FAQs for AFOLs
Public guests, these FAQs are not helpful to you. These FAQs are for AFOLs/exhibitors. You want to read the public FAQs.
Is the event 2 days long? Or 4 days?
Exhibitor's event is 4 days long, starting Aug 2nd 2012 and ending Aug 5th 2012.
Public hours are only Saturday and Sunday. Publications (including magazine ads, the BrickFair.com home page, etc) advertise directly to the public, listing only the Sat/Sun hours, so as not to confuse the public visitors.
What's the fee to display my MOC?
It's included in your registration. Every registrant is entitled to show off MOCs. We cram in or spread out based on MOC turnout.
It is not uncommon for us to display MOCs two- and sometimes three-deep. We strive to be fair as possible, but please be prepared to share space.
Where do I set up my MOC?
BrickFair VA 2012 is divided up by Themes. Aim for your theme. A map is located inside your Program Guide
(in your goodie bag when you check-in).
It may be necessary to touch or move others' MOCs when placing your own. Be gentle. Treat others' LEGO better than you treat your own.
Where do I set up if I have multiple MOCs in various themes?
It's your choice to show them together in the MIXED area or to place each in its own respective theme. If showing them together, find a spot to call your own. Use common sense, don't infringe on other themes or other group's areas.
Where do I sit?
Chairs are provided behind the MOC tables. You'll hang out, watch your MOC, show off to the public, and hopefully make friends with your neighbors.
Must I babysit my MOC?
Generally, we take turns. During public hours someone should be nearby watching.
Can I take my MOC home at night, to be safe?
Nobody ever does that - although you are welcome to do so.
Where do I pay?
Once registered, here's the payment information.
Does my mom have to register with me?
Yes, your mom must also register and pay. There are no free or discounted admissions. If you're 15-years-old or younger, you must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian (18+).
Must we register our kids who are being dragged along with us?
Yes, your kids must also register. There are no free or discounted admissions.
My son is the real LEGO fan. Must we pay for our daughter who is just tagging along?
Yes, your daughter must register. There are no free or discounted admissions.
What's the deadline?
There is no deadline to register. You may walk in at the last minute and register on the spot.
The following amenities require pre-registration and pre-payment:
- Printing your name in the Program Guide: Friday, Jul 20th 2012.
- Brick Badge: Friday, Jul 20th 2012.
- Event Date: Thursday, Aug 2nd 2012.
Some goodie bag items are limited in quantity. Every registrant receives a goodie bag, but some contents are served while supplies last, on a first-paid basis.
Is there an age limit?
Registrants must either A) Be 16, or B) Attend with another registrant who is over 18. All must pay the registration fee.
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The Robot Says: First-time registrants must be 13+ years old. If you are new to the full 4-day BrickFair event and wish to exhibit, you must be 13+ years old. Returnees from previous events, of all ages, from are welcome back. See returnee registration. |
What Can't My Kid Do?
Should I bring LEGO?
Registrants are exhibitors. Yes, bring a LEGO creation to show. That's the whole fun!
"A lot of the social scene revolves around talking about what you've built, how you've built it, and what you're going to build. Without something you've created, you can't have those discussions."
Jonathan Bender, LEGO: A Love Story
Public visitors should not bring MOCs.
What should I bring?
Bring any LEGO-built creation you dreamt up and built yourself. We can't all build 12'-tall cranes or life-sized Batman, so don't try to compete; just build and bring what makes you happy.
BrickFair VA 2012 is divided into Themes
but don't pigeon-hole yourself. Build what you like and we'll make a place for you.
What shouldn't I bring?
Don't bring official LEGO sets - that won't impress anyone.
How much should I bring?
There are few limits to what you can bring! Most folks bring "just their best."
Am I required to bring a MOC?
Well, no. If you come empty-handed, you won't be the only one. But the glue that holds BrickFair together, is MOCs.
When do we set up?
Setting up should take place Thursday afternoon (see the schedule) and all day Friday. If bringing a large display, you'll want to arrive early to secure a spot. As more MOCs arrive and tables fill up it becomes increasingly difficult to jostle for space.
See the schedule. Note: the full registrants' weekend runs Thursday afternoon through Sunday night. Set-up hours are considered half the fun!
I need to activate my account. Where's my activation code?
Wear comfortable shoes.
The Dulles Expo Center is all concrete floors.
Plan ahead.
Seriously, register and pay ahead of time. It will make your weekend and ours so much more enjoyable.
Register your MOCs as soon as possible.
Brickee trophy voting.
Your vote is limited to the few nominated MOCs. Before walking around judging MOCs, go to your account page and print the Nominee Reminder Sheet
.
Voting is done online. We have a computer for you if needed.
Take Friday off.
Hell, take Thursday off too.
Most people treat BrickFair as a vacation destination, not just a weekend diversion. Most take time off work to be there. Seminars are scheduled throughout the day Friday and some on Thursday.
Sign-up for games.
Many games have limited seating. Sign-up online. All players' names are drawn from the online sign-ups.
Seminar locations.
The schedule specifies seminar locations. But you may still check the Community Board for possible changes during the event.
Read the Community Board.
It's good info.
Read the Program Guide.
As soon as you check-in, make yourself comfortable, open your goodie bag, and read the Program Guide
. It's where we try to stick all the important information.
Register your MOC.
Only registered MOCs get MOC cards. Only registered MOCs are eligible for Brickee awards. Register MOCs from your account page.
Registering MOCs is optional. MOC cards provide info about your creation to the public. And MOC cards are another memento of the weekend. But some don't bother registering MOCs - that's okay too.
Where are my MOC cards?
If you registered your MOCs on time, MOC cards are in your goodie bag waiting for you when you check-in.
If you didn't register your MOC, you can write a small card yourself - for public info.
Upload a picture of your MOC.
Brickee voting is done online and uses photos you upload. When faced with the choice, most people will vote for the MOC with a photo.
BrickFair uses uploaded photos for publications.
Inspect your online name badge.
Once registered, inspect your name badge online! It is engraved just as you spelled it, including CAPitalization and misspellings.
Once paid, your name badge may be engraved at any time. Once engraved, your badge (and on-screen name) cannot be modified.
Inspect your online MOC cards.
Your MOC cards allow more text than might appear on the actual card. Click the [MOC Card]
link to inspect your MOC card. This is how your MOC card will actually appear when printed!
Strollers okay.
BrickFair has a no-stroller policy for the public. This does not apply to you, the exhibitors. You'll have room behind your MOC tables to park your stroller.
Volunteer!
We have volunteer positions.
Bring money.
Our local LEGO stores typically have a special sale just for exhibitors.
Where shall I sleep?
See the travel info page.
How do I participate in "collaborative displays?"
"Standards" are popular in the LEGO community. Individuals build units following standard guidelines. When these AFOLs arrive at BrickFair, all their MOCs come together smoothly in one elegant display.
Expect to see these, and possibly others:
- Great Ball Contraption. Wildly popular for AFOLs and public. Use automation to transport balls around the table. The standard.
- Micropolis. New in 2009 from TwinLUG, build entire cities with just a few LEGO pieces. The standard.
- ApocaLEGO. LEGO towns in post-WWIII settings. Young, hip and cool. The standard (discussion of an old contest). And some photos.
- Classic Castle City. Allows various people to work together regardless of MOC size and complexity. The standard.
My wife is joining me just for the seminar.
No she's not. If your wife wishes to attend a seminar, she must register. There are no free or discounted admissions.
I'd like to register once for both my boys, bringing only one at a time.
Well now that's just cheating. The simple act of walking into the expo is partaking in the event. And participation requires registration. There are no free or discounted admissions.
What is "TLG?"
The LEGO Group. Refering to the company as TLG
eliminates confusion when using just "LEGO" in a sentence.
What is "PAB?"
Pick-A-Brick
. A cool feature at LEGO stores whereby customers may purchase bulk quantities of just one piece.
Where is the "Community Board?"
The Community Board
is a corkboard located near the AFOL registration desk.
Refund policy:
Once your LEGO brick badge is engraved, refund is reduced by $6. Aside from that, registration is refundable up to 30 days prior to the event. After Jul 12th 2012 no refund is offered.
To request a refund, contact us. Your brick badge may be engraved at any time after registration is paid. The $2 PayPal fee is not refundable.
Can I ship my MOC ahead of me?
Yes. Ship your MOC to BrickFair's mailing address.
Package must arrive by Monday, Jul 30th; on Tuesday, Jul 31st Todd moves to BrickFair, and does not return home. Write the recipient's name on the outside of the box. We won't open it; we'll simply deliver it to the person.
What's in the BrickFair goodie bag?
Only exhibitors get goodie bags. The contents are a not-so-well-kept secret!
Goodie bags include limited-quantity items which are distributed on a first-paid (not first-arrived) basis. The first 1000 goodie bags are complete.
Is non-LEGO string okay?
A quote from our Program Guide:
Can I take my MOC and leave on Saturday?
It's your party. You are welcome to come and go as you wish.
Files archive.
Due to popular demand, some files (such as Event Kit instructions, posters, etc) are made available for download.
Can I submit a BrickFilm?
Sadly, due to the lighting and noise of our venue, BrickFilms has been dropped from the schedule.
Is food nearby?
The Dulles Expo Center has an on-site cafeteria. And every fast food joint imaginable lies within 500 yards of the building.
Can I bring food?
Technically, food may not be brought into the Dulles Expo Center. But, as an exhibitor, you can probably get away with sneaking it in.