Tag Archives: Convention

LEGO conventions happen all over the world, and there’s a LEGO convention happening somewhere just about year-round. Though we can’t cover all of them, we’ll do our best to bring you highlights from BrickCon, Brickworld, Bricks by the Bay, AFOLCON, LEGO Fanwelt, Brick Fiesta, and all the rest.

BrickCon 2013 registration now open [News]

BrickCon 2013 is now open for registration! As we’ve said before, BrickCon is our favorite LEGO convention in the increasingly busy North American LEGO convention circuit.

BrickCon 2013

The official theme for BrickCon 2013 is “Pigs vs. Cows” (as I’m sure everyone gathered from the Kickstarter project we highlighted earlier this year). What does that craziness mean? Well, that’s really up to you — LEGO is, after all, a creative medium. I’m not sure how town and train builders will manifest the theme in their layout, or whether we can expect cows storming the pig-defended beaches of a LEGO Normandy, but I do know that the castle builders have something spectacular planned.

Speaking of collaborations, watch this space for more info on the various themes that will give you the opportunity to contribute to a group build.

If you haven’t been to BrickCon before, check out BrickCon photos on Flickr and our own BrickCon coverage here on The Brothers Brick.

Be sure to go to BrickCon.org/Builders/ to register for the full, four-day private convention.

Brickworld 2013 Wrap-Up

This past weekend was Brickworld 2013 in Schaumberg, Illinois, and Chris and I attended. I attended for the first time; it was fun being a “newbie” for once, despite this being my 11th LEGO convention. This was my first event outside of the Pacific Northwest! Though really, Chicago, the tornados were a bit much. Really. No need for that.

All weather and terrible airline travel aside, the event was a blast. This was the first year in the new location and by all accounts, it was a fabulous decision to move and improved the convention-going experience greatly. Unlike last year, all the creations this year were housed in the same MASSIVE space.

Over the next few days, pictures of some of the amazing creations will pop online. I want to highlight a few of my favorites:

Smaug by Sharon Vance

The Marquis, by Peter Mowry

Area 51 by Brian Williams

This was really fantastic. We’ve blogged the warehouse previously; now he’s added the shooting location for the Moon Landing, a Stargate, and a number of other fantastic references!

Product announcements

There were two bits of news which we already reported: the reveal of 10234 Sydney Opera House and announcing the Curiosity Rover.

For me, the value of any convention comes from the memories; I attend just as much, if not more, for the people as I do the brick. I saw people I haven’t seen in years, met new friends, and made enough memories and paper planes to last a lifetime. Or at least until BrickCon.

Brick Fiesta registration deadline is May 31

If you’re planning on attending Brick Fiesta in Dallas but have not yet registered, you have until the end of May to do so and get your engraved badge. Visit Brick Fiesta’s website for registration details.

Brickfête 2013

Janey Gunning asked if we could share the following press release in regards to this year’s Brickfête.

To all AFOL, LEGO collectors, builders, hobbyists, enthusiasts within walking, driving or flying distance of Toronto, Canada.

The Brickfête Team is honoured to invite you to our annual LEGO Fan Convention. Join us for some good times completely focused on our beloved obsession with the brick. You will see some amazing displays, have chances to get involved with fun games and event, as well as hear from official LEGO Designer and LEGO Master Builder.

This July 11, 12, 13 and 14, 2013!
Hilton Hotel, Airport Rd in Toronto, Canada

To register for the four days visit the AFOL portion of our site and please note, space is limited so act now, operators are standing by.

We are returning to the same hotel as last year, and have secured decent room rates (however those end soon, so book now before you end up paying full rates.)

If you are from out of town (or country) we are located right across from the Toronto Airport, which means you can just fly here, board the shuttle to the hotel and not worry about renting cars, maps or public transit.

Join our website’s free forum if you have any questions or want to discuss things such as sharing a room, collaborative builds, or just a chance to connect with others before the event.

Our list of events are being posted and there is something for everyone to get involved with.

  • Have you built something cool that others would love to see???
  • Do you want to hang out with other amazing builders?
  • Listen to LEGO guest speakers or get involved with build challenges or contests!
  • Don’t forget those prize raffles and all the other fun activities!
  • Want to have chances to win LEGO prizes or bid in the LEGO auction??
  • Display with us and enjoy the company of other AFOLS.

If you are new to conventions and are hesitating… check out this forum post and feel free to ask questions.

The general public is invited to view the awesome LEGO Creations on display during the following public expo days:
July 13th and 14th – 10am until 3pm
Tickets sold at the door and online

All the rest of the details and more can be read on www.brickfete.com

See you in July,
Janey Red Brick & Chris Magno
On behalf of the entire Brickfete team!

“A festival run by fans, made by the fans, for the fans.”

World War Brick 2013 in Minneapolis, MN – June 28-30 [News]

World War Brick is a LEGO fan event organized by Brickmania that brings together builders who display LEGO models inspired by historical and military themes. The second annual event will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Brickmania Toyworks.

World War Brick banner

Discount pre-registration for weekend passes (the private convention) ended yesterday, but you can use a special coupon code for TBB readers when you register and get $10 off: TBBWWB

As with most LEGO fan conventions, you can also see the models on display during public exhibition times, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Head on over to WorldWarBrick.com for complete details

Sentimental Brick

Us AFOLs sure like to build wicked awesome LEGO models…it is the main draw to the hobby, or is it? Chris Maddison, reminds me/us that it is just as much about the relationships formed (whether they be in person, or over the interwebs), than it is about the builds. And sometimes it is simply a beat-up 2×4 that can create a smile.

The Life of a Keychain

The Life of a Keychain
Brickfest 2001 in Washington, DC was my first Lego Convention. I had a blast sharing it with my then-AFOL then-girlfriend, putting faces to the names I knew so well on Lugnet, and getting to know people and build friendships beyond just sharing a common interest. For a whole weekend I was free to talk about my passion with, well, basically everyone around me, and have that same passion reciprocated. It was a lifechanging event, for sure, and I’m forever grateful to Christina Hitchcock, her entire team of organizers and volunteers, and every AFOL that attended for showing me the true community of this hobby.

One of the items in the goodie bag was a red 2×4 brick keychain with the Lego logo on the side. It was my favorite item that I brought home from the ‘fest, and it immediately became something that was with me every day. Through a lot of change, both good and bad, it was always in my pocket, jingling against my almost-janitor-myriad of keys. During my 9 year long dark ages, my collection was packed away in storage, but that keychain went with me everywhere. Every single day.

As you can see, that once proud 2×4 brick is now beat and battered, worn down and filthy. It’s got 12 years of travel and grit on it and in it, 12 years of beating against keys and pocketknives and change and whatever else happened to be in my pocket. The logo’s long faded, the studs are wearing through, the chain is tarnished, but the memories and the hobby it represents are cherished forever.

Thank you little red brick, for all that you mean to me. And thank you new little red brick, for being shiny and ready when your predecessor finally succumbs to time. And thank you, reader, for taking the time to share this with me.

Registration open for Brick Fiesta in Dallas July 4-7, 2013

Registration is now open for the third annual Brick Fiesta that will take place in Dallas from July 4-7. This is a standard 4 day Lego convention with the usual activities you’d expect plus the weekend public exhibit. I will of course be there since I am a Dallas resident and I hope to see many of you there!

Brickvention 2013 – 19th-20th Jan – Public Tickets available

I’ve been rather less active in promoting Brickvention (Australia’s premier LEGO convention) this year, entirely because I’m rather sad to not be going this time around. But I would be terribly remiss if I didn’t remind all our Melbourne readers that it’s coming soon (19th and 20th January 2013 to be precise) and you need to book your tickets ASAP. In my experience each year gets bigger and better and since the last one was super fun I’ve absolutely no doubt this one will be even more excellent.

Sadly exhibitor and convention tickets are sold out so if you’re not already booked in you must go as a visitor. And I cannot stress enough that you need to book your tickets in advance and that the event has entirely sold out each recent year.

Brickvention is Australia’s premier LEGO® fan convention

Brickvention is an Australian based convention for LEGO® fans. It is a two-day event that brings together LEGO fans of all ages from all over Australia to view original and unusual creations built by Australian modelers and collectors. So if you love LEGO, come along and view the amazing creations and models made out of LEGO.

The event features a huge collection of LEGO models including trains, castles, pirate ships, Star Wars™, space ships, planes, buildings, sculptures and many more. There will also be competitions, face painting and LEGO sets and merchandise for sale.

The next Brickvention will be held over the weekend of 19th and 20th January 2013 at The Royal Exhibition Building, Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria, where anyone can come along and view the amazing creations made out of LEGO.

LEGO fans of all ages are welcome on the Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am – 5:30pm.

Bricks Cascade 2013 LEGO convention in Portland, Oregon

The 2013 North American LEGO convention season kicks off on March 7 with Bricks Cascade in Portland, Oregon.

Bricks Cascade logo

Registration is now open. Here’s the official announcement:

Portland, OR – The Portland Lego Users Group (PortLUG) and Bricklandia, Inc. are pleased to announce Bricks Cascade 2013 open registration!

On Thursday, March 7, 2013, starting at noon, Friday, March 8, Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10, 2013, our doors will be open for Convention members to attend our 2nd Brick Convention at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

Games, classes, competitions, and LEGO related announcements/ products will enhance the experience for convention members. Please go to http://www.brickscascade.com/page/convention to register and give automated PayPal payment to attend the convention. Introductory admission into Hall A for convention members and the entire event is $52 a person.

Public Exhibition of the event and its displays will be on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday March 10, 2013. Admission to the public display will be $8 per person, $28 per family (2 adults and up to 3 children).

We hope see you there!

Hillel Cooperman’s BrickCon keynote video now online

Since BrickCon 2010, we’ve been treated to Hillel Cooperman‘s hilarious opinions about the world of LEGO fandom. This year’s keynote address is now online, and gives you a flavor of what it’s like to get in a room and laugh together with 500 of your closest friends. This year, Hillel shares a lovely retrospective of the first 10 years of the longest-running LEGO convention.

Warning: This is an uncensored video at a convention for adult LEGO fans. Expect the occasional four-letter word…

LUG Brasil’s expo in São Paulo (Nov 10-11)

Every once in a while I will be reminded of a Lego event in a country where we may not have too many readers of the blog. Although it may not be pertinent to most of you, news like this is a good reminder of the world’s widespread love of the brick. So, if you’re in São Paulo this weekend, go check out LUG Brasil’s second expo at the College Benjamin Constant.

Videos from Brickworld Ft. Wayne 2012

Josh Hanlon from Beyond The Brick posted videos of displays and interviews at Brickworld Ft. Wayne, which took place about a month ago. Check out the YouTube playlist for all the videos from the event.