Everything was Awesome at last weekend’s Brick Fiesta! This convention was organized by the Texas LEGO Users Group (TexLUG). Bill and I did not attend the actual convention, but we did go over to the Hilton Doubletree Austin to tour the exhibit hall. A big turnout was expected, so we arrived shortly after the doors opened.

Bill joked that we might be the only adults without children, but there were plenty of AFOLs (Adult Fans Of LEGO) as well as KFOLs (Kid Fans…). We looked at hundreds of MOCs (My Own Creation) designed by all ages and experience levels. (Apparently LEGO geeks like acronyms.) Awards were given in MOC categories such as City, Adventure, Space, Pirates,  and Technic. There was a local category: Everything is Austin.

We learned that the little LEGO people are actually called Minifigures (aka Minifigs). Creating Minifigs seems to be a side hobby for LEGO enthusiasts. Some folks were selling customized versions of superheroes, Star Wars characters, and even San Antonio Spurs players.

We spoke to one hobbyist who creates impressive LEGO buildings and vehicles, including the fire station above. He told us that he creates most of his designs using CAD software and that his larger buildings typically take several months to complete. Nothing is glued together, although he sometimes uses wire as underpinnings.

The same man also created this charming French Quarter building and street parade.

Ten LEGO enthusiasts contributed portions of this gigantic amusement park display. Most of the rides were motorized, with lots of NPUs (Nice Part Use).

Here’s a close-up of the Arcade within the amusement park. Notice the Minifigs playing the miniature arcade games.

This display featured the Austin-based sponsors for Brick Fiesta. That’s a MetroRail car in the background.

Competing for the MOC Everything is Austin category: a LEGO version of Austin’s own Baylor Street graffitti wall…

…and a clever Minifig scene from the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

This detailed street scene was part of a huge display created by a LEGO train club called the Texas Brick Railroad. The setup included a huge park, farm, and railyard.

The train display included a cute miniature version, too.

Do you recognize this? I’ve give you a Clue…

This LEGO robot actually solved a Rubix Cube. First, an infrared scanner checked the colors on one side, then the robotic arms went to work, twisting and turning the cube to solve the puzzle. The display screen showed the number of remaining moves. When finished, the machine spun itself around in a celebratory dance.

Everything was Awesome!

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