NELUG Helps Reach Sell Out Crowds at LEGO KidsFest 2009
NELUG, PennLUG and two members of ParLUGment were the clubs who contributed to the AFOL layouts at the first ever LEGO KidsFest run in the USA. The event was held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT on 20-22 Nov. 2009, and by lunchtime on Saturday maximum capacity was reached for the first time at the newly constructed venue!
NELUG contributed substantially to the displays by setting up and running a train and town layout, a space/moonbase display, a display of Steampunk themed airships and MOCs, many other MOCs, and a fully functioning Great Ball Contraption (GBC). Throngs of people crowded around the three AFOL displays, reaching as much as 5 people deep for most of the 2 1/2 days the event ran. These displays were definitely the highlight of the show, and were the feature of fans and photographers alike.
NELUG’s now famous train and town layout provided much inspiration and entertainment to the viewing public. Included on the layout were 4 simultaneously running trains on 4 separate loops, an automated trolley line, a fully functional carnival that featured working rides and attractions, a LEGO city, a monorail link between the city area and carnival, a residential area, and a rural farm scene.
The space/moonbase display featured two new additions – a space needle styled moonbase module complete with rotating restaurant, and a collection of technic figure scale MOCs. The Steampunk display had many exciting and interesting airships with working rotors/propellers, and many new and interesting MOCs were featured as part of the MOC display including a large collection of airplanes, dinosaurs, and a wonderful pirate themed interpretation of the game Carcassone using 16x16 stud baseplates as the playing pieces.
The GBC, which is essentially a complex series of LEGO technic styled devices that move LEGO soccer balls from left to right, featured a crazy new device - a giant ferris wheel with a 6 foot diameter wheel! Many ingenious devices were displayed, showing just how innovative some NELUG members can be with their technic skills.
Despite the large crowds and little time for food and breaks, a wonderful time was had by all who attended. Folks from The LEGO Group graciously hosted us all for dinner on both Friday and Saturday night, with a special treat of getting to visit LEGO headquarters on Saturday evening as well! Thanks to all of the NELUG members who participated and put in so much time to make the event a success, and thank you to our friends at The LEGO Group for doing all that you did to accommodate us before, during and after the show.
Pictures of the event can be found in the Flickr pool LEGO KidsFest 2009 and in our Gallery.