Brick Rodeo 2023 report
Posted by MeganL,
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending Brick Rodeo in Sugar Land, Texas. After attending Brickworld Chicago a few weeks ago with well over 1,000 attendees and 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, it was a lovely change to come to a smaller venue. Read on to learn more of this LEGO-filled weekend.
I arrived Thursday evening, and things were well underway. I checked in at registration and received my goodie bag, which was a drawstring backpack filled with all the bricks needed to attend any of the sessions offered at the convention. That's a first for me - other conventions I've attended you've had to sign up for sessions (and receive the bricks needed) as an additional cost.
There were also door prizes available for everyone - a range of sets were available and you drew your prize by selecting a numbered tile. I was lucky, my door prize was 11022 Space Mission, a rather handsome prize! My only problem is that I'd flown to the event, so wasn't sure how I was going to transport it. Fortunately, the folks at Brick Rodeo had thought of that as well, as there was a donation box for Texas Children's Hospital at the event. I'm sure they'll be able to put that set to better use than I will!
MOC set up was well underway, with the potential for all the creations to win one of these trophies.
Friday was given over to sessions and workshops, including talks from Jordan Paxton from LEGO's AFOL Engagement Team and Stuart Harris, Master Builder at LEGO House. Other events over the weekend for attendees included both a silent and a not-so-silent auction, which raised almost $17,000 for Texas Children's Hospital.
Public hours kicked off on Saturday. Public hours were limited to two hour blocks of time, and tickets were limited. Both Saturday and Sunday were sold out events, with over 3500 tickets sold over the two days. It made for a busy, but not too crowded, exhibit hall.
Ethan and Liz from LEGO Masters Season 3 were in attendance. So was Dom, but I couldn't find him to get him in the picture!
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Brickset friends Beyond the Brick were on the job, as always.
Members of the 501st turned up for photo opportunities, including the R2 unit that amused everyone, especially when it ventured into the adjoining hotel lobby.
Of course, the stars of the show were the MOCs. Here are just a few of my favourites.
This creation, Landing on Alpha Centauri II by Jeffrey Schroeder, was completely under blacklight.
Andrew Schmidt had several stunning mosaics, but I particularly liked this one, Atlas Shrugged.
The Beneda family had this delightful Winter Village creation, which was appropriate considering the theme of the convention was "Winter in July".
The Women's Brick Initiative Quilt turned out quite well! Over 100 people contributed squares to this creation, which won the Representation Award for the convention.
This water theme park (literally - there is water used throughout this creation), also known as Click and Slide by Nathaen Koski, won the fan favourite award.
Finally, Life Under the Sea, a build by Robert Clarady, won Best in Show. The picture doesn't do the creation justice, as there is movement incorporated in several spots. I particularly liked the turtle legs movement.
It was a lovely event, and over all too soon. Brick Rodeo alternates between Houston and Austin, so next year's event will be held in Austin over the July 4th weekend. If you're in the area, I'd highly recommend going.
After being at a larger event like Brickworld Chicago (which is amazing in its own right), it was fantastic to be in a smaller venue, so I could meet more of the attendees. I really enjoyed chatting with the Bricksetters who were there!
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13 comments on this article
Thanks, Megan. Great write up, and appreciate all the pictures. Looks like a great show.
Awesome report. Thank you.
Love the blacklight display in particular.
And that World Map is incredible.
THAT is how the official set should have been imho. Would have been a day one purchase for me.
Thanks for the great review! It’s wonderful to learn about what is happening in the fan community and to be inspired by their cool creations. Each convention and region has its own qualities which make it unique and special.
Thanks for the report. Excellent displays. Love the Atlas Shrugged, and the Winter Village reminds me that I really should put one together rather than leaving it unbuilt for yet another year. (I've only got as far as getting a couple of rolls of fake snow in 7 years, despite good intentions!)
I've seen several short videos from this legocon on Beyond The Brick yt and that blacklight alien scenery looks soooo good. That patchwork on the other hand is for me more boring than dots mosaics. Imagine if that concept was a real lego set, the comment section would go soooo mad about it, lol (cue: modern art set reception, which to me looks much better).
Interesting article and beautifull pictures!
The population of the waterpark has had me amused for quite a while.
Brick Rodeo is also held in San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth. I attended the last ones in DFW and Austin. Covid shook things up but I *think* they plan to alternate between the 4 major Texas metros.
Great review. It is a really nice event. Would have loved to attend and met you there, but just didn't work out this year.
@Keilup said:
"Brick Rodeo is also held in San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth. I attended the last ones in DFW and Austin. Covid shook things up but I *think* they plan to alternate between the 4 major Texas metros.
Great review. It is a really nice event. Would have loved to attend and met you there, but just didn't work out this year."
Brick Rodeo has struggled to have volunteers from San Antonio & DFW be willing/able to host the convention. Until/unless something changes, it will be moving between Houston and Austin.
@Hushed said:
"
Brick Rodeo has struggled to have volunteers from San Antonio & DFW be willing/able to host the convention. Until/unless something changes, it will be moving between Houston and Austin. "
Bummer. Didn't know that. Was looking forward to it coming back to DFW.
@Keilup said:
" @Hushed said:
"
Brick Rodeo has struggled to have volunteers from San Antonio & DFW be willing/able to host the convention. Until/unless something changes, it will be moving between Houston and Austin. "
Bummer. Didn't know that. Was looking forward to it coming back to DFW."
Reality Bites.
To the above: I can confirm that for the last few years, Brick Rodeo has oscillated between Austin and Houston. Next year's will be in Austin, TX, and it is safe to assume 2025 will see come to Houston, likely in the same location in Sugar Land.
Glad you came @MeganL and it was a pleasure to meet you! One of my MOCs (the "dreamsicle spaceship") was honored by WBI per the little token of appreciation, so I thank you as well for that! Hope to see you and more Brickset representation in Austin and the years to come! Brick Rodeo really is special and the staff goes all out to make it happen for the guests! I highly recommend more people join us in the fun.
I've seen video of the water park on Instagram and it looks amazing. I don't live anywhere near a LEGO con, so I've never been. :(