As a child, playing with Legos was an imaginative and exciting pastime that encouraged creativity. But even as an adult, the toy can hold endless wonder.
BrickFair 2016 is an expo orchestrated by Lego fans, for Lego fans. Thousands of Lego enthusiasts of all ages gather to play games and look at creative and intricate designs featuring the longtime toy brand.
“You can expect a load of fun and games and to be awed and impressed from other people’s creations,” says Todd Webb, creator of BrickFair. “It’s just an incredible and inspiring time.”
The convention, which takes place Aug. 6 to 7 at the Dulles Expo Center, has an annual theme to mix things up year to year, and this year’s theme is Myths & Legends.
“People, especially adults, tend to build the same things, the same way, all the time. So we have a theme each year for our builders to branch out and try something new.” says Webb. “This year, you’ll see a lot of myths and legends that can be interpreted loosely depending on how the builders see it.”
At BrickFair 2016, visitors can expect more games and designs than ever before. This year, Lego fans can take part in BINGO, a scavenger hunt, a Pokémon Go exhibit and moon bounces. BrickFair also added a derby race in which kids will build their own Lego derby cars and race 20 other children in their own creations. Attendees can also enter the Guesstimate giveaway, estimating how many Lego pieces are in a jar and potentially win the jar and bolster their personal collections. What’s more, fans can check out other attendees’ creations, show off their own designs, buy Lego sets and surround themselves in a community of fellow enthusiasts.
This year, the National Park Service will also join the Lego-building fun. “We’re going to have the National Park Service there celebrating their 100-year anniversary,” says Webb. “They’ll have a photo booth, some displays and they’ll be promoting the national parks.”
While Legos are a toy primarily marketed toward children, fans spanning all ages travel across the country for the annual fair.
“It’s definitely something any person of any age can enjoy,” says Webb, citing himself among a group of AFOLs—Adult Fans of Lego. “We really are the life blood of BrickFair.”
AFOLs, Teenage Fans of Lego (TFOLs) and Kid Fans of Lego (KFOLs) are all terms commonly used in the Lego community, but no matter which bracket you fall in, Webb takes pride in instilling a sense of childlike wonder in all attendees.
“The most rewarding part is seeing people have fun without my input,” says Webb. “I’ll see backs of people huddled over a table, and they’re oohing and ahing about something and I don’t know what they’re doing but that’s just what a good party does.”
“I want to… help people have a good time and make people feel like a child again,” says Webb. “That’s my only goal and we do a pretty good job at it.”
