Show off your LEGO skills this summer at the inaugural LEGO Brick Faire, presented by the Portsmouth Area Arts Council (PAAC). Activities will include a build contest, LEGO race, LEGO stop-motion films, and more.

The four-day event, August 1-4, will be held at the PAAC studio located at 614 Third St., in Portsmouth, Ohio, between the hours of 4 and 9 p.m.

“The LEGO Brick Faire is something we’ve talked about for a couple of seasons and we’re really excited about it. Not only will we get to foster the community’s creativity through building and film-making, but also will get display some truly world-class LEGO creations by the Ohio LEGO Users Group. This will be a fun and exciting week for enthusiasts of all ages,” Becky Lovins, executive director of PAAC, said.

Ohio LEGO Users Group (OLUG) member Mark Harrison Near said the group will display a city in LEGO minifig scale, complete with a train system, roads, vehicles, houses, a couple of large skyscrapers, and many other buildings — some of which may look familiar.

“This small city hosts a Renaissance Fair which is going on in a large field just outside the city. Each building in the display has been built by a member of Ohio LEGO User Group. Some of our unique constructions have been displayed at The Ohio State Fair, The Columbus Museum of Art, and other places. Some buildings are new, and will debut here. No glues or Kraygle have been used.” Harrison Near said.

Please don’t touch the exhibit. Eyes and cameras are fine.

Kids are encouraged to get hands-on, however, to build and submit their own unique LEGO sculptures for display and judging. Sculptures must be submitted on a regular 10-inch-by-10-inch baseplate, and not more than 24 inches tall. Sculptures must be carried in and set up by contestants on Sunday, July 31, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Submissions must be unique – not a pre-designed LEGO kit. Work that is not unique will not be accepted, and judges may disqualify any sculpture they deem unoriginal or copied. All bricks must be LEGO brand, or compatible with LEGO-brand bricks.

Sculptures will be judged by members of OLUG and PAAC on the evening of July 31. Winners will be announced on Aug. 1, at 4 p.m. Submissions will need to remain on premises for the entirety of the event, and can be picked up Aug. 4 at 9 p.m., or no later than Saturday, Aug. 6.

First, second and third place will be awarded in age groups of 10 and under, 11-18, and 19 and up. Winners will receive tickets to an upcoming production of the Children’s Theatre, and will be displayed throughout the PAAC LEGO FAIRE in August. Every effort will be made to protect your work. However, PAAC assumes no responsibility for accidental damage. Submission forms need to be fully and legibly completed and securely taped to each piece of artwork accompanied with the $5 submission fee.

Kids are also invited to submit their own LEGO Stop-Motion Films, which will be played throughout the week. Visitors will vote for their favorite film, and the winner will be announced on Aug. 4.

There is a full schedule of activities to look forward to!

Monday, August 1:

• Winners of the builder’s competition will be announced and on display for the rest of the week.
• Activities to build your own car and race them!

Tuesday, August 2:

• Build-in-a-bag competitions. Are you a master builder? Test your skills with this competition to build a LEGO kit inside the bag!

Wednesday, August 3:

• Activities to see who can build the highest LEGO tower!

Thursday, August 4:

• LEGO Amazing Race!

There will also be weeklong activities, such as “Guess the number of LEGO bricks” – and the winner takes them all home. Each guess costs 25-cents. There will be a LEGO brick scavenger hunt in Ohio LEGO Users Group display, and a contest to find the Golden LEGO brick. Children can color on our LEGO coloring wall, or our LEGO coloring pages to take home with them. There will also be LEGO and DUPLO building areas for children to play. At the end of the week there will be a raffle to send one lucky person home with a new Doctor Who LEGO set!

Adult tickets for the event are $2 each at the door, or $6 for a weeklong pass. Free kids admission tickets will be distributed throughout the community.

For more information about the PAAC LEGO Brick Faire, contact Becky Lovins at 740-285-0180, or e-mail [email protected].