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Brick-building competition at the Franklin Park Conservatory
//sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. mpetition-at-the-franklin-park-conservatory.html
Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, July 29th 2025 at 0:04 GMT by WCMH🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - A first-ever building block competition is underway at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Now through Sept. 7, visitors can see the winning displays at the Conservatory on East Broad Street, engineering, imagination and nature are coming to life in the competition. Participants entered the contest in one of three categories: Conservatory staff [ ]
Annual Brick-Building Extravaganza Lights Up Franklin Park: Creativity and Community Take Center Stage
FRANKLIN PARK, IL – In the heart of suburban Chicago, where community spirit runs as deep as the roots of the old oak trees lining its streets, Franklin Park transformed into a vibrant hub of imagination and ingenuity this past weekend. The occasion? The 15th Annual Brick-Building Competition, an event that has grown from a modest backyard gathering into a full-fledged festival celebrating the art of construction with colorful plastic bricks. Hosted at the Franklin Park Community Center, the competition drew over 500 participants and spectators, turning the usually quiet venue into a buzzing arena of clicking bricks and excited chatter.
The event, organized by the Franklin Park Recreation Department in partnership with local toy enthusiasts and the national LEGO fan club, kicked off bright and early on Saturday morning. Participants ranged from wide-eyed kindergarteners clutching their first sets of bricks to seasoned adults who have been honing their building skills for decades. The competition's theme this year, "Building Tomorrow's World," encouraged builders to envision futuristic cities, sustainable environments, and innovative inventions, all constructed from interlocking bricks. Categories included Junior Builders (ages 5-12), Teen Innovators (13-18), Adult Architects, and a special Family Team division, ensuring that everyone from novices to experts had a place to shine.
At the center of the action was the main exhibition hall, where long tables were laden with thousands of bricks in every color imaginable. The air was filled with the distinctive sound of pieces snapping together, interspersed with gasps of delight and occasional groans when a precarious tower teetered on the brink of collapse. Judges, a panel of local artists, engineers, and even a representative from the LEGO Group, roamed the aisles, clipboards in hand, evaluating entries based on creativity, structural integrity, thematic relevance, and overall presentation.
One standout participant was 10-year-old Mia Gonzalez, a local elementary school student who wowed the crowd with her model of a solar-powered eco-city. Complete with wind turbines made from translucent bricks and tiny electric cars zipping along brick-laid roads, Mia's creation earned her first place in the Junior Builders category. "I wanted to show how we can build a better world without hurting the planet," Mia explained, her eyes sparkling with pride as she adjusted a miniature tree on her display. Her parents, beaming nearby, shared that the family had spent weeks preparing, turning their living room into a makeshift workshop. Mia's win came with a trophy, a gift card to a local toy store, and perhaps most excitingly, a chance to have her design featured in an upcoming community newsletter.
Not far from Mia's table, the Teen Innovators category showcased some truly ambitious projects. High school junior Alex Rivera presented a functioning robotic arm built entirely from bricks and basic electronics. Drawing inspiration from real-world robotics, Alex incorporated motorized elements to demonstrate how the arm could "pick up" small objects. "I've always been fascinated by engineering," Alex said during a brief interview. "This competition lets me experiment without needing a fancy lab. It's all about problem-solving with what you have." Judges praised the entry for its technical prowess, awarding it top honors and sparking discussions about potential scholarships for STEM programs.
The Adult Architects division brought a level of sophistication that elevated the event to an art form. Competitors here often drew from architectural history, reimagining famous landmarks or creating original designs that pushed the boundaries of brick-based construction. Veteran builder Sarah Thompson, a 45-year-old architect by profession, unveiled a stunning replica of Chicago's Willis Tower, scaled down but meticulously detailed with over 5,000 bricks. "Brick building is like therapy for me," Sarah shared. "In my day job, I design real buildings, but here I get to play without constraints. It's a reminder that creativity doesn't have an age limit." Her entry, which included LED lights to simulate the tower's nighttime glow, clinched the adult category prize, earning her a custom plaque and bragging rights among her peers.
The Family Team division added a heartwarming touch, with groups collaborating on massive builds that often told personal stories. The Johnson family, consisting of parents Mark and Lisa and their three children, constructed a sprawling "Family Adventure Park" complete with roller coasters, picnic areas, and even a brick-built lake. "We wanted something that represented our family vacations," Mark explained. "Building together strengthened our bond – there were arguments over brick colors, but we laughed through it all." Their collaborative effort won the category, highlighting the event's emphasis on togetherness.
Beyond the competitions, the event featured workshops and interactive sessions to engage attendees. A "Brick Basics" class taught newcomers the fundamentals of stable construction, while advanced seminars delved into techniques like mosaic patterning and kinetic sculptures. Guest speakers, including a LEGO master builder from Denmark, shared insights into the global phenomenon of brick building, noting how it fosters skills in spatial reasoning, patience, and innovation. "These events are more than just fun," the speaker remarked. "They're incubators for future inventors and artists."
Community impact was a recurring theme throughout the weekend. Proceeds from entry fees and concessions benefited the Franklin Park Youth Development Fund, which provides after-school programs for underprivileged children. Local businesses sponsored the event, donating bricks and prizes, while volunteers from nearby schools helped with setup and judging. Mayor Barbara Pederson made an appearance, praising the competition for "bringing our town together in a celebration of creativity." She announced plans to expand next year's event, potentially including a virtual component for remote participants.
As the sun set on Sunday, the awards ceremony capped off the festivities. Winners paraded their creations before an applauding crowd, and even non-winners left with smiles, clutching participation ribbons and bags of bricks. For many, the real prize was the experience itself – a chance to unplug from digital screens and connect through hands-on creation.
The Franklin Park Brick-Building Competition has come a long way since its inception in 2008, when a group of parents organized a small playdate for LEGO enthusiasts. What started with two dozen kids has ballooned into a regional draw, attracting visitors from neighboring states. Organizers credit its success to the universal appeal of bricks: they're accessible, versatile, and endlessly entertaining. "Anyone can build," said event coordinator Emily Chen. "You don't need expensive tools or formal training. Just imagination."
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for the 16th edition. Suggestions from this year's feedback include adding a sustainability challenge, where builders use recycled materials alongside bricks, and incorporating augmented reality elements to bring creations to life digitally. There's talk of partnering with schools to integrate brick-building into curricula, emphasizing its educational value in STEM fields.
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, events like this remind us of the simple joy of creation. Franklin Park's competition isn't just about stacking bricks; it's about stacking dreams, one piece at a time. As participants packed up their models and headed home, the sense of accomplishment lingered, a testament to the enduring power of play. Whether you're a child dreaming of castles or an adult engineering utopias, the bricks of Franklin Park prove that building blocks can indeed build communities.
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Read the Full WCMH Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/brick-building-competition-franklin-park-003000992.html ]
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