BrickFair Virginia 2014 this week
Posted by Meiko,
BrickFair Virginia, one of the largest AFOL conventions in the United States, is coming up fast (so fast I completely forgot that I should post about this at least a week ahead of time)! To those unfamiliar with the event, BrickFair is a fun convention where LEGO fans showcase their creations, attend seminars, and can purchase cool items from various vendors, all in one place. BrickFair Virginia is the largest BrickFair and the only five-day LEGO fan convention in the States (and in the world if I'm correct). The event is only open to the public for two of those days however, but the other 3 days are full of fun activities for those who have registered ahead of time.
For those who don't already have it in their plans, BrickFair Virginia takes place this Wednesday through Sunday in Chantilly, Virginia. Like I said, the first 3 days are only open to registered attendees, but anyone can come out on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm for a general admission fee of $12. BrickFair is held at 4320 Chantilly Center, Chantilly, VA 20153.
As a bonus to those traveling from out-of-area, the nearest LEGO Brand retail store to the convention is only 16 miles and 22 minutes (give or take depending on traffic) away at Tyson's Corner.
If you want to make plans to attend any of the activities at BrickFair, the schedule of events is available online.
0 likes
16 comments on this article
To any fellow Brickset members who will be attending, I'd love to meet with any of you! Too bad I didn't post anything sooner in the forums or news to organise a Brickset meetup, but don't hesitate to try to find me! I'll be wearing a BrickFair name badge that will look something along the lines of this: https://www.flickr.com/photos/toameiko/14747802926/
I'll be there! I blogged about my plans for the event here: http://www.bzpower.com/board/blog/525/entry-129968-brickfair-and-other-plans/
I'll be going too! I'm looking to forward to meeting any and all who'll be attending. I'll be wearing a Lego Star Wars II T-shirt, please say hey if you see me!
I'll be there! I'm psyched!
An alternative to the Lego store at Tysons Corner would be to go to the other Lego store in the area. It is located in the Potomac Mills Outlet Mall in Woodbridge, VA, 25 miles from the Dulles Expo Center. Depending on weekend traffic it is a less hectic drive than to Tysons. The mall is a tourist destination in itself.
^True. I went to that LEGO store a few weeks ago (which is about two hours from where I live). I wanted to convince my parents to instead go to Brickfair, but I knew that they would be working those days so I had to just go according to plan (Which wasn't bad since I got a bunch of pieces at the PAB wall.
I hope to come as well, but unfortunately family plans precluded me once again from registering. I look forward to seeing fellow Bricksetters on Saturday/Sunday! I will be wearing green and a Lego Yoda watch if that helps. :-)
Like goafar, I would also recommend the Potomac Mills Lego store (although I live right next to the on at Tysons). Not only is Tysons complete chaos on the weekends, but the Potomac Mills Lego store is one of their outlet stores, which means it is the final destination for damaged box items which it frequently sells many of for 20% off.
I'll be at Brickfair this weekend with the family. Look for the little boy on a monkey leash.
I go to the Potomac store often, and as of a few days ago they had several 60051-1 Train sets on discount due to box damage. I think they were going for $110 each.
I may be going. I'll see how things turn out on Saturday. :)
Ill be there cant wait, I would say the potomic mills one is better in my opinion if your trying to decide between potomic and Tysons lego store
Castleguy121 - Haha, you mean the train that just started running yesterday?
I'll also be there! I'll be in a red t shirt that is a Lego skull and crossbones! Say hi!
Well, the lesson to be learned from Brickfair Virginia is to either submit a MOC for display or buy a ticket online ahead of time. Due to capacity issues, you simply cannot get in if you want to pay at the door. I've been in line for almost 30 minutes and not a single person in the non-pay-ahead-of-time line has been granted admittance to the venue.
UPDATE: Two hundred fortunate people in the late-to-the-party line have been admitted to the venue in 70 minutes.
Got there at 1:15. Got in the door at 3:00. My 2- and 4-year-olds were troopers! Still worth the wait. Really glad they extended the hours. First Lego event for me. Great times....
My family returned to the VA BrickFair this year after having so much fun there last year but I too had to give up the dream after witnessing the massive double lines for non-advance-ticket buyers. With our three small children (ages 7, 4, and 2) we just couldn't be in a line for 1-2 hours. Also, I hope they had advertised more clearly the fact that strollers are not allowed at the expo because I probably wouldn't have brought my 2-year-old had I knew. Although the kids were disappointed, I took them to the nearby Lego Store in Tysons Corner and bought them a couple of Lego sets with the money that we saved from not going to BrickFair. I'll be sure to remember to buy the tickets in advance next year.