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In an interesting turn of events, Brickfair is making a return to PA…. This Time in Oaks, PA at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. For those unaware this is the same Expo center that for a while housed Philly Brickfest. Brickfair to my Knowledge has only been to PA one other time and that was in 2022 when they Did their show in Exton, PA.
The dates for this show are November 8th and 9th for the public days. I am assuming they will follow the typical model of doing Wednesday-Friday as days just for the displayers/vendors.
Now the catch. This is the week before the Ultimate Brick Show comes to visit us. I personally am still on the fence for that reason, I don’t know if I will be able to get the time off for both conventions. Regardless I thought someone might be interested and having a LUG presence is always welcome!
I didn’t see this one coming. Todd specifically told us that he was content doing the two VA events for the foreseeable future, although that was two years ago.
I’m admittedly having trouble generating enthusiasm for this one. It isn’t any closer to us than Fredericksburg. I was at PBF in 2015 and the venue is one of the least charming I’ve been to, and I remember our hotel not being that convenient to the venue. My Lego schedule for 2025 already has plenty on it. I might be tempted if there’s a significant LUG presence at the event, but given its proximity to TUBS, this seems unlikely. Incidentally, the website is showing this one as a four-day event, starting on a Thursday.
I’m intrigued by this, but the timing is really bad especially if it’s a 4-day event. We’ll have to see if there’s room on the calendar.
Bumping this. I just completed my registration and hotel booking for this. Anyone else interested at this point?
Steel City LUG has officially been added to the “Collab” section for this event. I told Todd that it will likely only be a few people. If we get more (which I suspect we will have a better idea of attendance after Chantilly) then I will reach out to Todd for a table lay out. I suspect table space will not be as hot of a commodity at this show so it should be a bit easier.
I noticed tonight that three weeks ago Todd started posting map files for this event:
https://www.brickfair.com/file/
He did say he has no idea what to expect for MOCs for this event – I remember at the first Fredericksburg, he said we were “thin on MOCs” and that we should spread out as much as possible – but I see that Steel City LUG has its own 8-table island (complete with a support column right in the middle of it). But on the registered attendee list, I don’t see any Pittsburgh names I recognize besides Will M.
The registered attendee list is currently at 205, which isn’t bad, but definitely makes it a smaller event, which can be a tough sell with the public. I still don’t want to commit to this one because of TUBS, and the fact that I’m still building for that.
I noticed tonight that three weeks ago Todd started posting map files for this event:
I noticed it, But didnt have time to look too hard at it. Thanks for posting!
I Know Donna and Chuck are going with me. I dont think anyone else has registered though.
but I see that Steel City LUG has its own 8-table island
I just had to go back and double check, I am curious about this as well. I am the only one who has registered MOCs so far for Steel City. I don’t see any for Donna or Chuck anywhere in the listing. I will have to follow up with them and possibly report back to Todd for some corrections.
>> and possibly report back to Todd for some corrections.
I’d say you don’t need to be in a hurry on that. My experience is that version 18 is a low number and that he constantly revises the map. But also, I suspect his thinking is that it’ll be easier for Steel City LUG to give back unused space towards event time than it will be for him to give us more if it turns out we need it. However, it’s also possible that he’s basing it on our presence the last couple years at Chantilly, in which case he might be disappointed. I don’t know if he’s aware of TUBS, or if he’s considering that the close proximity of the two events on the calendar may deter some people from going to Oaks. He’s been a PA resident for some years now though, so he must be aware that Oaks is actually farther from us than Chantilly. Probably not by enough that the distance alone would be a deal breaker, but in this case it means that “located in PA” is not a selling point.
@5stargn @cw142d Todd posted a few days ago urging people to get their MOCs registered for Brickfair Oaks. Just a heads up for you two as I don’t see any of your MOCs yet and it is not reflecting on the LUG table counter. Make sure when you register your MOCs that you are selecting Steel City LUG under the Collab section. If you dont wanna sit by me thats fine too.
Let this also serve as a heads up for those still on the fence about going, things are moving fast and we are in the home stretch. Deadline for early registration is October 23rd. this saves you $30 and ensures you get a brick badge and larger goodie bag. This day is also the last day to sign up for games and parts drafts.
@willmcdine Putting them in now. Bringing Life Truce, the 3 Wookie’s and R2 the Grouch requires ~72″ of space.
Putting them in now. Bringing Life Truce, the 3 Wookie’s and R2 the Grouch requires ~72″ of space.
Wonderful, I will but you down for a 6 foot table. How much space will Donna need? I dont see her registered, is she coming?
@willmcdine Donna said she replied, but I don’t see it. As of now, she isn’t coming Thursday/Friday and is only tentative for the weekend (her getting COVID messed up her work schedule). We’ll talk over dinner about whether I can bring some of her smaller mosaics.
The question for you is: do we need to fill out some space? Logistically, just me bringing both my MOCs and hers will be a bit cumbersome, but I can do it if we need more displays on the LUG tables. Same goes for me—I could also bring a few more of my own builds (T-Rex + Chicken, Adidas Scout Walker).
The question for you is: do we need to fill out some space? Logistically, just me bringing both my MOCs and hers will be a bit cumbersome, but I can do it if we need more displays on the LUG tables.
That is completely your call. I am fine with however large or small of a LUG presence we have. If Donna wants to register you can check her in Thursday when you get there, this way she has a brick badge for all of the festivities on Saturday night and what not but if you don’t want to go through that headache of setting up her stuff too I get it completely. I am perfectly fine to email Todd and say that we need 2 eight foot tables and 1 6 foot table. Let me know what you two decide soon, preferably by weeks end so I can email Todd and update our table layout
@willmcdine I am going to bring 3 of her Mosaics under my name. We’ll decide as we closer when/if she is coming out. I’ll need ~6ft for the Mosaics if that is OK.
Chuck
I am going to bring 3 of her Mosaics under my name. We’ll decide as we closer when/if she is coming out. I’ll need ~6ft for the Mosaics if that is OK.
Chuck
Perfectly fine! I will tell brickfair staff our table needs right now
>> We are offically on the map! Sharing a small island with our Northern Neighbors Buffa-LUG
Have you still been talking to Todd? Are you aware that Steel City LUG is still on the map twice? Is he aware? I know it’s not the final version of the map yet, and I figured he’d fix it eventually, but he recently posted on brickfair-dot-com: “Every table is accounted for. Any new MOCs should squeeze into existing table spaces.” And so my concern is that he’s accidentally overlooking an entire island of tables that could be used.
>> We are offically on the map! Sharing a small island with our Northern Neighbors Buffa-LUG
Have you still been talking to Todd? Are you aware that Steel City LUG is still on the map twice? Is he aware? I know it’s not the final version of the map yet, and I figured he’d fix it eventually, but he recently posted on brickfair-dot-com: “Every table is accounted for. Any new MOCs should squeeze into existing table spaces.” And so my concern is that he’s accidentally overlooking an entire island of tables that could be used.
Funny you mention that, I was just about to make him aware of that. I hadnt signed into the brickfair forum for a few days and didnt notice that before the curation portion had been posted.
Offical Update from the Brickfair Site:
Oct 27th 2025
Jam Packed Show
Exhibitors, we’re now declining nearly all newly registered MOCs. We are packed with MOCs. There may be a wee bit of space open in TOWN & TRAIN. Both exhibitor registrations and public ticket sales are higher than expected. I look forward to BF/Oaks growing into a larger space at GPEC in 2026. See you there next week
Looking at the Brickfair Forum there is a total of 293 AFOL/TFOL/KFOL Registrations and 727 MOCs! This is all fitting in only HALF of the GPEC. I think it is safe to day that Brickfair Oaks is making an impact and has potential to become the next big show
Okay, Now that I am home, Mostly unpacked, and somewhat better rested I can provide an official review of this event.
I can honestly say it was small, but it was an absolute blast! I thoroughly enjoyed this event and I look forward to going back. Todd Expressed that he does want to make Brickfair Oaks a regular event, He has not talked to the venue to confirm anything yet simply because it was too soon, but he said he does want to keep it going, and make it bigger!
The Public crowd was a bit different. Sunday was for sure the busier day which was weird. The rumors going around were that 1. People didn’t want to come the first day until they heard if it was different than Brickfest Live. and 2. People thought Brickfair was simply a rebranded Brickfest Live. Overall I think the show was well received by the public as well. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and there was plenty of fun to be had with a jam packed schedule of both public and private events.
While I don’t want to speak for Donna and Chuck, I think they would also agree the event was worth going to.
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