BrickFest
LEGO building block convention in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
BrickFest was the first convention for adult fans of LEGO (AFOLs) in the United States. The focus was to have fans bring their creations, often referred to as MOCs (My Own Creations), to display and share with fellow enthusiasts.
| BrickFest | |
|---|---|
| |
| Status | every year |
| Genre | LEGO |
| Venue | Various |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Country | USA |
| Inaugurated | 2000 |
| Most recent | 2009 |
| Attendance | 4,000 in 2009 |
| Organized by | Christina Hitchcock - Steve Barlie[1] |
| Website | www.brickfest.com |
Like other conventions, it offered workshops, presentations, special events and challenges.
BrickFest was typically held on a weekend in mid-August in the Washington, D.C. area annually from 2000 through 2006. The 2007 and 2009 BrickFests were held in Portland, Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center. BrickFest 2011 and BrickFest as a whole was cancelled by the organizers, with staffing issues cited.[2]
Private convention
The main focus of the private convention was to provide a venue for adult fans of LEGO to bring and display their own LEGO creations. Activities at the convention included presentations, seminars, round-table discussions and contests. The full attendee received a Convention Packet containing a personalized brick name badge and a program of activities.
Public exhibition
The Public Exhibition had a focus of inviting LEGO fans of all ages of the general public to view hundreds of hobbyist-built creations and meet their creators.
Locations and dates
| Dates | Location | Organizer | Registrants | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 9–11, 2000[3] | George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia | Christina Hitchcock | ~60 | First BrickFest event | |
| July 13–15, 2001[4] | George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia | Christina Hitchcock | ~150 | ||
| July 19–21, 2002[5] | George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia | Christina Hitchcock | ~180 | ||
| August 8–10, 2003[6] | George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia | Christina Hitchcock | ~220 | ~1,000 | |
| February 12–14, 2004 | Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon | Steve Barile | ~200 | ~1,200 | Named BrickFestPDX, first BrickFest to be held outside Virginia |
| August 13–15, 2004[7] | George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia | Christina Hitchcock | ~250 | ~2,000 | |
| August 12–14, 2005[8] | George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia | Christina Hitchcock | ~350[9] | ~3,000 | Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (owner of the LEGO Group and grandson of the founder) attended, Jake McKee and Mark Hansen announced the release of LEGO Digital Designer |
| August 25–27, 2006[10] | Sheraton Premiere at Tyson's Corner, Vienna, Virginia | Joe Meno | ~420 | ~3,500 | First BrickFest since the launching of Lego Mindstorms NXT, and many of the MUP and MDP members were there to talk about it. Allan Bedford, author of The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide, was also there, signing copies of his book. |
| March 30-April 1, 2007[11] | Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon[11] | Steve Barile & Christina Hitchcock | 213 | ~2,800 | This was originally slated as BrickFest PDX 2007, but relabeled as simply BrickFest 2007 when the August convention was cancelled. |
| March 28–30, 2009 | Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon | Steve Barile & Christina Hitchcock | ~4,000 | Approximately 240 people pre registered to attend. |