LEGO KidsFest is coming to Pittsburgh

It's now official, LEGO KidsFest is coming to Pittsburgh at he David L. Lawrence Convention Center on June 17-19, 2011.

http://www.legokidsfest.com/upcoming/PA2011/index.html

While this may sound like great news, there is one major issue. The date chosen is the same weekend as Brickworld in Chicago. I can't express how disappointed I am in the choice of date. Despite all the logistical issues leading up to Hartford I feel all the members of PennLUG who participated genuinely had a wonderful time at the event and have been really looking forward to the opportunity to display at a Kidsfest in Pennsylvania. Even though it's in Pittsburgh and a little farther west than our current membership runs it would still be a wonderful opportunity to represent our wonderful club in our home state. However I'm not planing on being there as I'll be going to Brickworld instead.

While I can't speak for any of the other members who are making plans to attend Brickworld, for me personally I just could not miss going what is one of the greatest AFOL events in the US. It's certainly not an easy decision but to see old friends again, make new ones, be apart of what has become the big event for LEGO train groups, and to just stand among the dizzying array of amazing MOC's built by some of the most talented builders in the country is some thing I don't want to miss.

I've talked to Jim Foulds about this and he's well aware of the date issue. Unfortunately he wasn't given any say in the matter, however he is still looking for AFOL's to come to Kidsfest. I know only a few of us were currently planning on going to Brickworld so there is still a chance PennLUG could have some type of presence at KidsFest in Pittsburgh if any one is interested.

Cale Leiphart
PennLUG

I could do Pittsburgh, as long as we could get a similar deal to last time (hell I'd take just food and hotel to be there).

Also Rodney lives in Pittsburgh. Probably better known as Buster in the Flickrverse, he's a fantastic space builder. It could be his first show!

I plan to go to Brickworld, but we'll have to see what the PennLUG folk end up bringing in terms of layout components. I would be happy to lend anything I don't bring to Chicago for Kidsfest. If anyone would like to try and set up my port, they're more than welcome.

I might be able to do KidsFest, depending on my calendar and compensation offered.

I'm not sure if I would want to do it or not.

Of course any of my buildings are available for use in the layout.

Shuppiluliumas wrote:I plan to go to Brickworld, but we'll have to see what the PennLUG folk end up bringing in terms of layout components. I would be happy to lend anything I don't bring to Chicago for Kidsfest. If anyone would like to try and set up my port, they're more than welcome.

I would rather see your port go to Brickworld actually. I think it's too awesome not to be displayed there at least once. That is of course if your willing to bring it.

Cale

I'll check with Jim about compensation. I'm going to assume it will be similar to last time but I could be wrong. So if you guys are willing to go we will need some one to step up and organize this event. Any volunteers?

Cale

Cale wrote:I'll check with Jim about compensation. I'm going to assume it will be similar to last time but I could be wrong. So if you guys are willing to go we will need some one to step up and organize this event. Any volunteers?

Cale

At this point in time I can go. So will take up the post of organizing this event. If you want to put me in touch with Jim I will talk to him and work on details. Just let me know.

I need to check my schedule, and hopefully by then we will have 2 cars again, but I am interested in Kids Fest Pittsburgh.

I have checked my schedule & I am clear for the Kidsfest dates. Just let me know when you have more details. If I go out we must find time to go to Something Groovy. It is a retro toy store that I am sure Joel will go nuts for.

I've never been to Pittsburgh, let's do it right!

I really WANT to go to Brickworld, as I always love it, but with the school year extened as far as it was because of snow, even though I could get the time off, Trev can not, so I would be forced to leave him here while school is still gong on from Tues night/Wed am on. IF I go to Kidsfest, that is cut down a bit, as I could leave Thurs am after he goes to school. I gotta think ths out real carefully. I would want to carpool with someone to Kidsfest, either in my car or thiers, to save on fuel.

I plan on coming to Kidsfest in Pittsburgh. I am going to take the Megabus from NYC. I'll even tackle setting up Nate's port if he wants me to.

I'm there for sure.

I will be missing this event
however if you need any trains or mod buildings I will gladly lend them
Tony

OK, I will be going to Kidsfest, not BrickWorld. I will be bringing some misc MOCs, and will try to get something kewl to go with my Monorail.. that way we have movement in our section. Moving things are good. I will be going straight to Ohio after Kidsfest for Origins Game Con, so I would NOT be able to bring anyone back, so carpooling won't work. If someone has a really cool MOC that they are willing to send to Kidsfest, that travels well, sets up fairly easily, that they are OK with keeping in my car trunk for an extra week ( The car is parked in a garage at the hotel in Columbus Ohio) I can take it for you.

Well now I find out I have a wedding to go to on the 18th. I guess I'll make it to a convention eventually. I'll be at Brickfair, but I must back out of KidsFest now.

Hey gang

I know I've been quite about all this Kidsfest Pittsburgh stuff. Truth is I didn't really feel I needed to get too involved. You guys seem to have a pretty good handle on whats needed and despite the frustration with not be able to get info from LEGO in a timely manner, a good sound plan to go by. I really appreciate Joel and Mike M. stepping up to lead PennLUG's participation in this one. And a big thank you to Tony and Brian for helping out with the behind the scenes organization. And thank you to every one participating whether it be in person or just sending MOCs.

I know these Kidsfest events are a lot of work and involve some long show hours. But it's great to see PennLUG represented in at tis one in our home state. Even though I'll be at Brickworld part of me still want's to be there with you all in Pittsburgh.

I wish you guys the best of luck for this event and thank you for all your hard work.

Cale

ctbyrne wrote:Well now I find out I have a wedding to go to on the 18th. I guess I'll make it to a convention eventually. I'll be at Brickfair, but I must back out of KidsFest now.

You suck, it had better be your own wedding if your going to miss out on a cool LEGO event.
Seriously though, you should try to get down to WW for a few hours. I'm sure Phil and the others would love some help. They have a neat display being set up. Something I actually wouldn't mind trying to get Phil to do at another event too. It's a cool way to show off individual MOCs.

Have fun at the wedding

Cale wrote:Hey gang

I know I've been quite about all this Kidsfest Pittsburgh stuff. Truth is I didn't really feel I needed to get too involved. You guys seem to have a pretty good handle on whats needed and despite the frustration with not be able to get info from LEGO in a timely manner, a good sound plan to go by. I really appreciate Joel and Mike M. stepping up to lead PennLUG's participation in this one. And a big thank you to Tony and Brian for helping out with the behind the scenes organization. And thank you to every one participating whether it be in person or just sending MOCs.

I know these Kidsfest events are a lot of work and involve some long show hours. But it's great to see PennLUG represented in at tis one in our home state. Even though I'll be at Brickworld part of me still want's to be there with you all in Pittsburgh.

I wish you guys the best of luck for this event and thank you for all your hard work.

Cale

Nice words of encouragement Cale, Thanks

If you are going to Kidsfest, please email me the info on which head and hair ( or hat) you want on your sigfig for the park, and IF you have a good idea what colour pants and/or shirts you will be wearing, those 3 days, let me know that too so I can be sure to have the correct parts with me.

Need 1 blue minifig hand for a blue spaceman that had an "accident".
Thanks

You should give him a hook instead.

Just uploade Kids Fest pics to Flikr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/15387564@N04/5895792296/in/photostream