Block Party - Columbia County Magazine

Professional Lego artists will showcase almost 100 creations.

Calling all blockheads. For the first time, the BrickUniverse Lego Fan Convention is coming to the area. The event will play upon Lego’s long-standing popularity and ingenuity with attractions and activities built around the world’s favorite plastic building blocks.

The first convention was held in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2015, and since that time thousands of Lego fans have attended shows to see live Lego builds and life-sized Lego models.

Visitors can build their own masterpieces in the Building Zone, the Lego Friends Building Area, Big Brick Building for younger fans and the Star Wars Zone. Lego merchandise also will be available for purchase in the Lego Retail area.

For inspiration, attendees can visit with renowned Lego artists Jonathan Lopes of San Diego, Chicago-based Rocco Buttliere and Paul Hetherington of Vancouver, Canada.

Lopes will showcase more than 30 of his select Lego displays including an 8-foot model of New York City’s Woolworth Building.

Buttliere will bring 50-plus massive Lego models of famous landmarks from around the globe such as the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai and the Westminster Palace in London.

Hetherington will display the five Best in Show Award creations he won at Brickcon in Seattle and his “Batman vs. Joker Gotham Theater Showdown,” which was named the 2016 Lego Creation of the Year by the Brothers-Bricks.

Tickets for the convention typically sell out, so early booking is recommended at brickuniverse.com/augusta.

If You Go:

What: BrickUniverse Lego Fan Convention

When: Saturday, January 26 – Sunday, January 27; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. each day

Where: Augusta Convention Center