Lego building competition set for return to Reston this month

Reston’s now-annual celebration of all things Lego is ready for assembly.

Bricks by the Lake will return to Lake Anne Plaza for a third year on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hosted by Reston Museum and Reston Community Center, the event centers on a Lego-building competition and is timed to nearly coincide with International Lego Day, which arrives annually on Jan. 28 — the day Danish carpenter Godtfred Kirk Christiansen submitted his patent for the original Lego brick.

“We’re excited to host this event just in time to celebrate National LEGO Day on Jan 28th!” Reston Museum Executive Director Alexandra Campbell said. “For those who don’t want to compete we will be offering a lot of fun free activities. In previous years, we have heard how great it is to have a competition focused on creativity and we can’t wait to see what everyone builds!”

While the overall event is free, registration is required to participate in the competition, which comes with a $50 fee that covers 500 bricks for up to four people. A $150 contribution includes a preorder of this year’s limited-edition brick kit — a replica of Lake Anne’s Van Gogh Bridge, designed by local artist Nathan Hagan.

Sponsored by FGM Architects and Reston Art Gallery and Studios, the limited-edition kit can also be purchased from Reston Museum in person and online. The museum is offering a discount for buyers of both this year’s kit and last year’s Lookout Tower kit, which is still available.

All proceeds from the competition, which will take place from noon to 12:45 p.m., support the nonprofit Reston Museum. The winners will be awarded in a ceremony at 1:45 p.m.

In addition to the contest, the 2024 edition of Bricks by the Lake will feature an exhibit of Master Builds by the Charm City Lego Users’ Group, light refreshments, free play at Reston Museum and crafts led by Reston Art Gallery.

Most activities will be held at Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza North) and RCC’s Lake Anne facility (1609-A Washington Plaza N), but other Lake Anne Plaza merchants are involved as well. Chesapeake Chocolates, for instance, will be selling brick-themed sweets.

Outside of Bricks by the Lake and private events, Reston Museum is closed this month so its shop can get a refresh and staff can plan the upcoming year, which will include a new exhibit on the Carter Glass Library set to open on Feb. 1.