Get building on International LEGO Day

FAMILIES will have the opportunity to celebrate International LEGO Day with a free event in Hargreaves Mall hosted by the Bendigo LEGO User Group on Saturday 1 February.

One of the most successful toy companies ever, LEGO was founded in 1932 in a small carpenter’s workshop in Sweden, with its name being a shortened version of the Danish words leg godt, which mean ‘play well’.

It now produces around 36 billion bricks each year and sells over 220 million sets annually in more than 130 countries.

Bendigo LEGO User Group president Kara Harris said the building block brand’s enduring popularity stems from the fact it has managed to keep up as times have changed.

“It’s really evolved and there are (constantly) different themes and licensing and new ideas,” she said.

“It’s very, very diverse.

“Star Wars is very popular, Marvel is also creeping up there – they’ve even done Braille bricks.

“It’s a great thing for people of all ages.

“It’s a family activity. For example, I’m into LEGO, my husband’s into LEGO, my stepkids are, my sister-in-law, mother-in-law and my niece.”

Ms Harris said the Bendigo LEGO User Group, which recently celebrated its 10th birthday, has over 100 paid members and meets at McKinnon Hall at the Bendigo Showgrounds on the last Sunday of every month.

“People bring sets along to build. It’s just a nice, casual four hours of building and catching up,” she said.

“It’s all about socialising, working together and learning new techniques from each other.”

International LEGO Day is a good excuse for the group to build LEGO and share the love of it with other locals.

“All participants will get their 16×16 plate and can follow a design or they can do their own design and let their creativity shine,” Ms Harris said.

“Come along, show us your pixel art skills, create your masterpiece and add it to the LEGO wall!”

Celebrate International LEGO day takes place in Hargreaves Mall 11am to 2pm.

Bendigo LEGO User Group membership and contact information is available on its website.