Games & Events

Exhibitors welcome to play; these are typically not public events.  Rules and eligibility are determined by each game's host.  Sign-up for games by Friday, Jul 19th for best odds of being drawn to play.

$15 Draft

All the fun of Parts Draft without the hassle of remembering to bring a set. BrickFair provides the sets - (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 3 copies of #76010 Penguin Face Off and (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 2 copies of #41130 Amusement Park Roller Coaster - for this game. Selected players buy-in for $15. Twelve players will divide (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 5 sets. That's a total (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 2,656 parts, or (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 221 parts (average) per player, for $15.

Like the Parts Draft, this is a great opportunity to acquire a deeper quantity of select parts at low cost.

$20 Draft

The same as $15 Draft but with a bigger set.

BrickFair provides the sets - (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 2 copies of #31057 Air Blazer and (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 3 copies of #31029 Cargo Heli and (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 3 copies of #60095 Deep Sea Exploration Vessel - for this game. Selected players buy-in for $20. Ten players will divide (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 8 sets. That's a total (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 2,751 parts, or (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 275 parts (average) per player, for $20.

$30 Draft

The same as $15 Draft but with a bigger set.

BrickFair provides the sets - (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 1 copy of #70354 Axl's Rumble Maker and (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 1 copy of #75180 Rathtar Escape and (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 3 copies of #60141 Police Station - for this game. Selected players buy-in for $30. Ten players will divide (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 5 sets. That's a total (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 3,911 parts, or (NEW DATA COMING SOON) 391 parts (average) per player, for $30.

Bingo Grande

The biggest and best prizes come out in Bingo Grande held Wednesday evening just before opening ceremonies.

BIONICLE Trivia Challenge

BrickFair Virginia is honored to be home of one of the largest annual gathering of BIONICLE fans and enthusiasts!  With so much collective knowledge in one space, it’s time to put your memory to the test.

Join Eljay Johnsen, cast member of the TTV YouTube Channel and host of his own weekly podcast the Eljay Johnsen Show, for two rounds of BIONICLE trivia - one aimed at the audience and the other... at himself!  Prizes will be awarded.

Unity.  Duty.  Destiny!

Blind Build AFOL 1

Players all receive the same small set to build (set not revealed until the game). Players may read their instructions, but cannot see the parts they are assembling!

Points are deducted for parts in the wrong places, and for missing parts.

The winner gets an awesome prize, and everyone has a great time (and keeps their small set).

Blind Build AFOL 2

See Blind Build AFOL 1 for details.

Blind Build TFOL

See Blind Build AFOL 1 for details.

Blind Build VIP

The same as Blind Build AFOL 1 but players are pre-selected AFOLs and special guests.

Boat Race

Build a boat (using only LEGO parts, of course) and race against other boats for speed in the hotel swimming pool.  Use Technic motors (or MINDSTORMS if you dare).  Race for first!  Race for fun!  A Technic set awaits the winner.

All boats must be self-propelled and move without external assistance, use of tether lines, etc., although remote controls are allowed.

(NEW DATA COMING SOON) This year's race is Slalom type, where boats will need to navigate a mini obstacle course.  See the rules for more details.

Some venues (notably BF/VA) are outdoors and do not let you walk closely to your boat.  Take that into consideration in your design.  In past contests, Power Functions R/C has not worked well due to distance and interference from sunlight, but classic radio R/C does work.  We also permit the use of sBrick as a controller.

(NEW DATA COMING SOON) UPDATE!  Here's the rules we previously neglected to include in this game listing.

Race held rain or shine, though we can't prevent the hotel from closing the pool if they need.

Brick MADNESS

Brick MADNESS is the culmination of 8 years of tireless work to make a film that not only captures the spirit of the massive LEGO subculture, but dramatizes it into a hilarious mockumentary film that is as funny as it is heartwarming.

Justin McAleece is coming to BrickFair VA to feature his new movie, just for us exhibitors!

Scheduling is yet tentative, but we hope to play the movie at least twice, at the Holiday Inn across the parking lot, in a nice dark-controlled atmosphere!

A $5 donation at the door is appreciated but not required.  This helps offset Justin's travels to our show.

CAH Vignette Build

This game is held in two sessions.

STEP 1: Players meet at the designated time to draw cards from the CAH deck.  Each player ends up with one black and one white card.  Players then have a couple days to build a vignette representing their two cards.

STEP 2: Players bring their vignettes together for display during Adult Swim.  Players vote for their favorite (game host casts the deciding vote if needed), and the winner gets a prize.

A basic understanding of Cards Against Humanity is strongly suggested.

Cards Against Humanity

A party game for horrible people.  Unlike most of the party games you may have played before, Cards Against Humanity is as despicable and awkward as you and your friends.  For this modified version you will receive bricks for good answers, and you will need to build something rude with your bricks for the win.

If you are easily offended, do not play this game.

Because of the hectic schedule during Adult Swim, this will be hosted as a first-seated pick-up game.

Charity Auction: Silent

All items in the Silent Charity Auction are donated by you, the AFOLs (and some strangers who mail us stuff, and TLG). All proceeds benefit our children's charity, the SladeChild Foundation.

To bid on items, please be 18, and simply write your name and bid amount using the old fashioned pen-and-paper method.

Happy bidding!

Checkers Tournament

The classic checkers game.  You know it!  You love it!

Well, okay, so you don't "love" it.  But it's a decent game.  And of course the further you last in this tournament, the bigger the LEGO prize you receive :)

Closing Door Prizes

Simply attend the Closing Ceremonies - they are extremely brief - which end with more LEGO prizes. Names are drawn from a hat.

Combo-Build AFOL 1

See Combo-Build TFOL 1 for details.

Combo-Build AFOL 2

See Combo-Build TFOL 1 for details.

Combo-Build TFOL 1

Each player is given the same 2 sets to start. Each player combines the sets to build an entirely original creation. The MOC deemed the most unique and creative wins a prize. All players keep their 2 sets :)

Combo-Build TFOL 2

See Combo-Build TFOL 1 for details.

Constructionary KFOL

The LEGO game of charades. A fun game produced by RoseArt in 2003 where players use LEGO parts to create an item listed on a card, and the other players guess what it is.

The rules have been altered a bit to make it more fun for all ages. Instead of moving around the board, you get small LEGO bricks for each correct guess, and you get to keep the bricks! KC has even put together a similar set of Duplo.

Children playing in this KFOL game must be accompanied by an adult.

Constructionary T/AFOL

See Constructionary KFOL for details.

Cutthroat Builder

Based on Cutthroat Kitchen, players are given a pile of LEGO brick and challenged to build a MOC (to a surprise theme) in 10-15 minutes.  Players have play-cash to bid on various handicaps to sabotage the other players each round.  After each round a player is eliminated until 1 winner remains standing.

Audience Participation: The audience (your fellow AFOLs) may bid - with real money - on other handicaps for players mid-round.  Funds raised support our charity!

Dirty Brickster $10-$15

No need to sign up; simply show up at the designated time and place with a wrapped gift in hand.  Any number of people can play!

Dirty Brickster will be played twice.  One session is valued $10 to $15.  The second game is $20 to $30.  Please choose the session which best matches the value of prize you have prepared.

How To Play:

Dirty Brickster is better known (in the USA) as "White Elephant Gift Exchange," "Yankee Swap," or "Dirty Santa."  Players each contribute one gift to the game, and ultimately each player walks away with one different gift of similar value.

1. All gifts should be valued the same.  Use your imagination to make it fun.  Out-of-production sets or some classic parts from your own collection are far more interesting that something off the Toys R Us shelf yesterday.  But please make it worth the appropriate amount!
2. Players bring their gifts wrapped or sealed in a gift bag, careful to conceal the contents.
3. Players gather in a circle and gifts are placed in the center.
4. Names are drawn to see who picks first.
5. The picked player chooses a gift from the pile and opens it, holds it up for all to see, and keeps it (for the time being).
6. Another name is drawn.
7. The next player can either choose to take an unopened gift from the pile or to steal a gift from any previous gift-holder.
8. If someone's gift is stolen, that person can immediately unwrap a new gift or steal another gift.
9. Any gift stolen 3 times becomes "dead."  It now belongs to that owner and may not be stolen again.

Dirty Brickster $20-$30

See description of Dirty Brickster $10-$15.

Dirty Buildster AFOL 1

Players are provided with random baggies of bricks. When the host says, "Go," players start building!

Players have limited time to build the most creative MOC they can muster. The objective is to be more creative than your competition and you must do it with your limited bricks and limited time.

• Baggies of bricks are provided for you.
• Baggies are the luck of the draw. You may find your bricks difficult to work with, but we'll try to keep all bags equal and fair.
• You are not required to use every brick in the bag -- simply be as creative as you can with what you have.
• The final MOCs are judged.
• Only one winner (between the two games) gets a special Dirty Buildster Brickee and a LEGO set. But every player gets to keep their baggie of bricks!

Dirty Buildster AFOL 2

See Dirty Buildster AFOL 1 for details.

Dirty Buildster AFOL 3

See Dirty Buildster AFOL 1 for details (but be prepared for Adult Swim caveats).

Sign-up is not required, but seating is limited.  If interested in playing, and not too inebriated from earlier games, see the game host at the game location - arrive early.

Dirty Buildster KFOL

See Dirty Buildster AFOL 1 for details.

Dirty Buildster TFOL

See Dirty Buildster AFOL 1 for details.

Early Draft

This special early check-in game is mathematically similar to the $15 Draft, but the sets remain a mystery until game time.  Early Draft is hosted early the first day.  We'll call upon 36+ players from among the walk-ups.  Check-in promptly on the first day, Wednesday, to join in this very special game.

(NEW DATA COMING SOON) NEW  Fine Print: Only one person per family may participate in Early Draft.  We wanna spread the fun and let others play.

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens is the same as Russian Roulette - if it were a card game with kittens.

Players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten card, at which point they are out - unless they have Defuse cards to save themselves. Or other cards to avoid, mitigate, or move their chances of drawing an Exploding Kittens card. Rules will be explained in ~3 minutes and then the game begins.

First-Timer Dirty Buildster

This game for BrickFair first-timers only.  You know who you are.

Get a free cup of new, clean LEGO parts, build the most creative MOC you can.  Judges pick one MOC which earns a small prize, and all players keep their cup of LEGO parts!  Everyone's a winner!

First-Timer Draft

This game for BrickFair first-timers only.  You know who you are.

Buy-In: $10

BrickFair supplies the sets, players pay $10 entry and will receive 200+ pieces (average) each.  Everyone playing is a newcomer to our show!  So no pressure!

Bring $10 with you to the game.  There will likely be no-shows for this game; so even if not selected to play, you may like to show up and watch, and possibly get to play anyway.

Fluxx

A game where the rules change, and so does the goal for winning!  A fun loosey-goosey game with, as always, a LEGO prize for the winner.

GBC Beginners Workshop 1

This class will introduce the fun of building Great Ball Contraption modules.  The kit costs $31, -$10 Bill Bourn credit, so $21, and is limited to 30 units.  Buying the kit is not required; exhibitors may attend and audit the class.  Of course the kit is required for hands-on learning.

Upon completion each student will have a working GBC module which can be linked together with other students' modules.  Everyone who wishes to participate can include their module in the full GBC display for the public to see all weekend; simply collect your module Sunday evening.

Join us!

UPDATE: The kit instructions and parts list are available for download.  If you weren't selected to play, you can bring your own parts!

The kit cost us $31 to pack; the estate of Bill Bourn sponsors the extra $10 for you.  Bill wanted to keep the GBC thriving, and so do we.  Join us!

GBC Beginners Workshop 2

See GBC Beginners Workshop 1 for details.

Go Fish Tournament 1

This is the classic carnival "gold fish bowl" game. Get your ping pong balls into the bowls, and win some LEGO pieces!

The longer you last in the tournament the more LEGO you win. Open to all ages, all skill levels or no skill, experienced or novice, familiar with the game or not - everyone can win.

Oh, just sign up!

Go Fish Tournament 2

See Go Fish Tournament 1 for details.

Go Fish Tournament 3

See Go Fish Tournament 1 for details.

Great Brickish Build-off TECHNIC-al Challenge

A parody on the name of the Great British Bake-off TV show in which.  Each episode of that show featured a "technical challenge" in which contestants were given identical ingredients and a few vaguely worded instructions, then shown a sample of a completed dessert and asked to replicate it.

Each player receives an identical bag of Technic parts with a picture of the final model, plus a couple helpful close-up views, to guide them through the general order of assembly.  Players are on their own to figure out how to construct the kit.

All players keep their bag of parts :)

Guesstimate

A jar of LEGO pieces is the prize - and the challenge.

Just guess how many pieces are in the jar (or at least be the closest guess) and win the jar. Simple!

Heads Are Gonna Roll KFOL

Sure, you can build with LEGO, but can you balance them?  Try to keep your head in the game while navigating the obstacle course.  The longer you stay in the game, the bigger your prize!  Every player wins something :)

Heads Are Gonna Roll T/AFOL

See Heads Are Gonna Roll KFOL for details.

Hogwarts

More commonly known as "The LEGO Harry Potter game."

We'll be hosting 3 games simultaneously, 4 players per game. The winner of each game receives a LEGO prize :)

Hold'em

This is your standard Texas Hold'em poker tournament, played with LEGO cards and top 5 placers take home a LEGO prize.

Poker knowledge required, obviously.

Impaired Build

Each player is given a set consisting of ~300 pieces.  Players race to completion.  The first to correctly build his kit wins a prize, and everyone keeps their playing kit!

Requires consumption of mass quantities.  Players may bring their own - the host will adjust shots accordingly.

Logo Master Build

Help us and our guest Master Builder Dan to erect a large brick-built version of our BrickFair logo which will remain on display all weekend for public photo ops!

Magic: The Gathering

Join us for a casual session of Magic: The Gathering. Meet other enthusiasts of the game! This is a relaxed event, so if you are able to, bring a few decks - some for playing against experienced players and some better matched for a beginner player. Be there at the start-time and be ready to do battle.

Required: some experience with MTG. Required: your own dice (or a way to count your life total). Required: your own deck (more decks = more fun). Of course, you may bring other supplies you wish! There are no prizes for this game; this will be a casual event.

MINDSTORMS: Sumo (Stock)

The classic game of MINDSTORMS Sumo. Players bring their computerized LEGO robots to compete and push each other out of the ring. This is a great game to watch!

This is the stock-build version of SUMO (see the rules for the differences between Stock and Unlimited).

Held during public hours so the public can cheer you on!

MINDSTORMS: Sumo (Unlimited)

See Stock SUMO for description

This is the unlimited-build version of SUMO (see the rules for the differences between Stock and Unlimited).

MINDSTORMS: Trash Wars

Trash Wars is a face-off between two robots with messy rooms.  Rather than clean up their rooms properly, the robots have each decided to toss their trash over the wall into their opponent's room!  This classic contest returns after last being run by Steve Hassenplug at BrickFair 2008.

Here's the rules.

Held during public hours so the public can cheer you on!

MINDSTORMS: Tug-of-War

Tug-of-War is a contest that tests the strength of your robot or Technic vehicle.  Much like the human version of the game, two robots compete to see which of them can pull the other one across the center of the table.

Here's the Rules.

Held during public hours so the public can cheer you on!

Minifig Swap

Bring in your unwanted or less-than-loved minifigs to trade with others!  Before the Yard Sales, this one hour exchange is a great opportunity to mix up your minifig collection.

Bring all the minifigs you wish; you never know what others might want!

Cash is discouraged.  This is intended as a swap and trade event.  But we understand cash can make for more even trades.  Volunteers will be around, overlooking, to help ensure (but not guarantee) that less knowledgeable FOLs are aware of the value of their figs.  We're all here to have fun; let's all play nice, please.

Missing Part Build

We swap a part from your set with your competition. You must find and steal back that part in order to complete your build and win your game!

As always, players keep the sets they play with, and the winner gets a LEGO prize to boot!

Munchkin

Experience with the game of Munchkin suggested.  We'll play 3 game, of 5-players each, simultaneously.

"Kill the Monsters, Steal the Treasure, Stab Your Buddy!" - - Such is the motto of the Munchkin card game, a mix of role play and genre references rolled up in a wacky card game.

Experienced players please contact the about leading one of three games - Munchkin, Star Munchkin, and Munchkin Apocalypse!

Oh Yeah, I Knew That

A game show of questions and riddles.  Get the answer right and win a prize.  The questions are not LEGO-centric - but the prizes are!

One-Arm Build TFOL

Every player receives the same set, everybody has one arm tied behind their back, GO!

Opening Door Prizes

Simply attend the Opening Ceremonies which end with some awesome prizes! Names are drawn from a hat.

The Opening Ceremonies is also where first-timers to BrickFair can learn some basics of what to expect during the weekend.

Parts Draft 1

To participate, bring LEGO set (NEW DATA COMING SOON) #41597 Go Brick Me with you to the game.

All participants bring the same LEGO set to the event. All sets are opened and parts grouped together - all Red 2x2 Bricks grouped together, all Blue 1x6 Plates piled together, etc.  Players take turns drawing lots until all parts are taken.  Everyone's a winner!  Everyone leaves with about the same number of parts as they started, but with deeper quantities and less variety of parts.

Arrive on time for this game!  It is very difficult to add in late arrivals to Parts Drafts!

(the game host will have a few sets on-hand to sell for any walk-ups interested in filling empty seats)

Parts Draft 2

See the Parts Draft 1 for details.

but...

Bring LEGO set(NEW DATA COMING SOON) #75208 Yoda's Hut with you to the game.

(the game host will have a few sets on-hand to sell for any walk-ups interested in filling empty seats)

Pass The Brick

Build the best MOC you can with the parts provided.  But don't get too attached; anything can happen during the frenzy of building!

Final creations are judged and a winner gets a LEGO prize.  All players keep their MOCs and parts!

Puerto Rico

The classic board game of Puerto Rico.  Knowledge of game play is required.

Riddle

Inside your program guide you will find a Word Search game with a riddle. Find all the hidden words, discover the hidden message, and solve the riddle for a LEGO prize! All exhibitors are welcome to solve the riddle after checking-in.

First place prize is awesome! Runner-up prizes (limited quantity) are tiny and sad :\

RoboHockey

Bring a robot for some 2-on-2 RoboHockey competition.  Robots are operated by remote control, not autonomously.

(EV3 bricks are easily controlled with an app or the remote included in the home set, NXT bricks are trickier but not impossible.  PF and RC controllers also allowed.)

Robots score goals by delivering pucks (i.e. this) to the opponent’s goal.

Robot soccer players should be no larger than 12”x12” (existing SUMO bots are welcome).  Robots may move and control the puck in any way you choose, including attachments that grab the puck.  Robots may defend the goal by any method, including pushing other robots out of the way.

See the complete rules (updated June 26, 2018).

The host will bring extra hockeybots for kids new to Mindstorms who want to try them out.

Saran Wrap Ball

It's called Saran Wrap Ball and it's just that... a massive ball of Saran Wrap with a ton of goodies layered throughout.

Each player takes a turn unwrapping the ball, revealing LEGO prizes within. Unwrap fast!  As soon as the player to your right rolls doubles, your turn is over and you pass the ball!

When the ball is completely unraveled, the game is over.  Everyone keeps the prizes they collected :)

Seed Part Showdown 1

"One "seed" part is chosen - and kept secret until the beginning of the game.

Each player grabs a spot in the Stay & Play area and is given a baggie of the seed parts. Players have 30 minutes to build MOCs (as many as they wish) featuring the seed element.

Judges determine the winner, who receives a prize, and all participants take home some of the seed part!

Seed Part Showdown 2

See Seed Part Showdown 1 for details.

Settlers Of Catan

Experience with Settlers is required.

We've modify the rules to speed up the game, so hopefully it can be played inside ninety minutes:

1. No desert. The robber starts off-board.
2. No 2s and no 12s. They will be replaced with duplicates of other numbers. Anyone rolls a 2 or 12 simply re-rolls.

And of course the winner gets a LEGO prize!

Skyscraper AFOL

Each player gets the same assortment of LEGO pieces and needs to build the tallest tower possible.  The tallest unsupported building standing when the game ends is the winner!

This game requires smarts and deft building skills.  All players keep their LEGO bricks :)

Skyscraper TFOL

See Skyscraper AFOL description.

Small World

Knowledge of Small World is required.  The winner gets a LEGO prize, courtesy of The LEGO Group :)

Technic Draft

Similar to the Parts Draft, but you don't have to purchase a LEGO set in advance.

BrickFair provides Technic LEGO sets. Participants show up at game time and buy in for $14. Thirty players x $14 = $420 raised for the $500 value sets provided. BrickFair chips in the other $80.  If fewer than 30 participate, players may buy in for multiple shares and thus take home more pieces.

Tiger Plastics Open

See you on the green!

Tractor Time Build

Each player gets 6 digs in the Tractor Time machine and then uses those pieces to build something.  The first 30 minutes are spent digging in the Tractor Time machine and seeing what parts people get.  The second half hour is spent building something.  Best MOC wins.

Ben Spector and Kim Petty have been playing this on their own for 3 years, and Kim thinks it's time to share the fun :)

Train Timesaver Switching Puzzle Challenge

In keeping with the PUZZLE theme, a Timesaver Freight Car Switching Competition will take place at BrickFair VA 2018.  Players will compete to see who can move five freight cars to their destinations on the classic Timesaver switching puzzle in the shortest amount of time.  The player with the fastest time will win a LEGO set!

RULES:

1. Players may bring their own locomotives, or a use a provided locomotive.  The layout will use 9V tracks.  Player-owned locomotives MUST be shorter than 32 studs (two straight track sections) due to the space constraints set forth by the standards of the switching puzzle.
2. All car movements must be performed by the locomotive, player may only use their hands to uncouple cars and operate the controller.
3. The stopwatch will run constantly until the last freight car is placed; any derailments or damage to rolling stock that requires immediate repairs will not stop the clock!

View the setup.

Vignette Swap

Like Dirty Brickster (Secret Santa/White Elephant) but the vignettes are openly viewable.

Build a vignette (that you're willing to surrender) and bring it!  All vignettes are displayed together during the weekend.  At game time, vignettes are swapped, and a few bonus prizes awarded.  Sunday evening, after the public leaves, the vignettes are collected by their new owners to keep!

Players are provided (at the event) a display cube and black "base" plates (using the black plates is optional).  Limit one entry per person per game - enter only your best!

Wacky Racers AFOL

Two ramps (or maybe just one) with two players and their non-motorized LEGO cars. Race the cars down the ramp. The one that goes the longest (or crashes in the most fun way) wins a small prize.

No limit on the number of players - all can play!

Wacky Racers TFOL

Two ramps (or maybe just one) with two players and their non-motorized LEGO cars. Race the cars down the ramp. The one that goes the longest (or crashes in the most fun way) wins a small prize.

No limit on the number of players - all can play!

Yard Sale Saturday

See Yard Sale Thursday for details.

Yard Sale Thursday

This 2-hour event is your chance to sell your leftover LEGO items without being a vendor. Outside the vendor area, this is the only time registrants are invited to openly advertise items for sale (the MOC area is a no-sale-sign zone). Pre-price your items, find a spot in the Yard Sale area, and collect some quick cash for your unwanted LEGO pieces!

Online signup is not necessary, but to participate please (NEW DATA COMING SOON) sign up at the event on the (NEW DATA COMING SOON) paper sign-up sheets.

Signing up does not guarantee a seat; it merely indicates your interest in playing the game.  How it works.