If you missed the first ever official LEGO CON last weekend, or you would like to watch it again, you have a second chance! The two-hour recorded event is available both at the official LEGO CON website and also on LEGO’s YouTube channel. Below, I have included the YouTube video for your convenience, as well as recap of the event from the official press-release.
Emma Perkins, Senior Director at The LEGO Agency, said: “We established LEGO CON as a unique way to bring fans of all ages and interests together for one incredible and inspiring day of LEGO fun! We wanted to connect with LEGO fans in a new way, and seeing the idea, which we first pitched internally ten months ago, now brought to life feels truly incredible. I’m absolutely thrilled to see the engagement from fans who fully emerged themselves in the event, whether it was through voting in a poll, creating a LEGO DOTS design, or connecting with other like-minded fans in the live chats. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for LEGO CON moving forward!”
Hosts Melvin Odoom and Michelle Khare led viewers through the event and were joined by the star-studded cast and dedicated adult LEGO fans from all corners of the world. Attendees were also able to engage with one another and make their voices heard by joining conversations and connecting with other fans who share the same passions.
The livestream kicked off with a session driven by dedicated adult LEGO fans who shared building techniques, tips, and tricks with younger fans as a way to inspire their creativity and encourage them to keep building and having fun.
One of the many highlights of LEGO CON 2021 was the guest appearance of former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino who talked about what it’s like to be a real-life astronaut and let fans in on details behind the NASA Artemis mission. Mike and LEGO Designer George Gilliatt also revealed how NASA and the LEGO design team worked to recreate an actual spacecraft as LEGO sets. Adding to the thrill, they also hinted that more exciting things are yet to come from the collaboration!
For fans of LEGO Technic, the highlight of LEGO CON 2021 was undoubtedly the Ultimate LEGO Technic Driving Challenge race between Volvo Engineer Frida Jönsson and LEGO Designer Samuel Tacchi – set by a team from LEGO Education’s First LEGO League. Fans cheered along as the teams competed for the pride and glory of becoming the first official LEGO CON champions to take home the unique LEGO CON Technic Driving Challenge trophy.
Attendees of LEGO CON 2021 got to experience our official worldwide reveal of the LEGO Star Wars Imperial Light Cruiser, LEGO Star Wars Imperial Armored Marauder, and the LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship building sets. Not only did they get a good look at the products in detail, but they were also treated to a live Q&A with Michael Lee Stockwell, the LEGO Design Manager who oversaw the development of these sets.
Meanwhile, LEGO Harry Potter fans were treated to an epic Speed Building Challenge between LEGO designers before LEGO Design Master Marcos Bessa joined us live on-stage for a sneak-peek at the latest incredible builds inspired by the Wizarding World.
The crowd also watched the world exclusive announcement of the next fan build to be made into an official LEGO Ideas set. At the age of just 16, Hungarian LEGO fan Donát Fehérvári had his mesmerizing, fan favorite Foosball Table selected for production as part of the LEGO Ideas We Love Sports contest review. His work leaves many young builders in awe and inspired to keep building and unlocking their full creative potential!
Although LEGO CON 2021 took place virtually, it still offered attendees the chance to make their mark with LEGO DOTS by contributing to a massive art installation. Brick master and DOTS Creative Lead, Amy Corbett let fans in on some of her favorite design tips as she led the interactive DOTS building session. Using digital LEGO plates, fans created customized designs and patterns, which will be exhibited on the walls of the LEGO House for years to come. The large LEGO mosaic wall will stand as a display of the endless creativity and power of the brick, and what better place to do so than the Home of the Brick? Best of all, there is still time to join in the fun and be part of LEGO history! Fans across the globe can submit their unique designs on LEGO.com/Try-DOTS and become part of the epic display.
LEGO Minecraft fans also got the chance to participate in a Q&A session with Mojang Studios’ Chief Storyteller Lydia Winters, make their voices heard and be part of the design process as they participated in a poll to help determine which character skin will be included in a future LEGO Minecraft caves and cliffs set (to be released in 2022)… Drumroll please!
Many LEGO fans, both kids and adults, often wonder what it’s like to work as a designer making LEGO models, and during the event they got to pull back the curtain and discover a typical day in the life of a designer. LEGO Friends Design Director Fenella Charity, and LEGO Friends Designer Ellen Bowley took fans behind the scenes of the LEGO Headquarters in Billund, Denmark to reveal a typical work day with all of its playful fun. The team also revealed interesting behind-the-scenes details about the design process and how hidden “Easter eggs” sometimes make it into models.
Tim Brooks, Vice President of Environmental Sustainability and Nelleke van der Puil, Vice President of Materials also discussed the latest updates on the LEGO Group’s sustainability journey, especially highlighting the newly announced prototype LEGO brick made from recycled plastic bottles.
Other highlights of LEGO CON 2021 included a special appearance by LEGO VIDIYO musical sensation L.L.A.M.A who inspired an impromptu dance party with his hit single “Shake” featuring three-time GRAMMY winner NE-YO and newcomer Carmen DeLeon, a speed-building competition between LEGO Harry Potter designers, and a closer look at LEGO Luigi, the newest character to join the LEGO Super Mario line-up.
If you missed LEGO CON, you can still view the full show at the official LEGO CON website and also on LEGO’s YouTube channel, which I have included below. You can watch the whole show to see epic sets, special guests, Q&As with LEGO designers, secrets from inside LEGO HQ, and more!
- 00:00 Intro
- 00:49 AFOL Pre-Show
- 22:15 Welcome!
- 25:57 Look at space-themed LEGO sets
- 30:12 Q&A w/ former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino
- 36:20 LEGO DOTS Live Build Check-In 1
- 42:58 LEGO Harry Potter Designers Speed Building Challenge
- 46:38 New LEGO Harry Potter sets w/ LEGO Designer Marcos Bessa
- 50:27 LEGO Masters Best Smashes
- 53:01 LEGO House
- 58:04 LEGO Technic Lamborghini 1:1 Model
- 59:35 LEGO DOTS Live Build Check-In 2
- 1:01:36 LEGO Ideas Typewriter
- 1:02:59 New LEGO Ideas set reveal!
- 1:05:30 LEGO Sustainability
- 1:10:43 LEGO Minecraft w/ Lydia Winters (Mojang Studios) and LEGO Designer Frédéric Roland Andre
- 1:19:47 LEGO DOTS Live Build Check-In 3
- 1:21:09 A Day in the Life of a LEGO Friends Designer
- 1:25:30 Q&A with w/ LEGO Friends Designers Ellen Bowley and Fenella Charity
1:28:39 LEGO Ninjago 10th Anniversary - 1:30:55 LEGO Super Mario
- 1:34:41 LEGO Star Wars New Sets Reveal
- 1:36:19 LEGO Star Wars Q&A w/ LEGO Designer Michael Lee Stockwell
- 1:43:31 LEGO Games: Builders Journey
- 1:46:40 LEGO Technic Volvo 6×6 Articulated Hauler Challenge
- 1:50:22 LEGO DOTS Live Build Check-In 4
- 1:52:21 Show Finale
LEGO CON started at noon for me, so it was perfect timing. I watched the whole event while sorting some bricks. There were a couple of glitches when the show went off line, but other than that, it ran smoothly. As far as the content, my favorite parts were the intro with adult LEGO fans, and the designer interviews. But I encourage you to watch the show yourself and see how you like it. And as always, you are welcome to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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