When: Thursday, October 13Competitors begin building at 6pmDoors Open to public at 7pmWhere: Whistler MuseumCost: $10 for competitors, $5 donation for partyWant to compete? To register, call the Museum at 604-932-2019; email programs@whistlermuseum.org; or download a competitor registration form.
Everyone played with Lego when they were growing up and let’s face it, when an adult is presented with a pile of these tiny rainbow-coloured blocks, it doesn’t take very long before the “big kid” is sneaking pieces away from the little ones.
The Whistler Museum and Whistler Is Awesome are excited to announce their first ever LEGO building competition for adults. Up to twenty adult competitors will piece together their masterpiece best representing the theme, “Off Season? What off season!?” for the glory of reigning as Whistler’s master builder of this iconic children’s toy.
“Autumn is the perfect time of year for an event like this,” says Alix MacKay, Whistler Museum Manager of Education and Marketing. “All of Whistler’s locals are coming out and reconnecting with their friends and neighbours after a busy summer so throwing some LEGO connecting in there as well seemed like a perfect fit!
Interested adult LEGO competitors need to sign up through the Whistler Museum by Tuesday, October 11 by calling 604-932-2019. Entry to compete is $10 while spectators are welcome to join in the party and cast their votes for the winning submission for a suggested donation of $5.
There will be a cash bar and everyone is welcome to mix, mingle and explore the Whistler Museum. Big thanks to event partners Whistler Blackcomb, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub, Scandinave Spa Whistler, Rocky Mountain Soap Co., Purebread Whistler and Prior Snowboards for donating some great door prizes as well as booty for first, second and third place.
Whoa, kids really do love LEGO. On Saturday the museum hosted it’s 15th annual (!) LEGO-building competition and the response was great to say the least. We knew we were in for a treat when registration filled up days in advance. It was extremely difficult having to turn away so many disappointed parents and children; we easily could have had twice as many participants if we had the space. For anyone who was there, however, it was pretty clear that 50 LEGO-crazed ankle biters was plenty for our little museum.
(For an alternate take on the event, check out this post on the always-awesome whistlerisawesome.com by WIA editor and LEGO-competition judge Michelle Leroux.)
The 5 & under kids building with DUPLO! Photo: Joern Rohde/joernrohde.com
This year’s theme was “Transportation: How Would YOU Get To Whistler?” After a short presentation from Jeff on the history (and future?) of transportation got the contestants sufficiently riled up, buckets and buckets of LEGO were dumped on the tables and the kids exploded into a creative frenzy.
Taking a cue from Jeff’s presentation, many of the designs took an eco-friendly approach. There were several solar-powered vehicles while others ran on wind, coffee beans, even dolphin power!
When Whistler’s youth grow up the commute to Whistler is sure to get faster, safer, greener, and way more fun! Photo: Joern Rohde/joernrohde.com
Besides the designs themselves, we got a kick out of the written descriptions that the kids included with their submissions. They helped sell us on all the cutting-edge and beautiful features included in the wide array of vehicles:
Unmatched in speed, aerodynamics and off-road performance, and with its small design, the Pragtiger 500 is the first commercially available dragster. Perfect for a trip to Whistler. -Tina “Leafy” Dommer
Some were as creative the designs themselves, such as the description for the SS Stanger, which was written in the form of a diary!
LEGO even has the power to overcome sibling rivalry! This brother/sister duo teamed up to maximise their building proficiency. Photo: Joern Rohde/joernrohde.com
When the building stopped a scavenger hunt kept the kids busy while the judges had the difficult task of picking their favourites. Jeff was mobbed one more time when he decided to give out coupons for free gelato scoops to kids with the right answers. Seems simple enough, but it seemed as if not only did every single kid know all the answers, but had each one out and was reaching for a prize before Jeff had even finished reading the question. It was pandemonium.
Somehow Jeff survived and the judges managed to choose their favourites. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all who came out and made our 15th annual LEGO-building competition loads of fun and a huge success. Till next year!
The happy faces of all the winners! Congratulations! Photo: Joern Rohde/joernrohde.com
Thanks so much to all the local businesses who donated prizes, ensuring that Saturday’s inspired designs did not go unrewarded, and that every kid went home with some goodies: Ziptrek, The Core, Whoola Toys, Prior, Armchair Books, Lush, Cows, The Body Shop, Hatley, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Meadow Park, Marketplace IGA, The Grocery Store, Blenz, Purebread, and Fun For Kids Toys and Accessories.
Finally, one other piece of LEGO-related business: For the last few weeks we’ve had a massive jar of LEGO bricks on display at the museum and kids were encouraged to take a stab at the total number of pieces. We had well over 100 guesses, ranging from 100 (probably the highest number some of the contestants could name) to more than 2000, but local boy Callum MacFarlane’s guess of 660 was closest to the actual number of 645. Congratulations Callum! You’ve won a family membership to the Whistler Museum so now you and your family can come check out our exhibits whenever you want!
The description says it all. Photo: Joern Rohde/joernrohde.com
Bookworms, history buffs, collectors, antiquarians and the like, rejoice! The Whistler Museum will be hosting a rare book sale August 27-29th! Check out our poster for more details:
The Whistler Museum loves kids. Our exhibits feature tons of hands-on fun, from interactive natural history displays–where kids can compare real animal skulls, mineral specimens and more–to our official 2010 Olympic torch and uniforms that you’re encouraged to try out (take that you stodgy, old “look but don’t touch” museums). You should see the energy levels (or chaos, some would say) in this place when school groups come in.
As part of our efforts to provide as much kid-specific programming as possible, Every Saturday in July we have been opening up the Museum for family-friendly craft activities.
The fun started off with pioneer potato stamping. Inevitably, the kids’ creative designs ended up on more than just the paper we provided. This might have been Whistler’s first locavore craft activity, as all the spuds were Pemberton-sourced.
This past Saturday we welcomed talented artist, long-time Museum friend, and all-around awesome Whistler local Isobel MacLaurin as she offered a painting class for local and visiting youth. Using watercolours, the kids were taught in Izzy’s trademark landscape and wildlife techniques, creating beautiful mountain vistas and noble bald eagles.
Class was in session. When Izzy’s running the show, ears perk up.
The kids were really receptive to Izzy’s instruction, and it showed in their work. The day ended with everyone feeling confident that the future of Whistler’s arts community was in good hands.
Coming up next… This Saturday the museum welcomes local bear researcher Michael Allen to give an illuminating talk on our furry friends. There will be face painting to help kids get in character, and we will be making bearpaw-print t-shirts that the kids can take home. T-shirts provided, just bring your young ones!
We round off our Family Saturdays on July 30th with a nature walk led by the Whistler Naturalists, where kids can collect the raw materials to inspire and compose their ecological artwork.
Finally, we’re currently gearing up for our annual LEGO-building contest, which we”ll be hosting August 20th. Believe it or not, the event is now in its 15th year! Stay tuned for more details and registration in the coming weeks!
Everyone loves LEGO! (from last year’s competition).
