Since the inaugural event a decade ago, Newcastle Brickfest has been building a massive following year on year.
And, the 2024 edition is expected to entice even more LEGO-lovers to the Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July… just in time to kick-start the school holidays.
Conceived by the Rainbow Bricks LEGO User Group (LUG), the colourful extravaganza – featuring more than 130 exhibitors, many of whom will travel from interstate to participate – is now one of the largest LEGO fan events in NSW.
It’s an accolade, which delights the local organisation’s ambassador, Kevin Evans.
“We’re a passionate volunteer group that brings this event to life,” he said.
“Most of us are active AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO) builders and exhibitors of creations based in the Hunter and Central Coast.
“So, we formed this community, family-friendly event for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages to spread the ‘love of the brick’.
“We’ll host nearly 300 tables of displays this weekend, making it our largest one yet.
“The LEGO Master Builder’s original creations will impress and inspire everyone, from kids to the young-at-heart.
“People can interact with the exhibitors, ask them questions about their work and LEGO in general.
“We’ll have lots of activities to enjoy, as well as cosplaying friends from the Hunter Heroes and Star Wars characters.
“Over the past 10 years, Newcastle Brickfest has showcased some of Australia’s best LEGO builders, too.
“It’s our flagship event.”
Mr Evans said the Rainbow Bricks LUG anticipated up to 4,000 LEGO devotees to converge on the venue.
“It’s always popular,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“But, what’s not to love?
“There’s a lot of LEGO… in fact, a hell of a lot of LEGO.
“People will build sets that you might see in the shops; some will take those and then put them in context to surroundings – include them into a larger display.
“Others will create items solely from scratch, totally out of their own imagination.
“Then you’ll have those who’ll make something that doesn’t fit into any of those IPs (themes).
“In other words, you’ll witness everything from elves and Friends to Star Wars, for example.
“Exhibits like ours appeal to the AFOLs community, however we will also accommodate TFOLs (Teen Fans of LEGO) at Newcastle this year.
“So, we’re sort of looking after the future in a sense.
“They’re coming through, displaying and learning.
“When we do these shows as an exhibitor, we get to chat with each other.
“We witness how people build their displays, so you can learn heaps while having fun and raising funds for our charity partner.”
Which, in 2024, is the John Hunter Children’s Hospital Kids Club.
“Since 2014, we’ve donated $140,000 to local schools and not-for-profits,” Mr Evans said.
“This will be the third year we’ve supported the Kids Club as our sole charity partner.
“When we first began, we’d try and pick four or five schools around the area.
“However, once we opted for the John Hunter Children’s Hospital Kids Club, we decided to support them individually.”
If you book before the weekend, the cost of Newcastle Brickfest is $10 per person (three years and older) or $35 for a family of four.
But, if you wait until the event, prices rise to $12 each, with no special group tickets available.
“So, the advice is, get in early and you’ll save money,” Mr Evans said.
“People can visit the link on the Rainbow Bricks website (rainbowbricks.com.au) or our Facebook page.”
Alternatively, go to www.trybooking.com/CORHL
Also, keep an eye out for Upper Hunter Brickfest (Singleton, 27 October), Maitland Brickfest (24 November) and Brickfest at The Bay (Anna Bay, 11 and 12 January).
For more entertainment stories:
- The Angels still hell of a rock act
- Aussie music legends Ross Wilson, Shane Howard headline Dashville Skyline’s 10th anniversary
- New Annual 2024 to launch with fresh take on oldest culture
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
