You can find more information on the tour on the Downtown Raleigh web site.

This event is guaranteed fun for the whole family – and Moms get in free on Mother’s Day!

NCLUG will be represented by several displays, some of which will be fresh for this event and some of which will reprise previous ideas from LEGOPalooza 2010 and BrickFair 2009. Although this isn’t just our event (and we’re all excited about the breadth of this event and how it will appeal to a wider portion of the public), we’re looking forward to anchoring the displays as the regional LUG for the area.

The City layout.

Isabelle with the Minifigs!

Isabelle with her turtle.

My contribution to the City layout.

There are a few more photos on my Flickr site.

While you are there, check out the LEGO entries in the Hobbies and Handicrafts building.  Joe Meno and I judged again this year and I have to say, this was the hardest year to judge.  I also noticed that some of the results may not be quite accurate because a couple of the items I expected to have ribbons on them didn’t.  Not sure why.

Back to the LET, it is set up near gate 9 which is near the north east corner of the fairgrounds.  Here is a link to the map of the fairgrounds.

I have a few pictures I took which I will try and post later but in general, they have four activities set up and you get an ID badge in the shape of a minifig head.  On the back are places for four stickers.  You earn one at each station.  We started with the timed build and had two minutes to build a tractor but part way through the time, the leader changed the build to an animal.  Isabelle built a pretty good turtle.  I tried to build a bear but ended up with little to show for it!  The best animal in our group was a cow.

We next went to the City build where you can build a small building to go into a central city layout.  Isabelle (who really likes turtles) built another turtle and I built a small building which came out pretty good considering the limited element selection.  There are plenty of parts but they are mostly just basic bricks with the odd special element thrown in here and there.  One of my favorite pieces to build buildings out of is the basic 1×4 and I couldn’t find one anywhere!

From there we went the third activity which is little more than an advertisement for LEGO video games and their magazine.  There is a station with Sony PSPs on it where you can play some of the games.

The fourth activity is to find some odd element in the model in the center of the area.  It is a 10’x10’ layout which is pretty neat and they have hidden various things (e.g. I had to find C3PO’s head).  The person running the activity will give you something to find and once you do, you earn your fourth sticker.

There is no prize for getting all of the stickers.  We spent about 45 minutes at the LET and had fun.  It was cold yesterday at the fair but fairly crowded being Saturday.  Looks like the weather will be better this coming week but the LET will be gone by then.  It was funny to see people walking around the fairgrounds with their Minifig tags on!

“Bricktober” Offers LEGO Fans Exclusive Products, Spectacular Savings and Fun Events All Month Long

WAYNE, NJ (October 1, 2009) – Toys“R”Us has partnered with LEGO Systems, Inc. to create “Bricktober,” a month-long event at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com saluting the bricks that countless kids have used to build skyscrapers, planes, trains and more. The fun begins as October transforms into “Bricktober,” when consumers will find a celebration of all LEGO things, highlighted by weekly deals on LEGO products, in-store boutiques, special events and exclusive, collectible LEGO bricks, while supplies last.
 
Among the most iconic toy brands in the world, generations of children have fallen in love with LEGO bricks. Since its creation in 1932, the LEGO brand has become synonymous with quality and value, offering open-ended play that allows kids of all ages to build whatever they can imagine. Today, with LEGO products ranging from $4.99 to $499.99 at Toys“R”Us stores, parents can find items to fit their budget while putting big smiles on the faces of budding builders.
 
“‘Bricktober’ celebrates the influence that LEGO continues to have in building kids’ imaginations and the value that it offers to parents in terms of quality and longevity of play,” said Richard Barry, Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Toys“R”Us, U.S. “With hundreds of sets to choose from, at a wide variety of price points, LEGO products offer affordable fun for the whole family at a wide variety of prices to fit any budget.”
 
“Over the years, millions of children have discovered their very first LEGO construction sets on the shelves of Toys“R”Us stores,” said Søren Torp Laursen, President, LEGO Systems, Inc. “We’re thrilled to partner with Toys“R”Us to bring this month-long ‘Bricktober’ event to LEGO fans – old and new.”
 
Broadest Assortment of LEGO Products, Plus Incredible Values All Month Long
Every week during the month of October, Toys“R”Us stores and Toysrus.com will offer stellar savings on ALL LEGO products. The amazing deals begin with up to 30 percent OFF SELECT LEGO products and with additional specials on more than 230 LEGO construction sets available at Toys“R”Us from Sunday, October 4 through Saturday, October 10, while supplies last. In subsequent weeks, Toys“R”Us stores nationwide will provide additional values, including special offers, gifts with purchase and other deals to LEGO lovers of all ages, while supplies last.
 
In addition to its permanent home in the construction aisle, through “Bricktober” LEGO products will receive a place of honor in dedicated boutiques in every Toys“R”Us store. Filled with visuals that replicate the image a giant LEGO brick, the boutiques will feature the largest assortment of LEGO construction sets available.
 
Toys“R”Us will support the “Bricktober” program, events and LEGO products throughout the month of October with a comprehensive marketing campaign. Beginning October 4, LEGO products will be prominently featured each week on either the front or back cover of the company’s newspaper circulars.
 
Collecting LEGO Bricks Throughout October
Offering LEGO fans the ultimate constructible keepsake, Toys“R”Us and LEGO will also present customers with one complimentary, collectible LEGO brick each week during “Bricktober,” with the purchase of any LEGO product, while supplies last. At the end of the month, LEGO fans who receive all four collectible LEGO bricks can combine them to create a spooky “Bricktober” skeleton direct from the LEGO CASTLE collection.
 
Special “Bricktober” Event Races into Toys“R”Us Stores Nationwide
To bring “Bricktober” to life for young LEGO fans, Toys“R”Us stores across the country will host special racing-themed LEGO “Bricktober” 500 events on Saturday, October 24 from 12 noon – 2 pm. During the event, kids can build and decorate their own complimentary LEGO car and receive an official LEGO “Bricktober” 500 driver’s license, while supplies last. Once the car is constructed, they can race it against other LEGO fans’ creations.
 
Building Upon the Broadest LEGO Assortment Available with Exclusive LEGO Products
Complementing its broad assortment of LEGO products, Toys“R”Us offers dozens of differentiated LEGO products that can’t be found anywhere else. From movie-themed construction sets and buildable cityscapes to LEGO-themed electronics and basic boxes of LEGO bricks, exclusive new LEGO merchandise found at Toys“R”Us stores include:
 
Star Wars Fan’s Choice Anniversary Edition Home One Mon Calamari Star Cruiser
Modeled after scenes from Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, this 789-piece construction set contains enough pieces to build the classic Mon Calamari Star Cruiser’s command deck, briefing room and repair hangar. No batteries required. Ages 9 to 14 years. Featured on the 2009 Toys“R”Us Hot Holiday Toy List, this set also comes with an A-wing fighter and six mini figures.
 
LEGO Brick Boom Box from Digital Blue
Part of a LEGO-themed line of electronic devices for kids, the LEGO Stereo Boom Box looks like a traditional LEGO brick, but is 10 times the size.  Available in pink or blue, this boom box has an AM/FM radio, 1.1-inch LCD display with backlight, MP3 connection capabilities and more.
 
LEGO CITY Cargo Plane
Taking off from LEGO City and heading towards destination imagination, this transport plane is ready to carry cargo anywhere. Kids construct this plane that measures more than 20-inches long from more than 460 pieces to create their own airborne adventures.
 
LEGO Belville Horse Stable
Kids can help build Cecilia and her horse April before getting them ready to compete in an equestrian match with this 209-piece construction set.  After taking April through several jumps, children can trot her over to constructible ceremony steps to award her with first prize.
 
About Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands.  It currently sells merchandise in more than 1,550 stores, including 848 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, and more than 700 international stores in 33 countries, consisting of both licensed and franchised stores. In addition, it sells extraordinary toys in two FAO Schwarz stores in the United States.  With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com, FAO.com and babyuniverse.com, it provides shoppers with an unparalleled online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. In addition, the company operates ePregnancy.com, an online resource for parents.  Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys“R”Us, Inc. employs nearly 70,000 associates worldwide.  The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need.
 
About LEGO Systems, Inc.
LEGO Systems Inc. (LSI) is the Americas division of the LEGO Group, a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark that is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction toys.  The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through high-quality, creatively educational play materials, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen:  "Only the best is good enough."  For more information, visit www.LEGO.com
 
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group.  © 2009 The LEGO Group.