Answers vary with each show.  Highlighted info and highlighted info is unique to Virginia '24.

There is no age-limit for participating in BrickFair NoVa 2024.

To attend and exhibit, you must answer YES to all the following:

  • Do I love LEGO?
  • Can I afford the $95 registration fee?  And the hotel room?
  • Am I ready to have fun?
  • Can I get out of work/school Wednesday, Jul 31 thru Sunday, Aug 4 2024?
  • Am I open to making new friends?
    We know it can be difficult, but you must at least be open to the idea.
  • Do I have an original MOC to show off?
    This is key.  See the exhibitor FAQs for details on what to bring.  Your parents aren't expected to bring MOCs.

BrickFair strives to entertain adults, and attracting adult fans of LEGO is our primary goal.  Being 18+ is a bonus.  But teens and tots also immensely enjoy BrickFair weekend.

  1. Read the exhibitor FAQ.

  2. Join BrickFair.com and activate your account.

  3. Log in.

  4. Register to attend on your account page.

  5. Repeat registration for friends and family who will be joining you.

    Kids 5 and under needn't register nor pay.

  6. Pay up.

    Don't delay.  Be sure to read the deadlines on your account page!

    Table space is included in your registration.  Everyone may display as much or as little LEGO as they wish.  We will accommodate every registered MOC.

Book a hotel room.

Register MOCs you plan to bring.

Advantages:

  • Registering MOCs alerts organizers to what you're bringing, and how much table space we need to prepare for each theme.
  • Registering MOCs forewarns organizers about large MOCs (20+ sq ft) which may merit space reserved specifically for you.
  • Registering MOCs (on time) gets you a MOC card, which is a nice memento, and also makes it easier for others to vote for your MOC.
  • We guarantee table space for every registered MOC.  Unexpected large MOCs may receive less-than-ideal placement.

Sign up for games you are interested in playing.

You'll be showing off your skills to the world.  You're gonna want to put your best foot forward.  Get that MOC done!

We recommend showing up as early as possible, simply because it's fun to be there.  The expo opens to exhibitors at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Jul 31st 2024.

But MOC setup continues until late Friday night.  So there's plenty of time.

Look at the schedule, note the first game you want to attend, and make sure you arrive at least an hour prior.

There will be enough room for every MOC.  We plan for it.  As the setup days progress, we may shift MOCs around, squeezing in or spreading out as needed.

Walk on in, go to the Check-In desk, and state your name.

You'll receive your goodie bag and be on your merry way.

Don't race.  Don't panic.

Take your goodie bag and go find a (relatively) quiet place to sit down.  The Food Court is a good bet, or the Bingo area.  See the map on the back cover of your program guide for ideas where to sit, for now.

Sit down and read your program guide.  Relax and take your time.  You're probably not missing anything.  Enjoy the fact that you're sitting in a room full of LEGO.

Your badge is inside your goodie bag.  Build it.  Wear it!

You will need your badge visible on your person to re-enter the expo hall.

If you paid late you will receive a paper or default badge.  There's no getting around this.  Requests to purchase brick badges will be declined.

See the map in your program guide.  Find the theme that best matches your MOC and head for that area to set up your MOC(s)!

We have Theme Leaders whose job is to help you get situated.  They will be wearing BrickFair referee shirts.  Some Theme Leaders will be more hands-on, more instructive, depending upon personality and anticipated density of MOCs in their area.  Theme Leaders are volunteers, like most everybody else at BrickFair, so be patient with them.

Don't race, do this liesurely.  Enjoy your time here.

Talk to the other AFOLs around you.  Compliment their MOCs.  You're going to be sitting next to them for 5 days.

Plan to attend Bingo Grande and the Opening Ceremonies.

(These are popular, and offer a chance to win LEGO prizes)

Plan to spend much of the public hours watching your area, guarding your MOCs from curious little fingers.

You're not necessarily stuck there the whole time.  There are other FOLs in your area.  Take turns, take breaks, get lunch.

Make friends with the folks around you.  Find out who's done this before.  Ask their opinion on which events shouldn't be missed, after-hours entertainment, etc.

Have fun!