Bricksplosion Halifax: Unique Lego show looking at successful second year

CITYnews halifax / By Steve Gow

The organizer of a unique event taking place this weekend in Halifax is hoping to build on the success of its inaugural launch.

The first-ever Bricksplosion was a big hit last year drawing about 2,300 visitors, eight sold-out vendors and raising hundreds of dollars for a good cause all in the name of an ever-popular Danish toy.

Organized by Shawn McLeod of the Maritime Lego User Group, Bricksplosion is Atlantic Canada’s one-of-a-kind fan exposition for those who simply love the art of Lego toys.

“It was kind of a whim of mine,” McLeod tells CityNews Halifax. “There are all these Lego conventions all over the world and I was going to one in Toronto and I was sitting around in May thinking, ‘why don’t we have one,’ so I just kind of pulled out my credit card and picked the closest venue to my house.”

As a result of some quick organizing, last summer’s inaugural Bricksplosion “went off with flying colours,” drawing hundreds of people to view some 30 builders showcase their Lego-inspired artworks and creations.

With the 2nd annual Bricksplosion set to take over the Mayflower Curling Club this Saturday, McLeod is hoping for even more fans of the iconic toy to come out and witness original unique creations from Lego builders.

“Bricksplosion is a great expo showcasing the Maritime creators as well as quite few local vendors,” explains McLeod, adding there is also a children’s play area run by representatives from Halifax Public Library.

“We’re also having a vintage video game section that is run by Game Over Cancer and we’re having a raffle of some great Lego prizes to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.”

But one of the highlights of this year’s Bricksplosion in particular is a special focus on a milestone anniversary of the partnership between Lego and the Star Wars film franchise.

“This is the 25th anniversary of (when Lego) first signed their contract,” notes McLeod. “So one of our members from Moncton took all those sets that came out 25 years ago and built kind of dioramas or scenes around them so it’s not just the Millenium Falcon, it’s the Millenium Falcon flying through space (and) that’s a really exciting part of the show that’s happening this year.”

Bricksplosion isn’t just for the most fervent fans of Lego mind you. With a keen eye on creativity, this Saturday’s expo will have something for anyone interested in all types of art.

“It’s a very creative group of people that, I think, undervalue their creativity. They see it still as a toy and I come at it from an art perspective,” adds McLeod. “There’s going to be some beautiful stuff that’s going to be on display.”

For more information, visit: www.bricksplosion.ca