Brickmania Blog

>>>Here is a schedule for Brickmania’s confirmed events for 2013>>>

Brickmania attends numerous AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) conventions, LEGO exhibitions and other events throughout  the year. At most events we bring models to display, as well as a fully stocked vendor booth, including a complete line of Brickmania kits and BrickArms accessories.. At some shows we have special edition kits and often have stuff on hand that is not available through the web store.  More dates will be announced as they are confirmed.

First Thursday and Second Saturday of the every month:
Brickmania Toyworks Open House
Brickmania has an open house our NE Minneapolis Warehouse (referred to as the “Brickmania Toyworks” on the first Thursday of month from 5pm-9pm and the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 4pm.  We feature displays of Brickmania’s models plus LEGO train layouts of the TCLTC (Twin Cities Lego Train Club) and GMLTC (Greater Midwest Lego Train Club). There is a stay and play area and small selection of snacks and refreshments available. We also have a store with cool Brickmania, BrickArms and LEGO-related stuff. Admission is free.

January 19-20: Brickfair Alabama: Birmingham, AL
BrickFair is a AFOL convention and public exhibition that takes place in different locations around the United States. Brickmania has one of the largest vendor booths at Brickfair and we bring a complete line of  Brickmania kits, custom minifies,  T-shirts, and BrickArms custom weapons, we always brings several large models to display.

January 31-February 3: Minneapolis Boat Show: Minneapolis, MN
Brickmania is providing a play area at the Minneapolis Boat Show and have several of our large nautical themed models on display. We have also made several exclusive boat sets to be released at this event.

March 9-10: Brickworld Indy: Indianapolis, IN
Brickworld Indy is an annual public exhibition featuring the LEGO creation of IndyLUG and other regional builders. Brickmania will debut a new WW2 Pacific Island invasion diorama at Brickworld Indy measuring 5 x 16 feet!

April 3-7: Arrowhead Home Builders Show: Duluth, MN
Brickmania displays will include the WW2 Pacific Island Invasion Diorama, plus models of the World War II US Navy light cruiser USS Duluth and the Split Rock Lighthouse.

May 5: Brick Boutique, Pasadena, CA
Brickmania is returning to SoCal on May 5th! We’ll have a full selection of Brickmania kits, BrickArms weapons, Roaglaan’s Customs decals, special deals and more. They’ve expanded into the adjoining ballroom, so expect a larger event than before. Best of all, admission is still free!

May 11-12: Brickfair Northeast: Manchester, NH
Brickfair’s debut appearance in New England is giving us our first opportunity to appear in the area too.  Brickmania will have the WW2 Pacific Island Invasion Diorama on display.

May 17-19: Northeast Art-A-Whirl: Minneapolis, MN
Brickmania’s warehouse is located ground zero in heart of one of the country’s largest art crawls and we will be open to the public for all three days. In addition to our normal displays from the GMLTC and TCLTC, we will have numerous regional artists and artisan selling their wares, music guests, folks dancing and May Pole wrap, Pizza Lucé pizza and more. A full list of artists and activities will be posted soon.

June 12-16: Brickworld Chicago: Schaumburg, IL
Brickworld is one of the largest AFOL conventions in the world and are moving to an even bigger location at the Schaumburg Convention Center this year. Brickmania will have several models on display as well as a vendor booth large enough to accommodate all of the Brickworld visitors, and stocked full of the latest Brickmania kits, BrickArms custom weapons, and other awesomeness.

June 28-30: World War Brick: Minneapolis, MN
World War Brick is the only event dedicated to military and historical modeling with LEGO bricks. On display is the world largest assembly of military and historical models built by LEGO enthusiasts from around the world. Weekend pass holders can participate in a full three days of activities, while more casual visittors may see the displays and visit the store area during the limited public hours. World War Brick 2013 will take place in Brickmania’s 16,000 SF warehouse space in Minneapolis and is co-sponsored by BrickArms and GI Brick.

July 3-7: Brick Fiesta: Mesquite, TX (Dallas)
Brickmania is a charter attendee at this annual event dedicated to LEGO builders and fans from across Texas and beyond. We plan to bring our WW2 Pacific Island Invasion Diorama and anything else we can fit into the van.

July 10: EMTRAC LST Event: Evansville, IN
We have been invited to display our Pacific Diorama at the Evansville Museum Transportation Center (Emtrac) for a special appearance. There will be personnel from the LST Memorial present to give mini tours of our 1/35 scale LST model. In addition to our displays, we will also have a complete line of Brickmania kits, BrickArms weapons, etc. Admission for 12 and up is $2, 11 and under are free.

July 11-14: BrickFete: Toronto, ONT
The only Canadian AFOL event Brickmania is attending this year. Not only are we attending Brickete, but we like it so much that we’re premier level sponsors!

August 1-4: Brickfair Virginia: Chantilly, VA
The biggest LEGO fan event in North America takes place at the beginning of August just outside of Washington DC.

August 8-11: Bricks By the Bay: Santa Clara, CA
California’s only AFOL convention takes place each year in the south San Francisco Bay area. Brickmania will be represented by Julie and the rest of the crew at the GI Brick booth with a full selection of kits, including rare items not available through the web store. Keep in mind that Sunday, August 11 is the ONLY day open to the general public (the other days are for exhibitors with full registration only).

August 17-18: Tank Farm Open House: Nokesville, VA
Brickmania has been invited to display in the main pavilion during the VMMV‘s “Tank Farm” Open House. More than 60 fully restored historic military vehicles from WW1 to the present will be on display, along with demonstrations by living history units, veterans groups, drawings for a chance to ride in an armored vehicle and more. Suggested minimum donation is $10 per adult. RSVP to the web site: http://www.nmaw.org/events/

August 29-September 2: LST 325 Tour: Charleston, WV
The World War II veteran ship LST 325 will be docked at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston, WV and open for tours 9am to 5pm each day. Brickmania has been invited to set up our large Peleliu display in the ship’s tank  deck as part of the tour. We will also have a small store featuring Brickmania’s kits, BrickArms accessories, etc. Tours are $10 per adult and $5 for kids ages 5-17 and family passes for $20.

September 28-29: Brickworld Fort Wayne: Fort Wayne, IN
A massive LEGO fan exhibition held each year in northeastern Indiana. “See 25,000 square feet of spectacular creations all built from LEGO bricks by local LEGO enthusiasts. Enjoy interactive activities, such as the LEGO and DUPLO play brick areas, seek and finds, fighting robots, etc.  Buy your favorite LEGO sets, minifigures, and LEGO accessories from various vendors.” We’ve missed this one in previous years due to schedule conflicts and are looking forward to showing our stuff to Fort Wayne!

October 5-6, 2013: BrickCon: Seattle, WA
The Emerald City’s premier LEGO fan event and one of our favorites. Again we will have our humble little booth set up in the shadow of the Brickarms / GI Brick superstore! We’re planning to make some special Pigs Verses Cow decals to include in the attendee goodie bags!

October 17: Nerd Thursday @ MIA: Minneapolis, MN
Brickmania will be hosting a mosaic build of Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Olive Trees at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts as part of their free Nerd Thursday festivities. The entire event is free and we need your help to build this huge mosaic in just thee hours. Click here for more information or the link above for the official listing or here for the Facebook event.

November 23-24: Brickfête Montreal: Montreal, Canada
Brickmania will be present at the first Montreal edition of the premier Canadian LEGO fan event.  Registered attendees will three full days of LEGO obsessed activities for AFOLs and exhibitors. Doors will open for the general public Saturday and Sunday.

December 14-15 2013: NILTC‘s train show at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, IL
The Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club takes over the entire Visitors Center at Cantigny Park for it’s annual holiday display. Brickmania has been invited to join them each year and it’s one of our favorite events. Admission to the show is free, but there is a small fee for parking (they have waived this with a Toys for Tots donation in the past). Don’t forget to tour the First Infantry Divisions museum and check out the tanks parked around the park!