Lego fans of all ages were wowed by an extensive display of creations at the Mount Gambier showgrounds over the past two days.
Presented by the Limestone Coast Lego User Group, members picked up the pieces to bring back the Empak Homes BrickGambier event.
Despite more than half of the exhibitors unable to attend along with major drawcard, season three Lego Masters winners David and Gus, it successfully attracted fans from far and wide.
Eager to rebuild the popular attraction, the event returned with a different format after it came tumbling down last year due to global circumstances beyond the group’s control.
Group member and event coordinator Emma Robinson said the event was not held in 2020 due to COVID.
“This year looked a little bit different, bringing a COVID-safe event everyone could enjoy,” she said.
Visitors were required to book a timeslot online before the event, in accordance with density requirements.
Around 25 exhibitors transported pieces including from as far away as Perth.
Some grand and mechanical pieces impressed visitors.
However, Mrs Robinson said there could have been twice as many.
“Due to the current COVID restrictions applied to Victoria, around 30 exhibitors were unable to attend, along with the Lego Masters winners,” she said.
Mrs Robinson said the showing of Lego Masters had helped increase Lego’s popularity.
Displays varied from a couple of thousand pieces to “lots” and “too many to count” to “lost count”.
The Adelaide Great Ball Contraption used between 200,000 and 300,000 pieces and was the brainchild of 16 creators.
“The aim of the event is quite simple – to share our love of LEGO and get other people together to enjoy it with us,” Mrs Robinson said.
The event has been increasing in popularity since its inception in 2018 with both attendance and exhibitor numbers growing rapidly.
“Our first event attracted attendance numbers of approximately 500 and has grown to 1500 in 2018 and more than 2200 in 2019,” Mrs Robinson said.
“A lot of families do not have the opportunity to travel for the big city events so this is one way we can bring those exhibitors to us and provide the community with an opportunity to have a similar experience.”
A sensory friendly session took place on Monday morning, giving those visitors the opportunity to enjoy the event without the “sensory overload” that some people experience.
This session had limited numbers and exhibits with bright or flashing lights turned off.
Most of the displays had been created by the exhibitors themselves and cannot be bought off the shelf.
Among the original creations made the trek from Perth with creator Shannon Bright.
The Best in Show exhibit was constructed using more than 2000 pieces per bear.
And there were four of the characters on display.
Ms Bright said Lego had only become a passion of hers over the past few years.
“I had Lego as a kid but never really got into it. It was my partner Ryan’s interest that sparked my interest,” she said.
“There are so many people here that have built amazing creations. So I was shocked to be chosen as having the best in show.”
For younger fans, the Mount Gambier library has a Lego Fan Club that meets Thursdays at 4pm.
