Lego lovers rejoiced as Empak Homes BrickGambier 2023 brought a record crowd of around 2000 people to the Mount Gambier Showgrounds over the long weekend.

There were Lego displays on offer from 40 exhibitors who hailed from as far away as Tasmania, Melbourne, Adelaide and country Victoria.

There were seven local builders and 15 exhibitors who made their debut at the event with catering, a free photobooth and play tables also on offer.

Organiser Emma Robinson said while the amount of exhibitors was less than last year, the displays were typically larger.

“The sensory friendly session that we had was well attended, not crazily attended because that’s not what we want, but it was good that it was being utilised,” she said.

“Even though I started it now the Limestone Coast Lego User’s Group all help with the event which is fantastic, and we are like a branch of Southern Bricks Lego Users Group.

“It took a lot of support and Empak Homes have been brilliant too, they have supported it every year being the naming right sponsor, so we really appreciate that sponsorship.”

Mrs Robinson said the event was worth it to see children mesmerised by the displays on offer and the family interaction between parents and their kids.

“We are all volunteers, the thrill and the exhilaration of exhibiting is what we get from it, the smiles on kids’ faces and grown-ups’ faces is why we do it,” she said.

An auction and a raffle raised over $1200 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

Mrs Robinson said she started the event in 2017 with an attendance of around 500 people to make Lego events accessible to the local community.

“This is our sixth event over seven years, so we started in 2017 and we missed 2020,” she said.

“I have been fortunate to visit and display at Adelaide events and Brickvention which was in January and is the biggest Lego event in Australia at the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne.

“Not all families can afford to travel to Melbourne or Adelaide and I find you tend to go more for specific purposes … you’re not necessarily going to do all that travel and accommodation just for a Lego event.

“I think being able to bring it to town is always good.”