Do you love LEGO? Is building awesome stuff with plastic bricks your thing? Then Brick Fest Live! is an event you should check out. For those of you who are not familiar with Brick Fest Live!, it is a traveling “LEGO Fan Experience”. Think Comic-Con, but for LEGO. The one I attended (my first) took place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on April 30th – May 1st. It was their third event in this area. Let me just say, I enjoyed it.

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The first thing that I noticed walking into Brick Fest Live! was the fact that it was chaotic, but in a good way. Let me explain. The chaos was in the form of super happy children running around with smiles on their faces, trying to decide on what to see or which activity to do first. The look of awe as they checked out some amazing models built by some very talented LEGO fans was a precious sight to behold. Made me wish I could still see the world in that way. There were many adults who looked at the models with just as much awe, although you could kind of tell that some of them were trying to figure out the cost to make such detailed models. There was plenty to see and do at Brick Fest Live! After all, it is a “LEGO Fan Experience”.

Eastern State Penitentiary looks cute in LEGO form.

Eastern State Penitentiary looks cute in LEGO form.

One of the many Trains that actually moved around the models.

One of the many Trains that actually moved around the models.

Another famous landmark? Check.

Another famous landmark? Check.

Mini Batcave FTW!

Mini Batcave FTW!

Walking around, there were so many activities for everyone to participate in. Brick Fest Live! was so hands-on that parents did not have to worry about keeping their children entertained. There was plenty for them to do. Kids got to build their own cars and race against each other at the Brick Fest Live! Derby. There was some serious racing going on that weekend. There was a Mosaic Wall, where people got to build a little picture and have it displayed for everyone to see. Kids could even join the Darkside of the Force by helping build a giant portrait of LEGO Darth Vader. Seeing that come together was pretty cool. There was even some LEGO Mini-Golf going on. Fun!

Who is fast? Who is furious? Test your car building skills!

Who is fast? Who is furious? Test your car building skills!

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Help build a giant portrait of LEGO Darth Vader? Sure!

Help build a giant portrait of LEGO Darth Vader? Sure!

All those little builds were built by visitors.

All those little builds were built by visitors.

Of course, there were some serious model builders that showed up to display some amazing pieces. Seriously, you could tell so many hours went into these detailed recreations.

This has to be seen in person to appreciate the scale.

This has to be seen in person to appreciate the scale.

The USS Missouri is an epic build. Bravo to the builders!

The USS Missouri is an epic build. Bravo to the builders!

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The Helicopter Blades actually rotated. Pretty cool.

The Helicopter Blades actually rotated. Pretty cool.

Of course, there were plenty of things to see for the nerd crowd. There were presentations going on throughout the day. I was able to catch one by the NY Ghostbusters, a Ghostbusters cosplay group that actually goes around promoting Science to children. It’s pretty sweet when you can teach children about Polymers, plus some of the kids got to make Ectoplasm on stage. Awesome! There was even a chance to shoot Darth Vader with NERF darts. You know, for charity.

A friendly Wampa taking pictures with children? Gotta love it.

A friendly Wampa taking pictures with children? Gotta love it.

*Cue Jurassic Park theme*

*Cue Jurassic Park theme*

Can't really have a Con without the DeLorean making an appearance.

Can’t really have a Con without the DeLorean making an appearance.

Sweet, sweet props!

Sweet, sweet props!

Don’t worry, fellow nerds. The builders did not forget about you. There were some sweet builds, specifically for the Star Wars and Star Trek crowd. There might have been plenty of Star Wars cosplay going on at Brick Fest Live!, but the Star Trek builds of iconic scenes won it for me.

The First Order.

The First Order.

Wreck It Ralph.

Wreck It Ralph.

According to the builder, this was the NCC-1701 Enterprise (Refit). Yes, that's a little Shuttlecraft.

According to the builder, this was the NCC-1701 Enterprise (Refit). Yes, that’s a little Shuttlecraft.

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Doom, doom, doom, doom, doom...

Doom, doom, doom, doom, doom…

Finally, I can’t forget the art connoisseurs. There were some great pieces of true art on hand for the viewing public.

LEGO Bill Murray won the entire weekend for me.

LEGO Bill Murray won the entire weekend for me.

In any form, Robin should really stop upsetting Batman.

In any form, Robin should really stop upsetting Batman.

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In case you thought I forgot, there were also some dealers selling some really good LEGO products. From custom build-a-figures, custom pieces & accessories, to hard to find LEGO sets & polybags, you were bound to find something you wanted/needed. (I found one of the LEGO Guardians Of The Galaxy sets I wanted, because I needed a Starlord for my collection.) All I can say is that Brick Fest Live! is definitely something a LEGO enthusiast or parents with children who love LEGO will enjoy. The staff members that I interacted with or observed were very friendly and made sure things were running as smoothly as it could considering the sheer amount of “happy chaos” that was going on. I know that Brick Fest Live! will get better every year. I look forward to going again next time they’re in the area.

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