inaugural Unicorny Awards
- Flash Tattoos and temporary body art
- Drinks by WBU
- Delicious hors d’oeuvres by Sprezzatura Community Cookie Table (sign up here!)
- Hands-on activities & games made by Assemblers
- Green-screen photo booth
- Music by DJ
- Spectacular fun for a good cause!
Event tickets include drinks tickets + hors d’oeuvres.
All proceeds raised at Unicorn Palooza support Assemble’s STEAM education programs.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Click here to Sponsor Unicorn Palooza 2026
Presenting Sponsor:
Innovator Level Sponsors:
Maker Level Sponsors:
Builder Level Sponsors:
SLB Radio ProductionsCrafter Level Sponsors:
The Heinz EndowmentsDoer Level Sponsors:
See Your Able
Trellis Legal LLCLearner Level Sponsors:
Carnegie Mellon UniversityNeighbor Level Sponsors:
Handmade Arcade