Folks of all ages are invited build and show off an original LEGO® creation in the Yellow Brick Challenge, hosted by Greene Bean Coffee and co-sponsored by GreeneCountyNewsOnline as part of the Bell Tower Festival. Creations should incorporate the festival’s theme of “Iowa’s Emerald County: There’s no place like home,” and at least one yellow brick must be visible in the creation.
“Dorothy followed a yellow brick road on her trek to the Emerald City. We thought we’d bring the yellow brick idea to something everyone can have fun with,” said Tori Riley of GreeneCountyNewsOnline.
Greene Bean Coffee’s Reagan Osborne is a LEGO aficionado. She has delighted Greene Bean Coffee customers with her LEGO creations in the past, and she has shared her enthusiasm, and her LEGO bricks, in a Build Night at the shop.
A pre-competition Build Night is slated for Friday, June 6, from 5 to 8 pm at Greene Bean Coffee at 202 N. Wilson in Jefferson. People are welcome to use GBC’s bricks to build a creation for the contest, or to use their own LEGO bricks to build at home. Either way, entries must be at Greene Bean Coffee before noon on Friday, June 13. They will be put out for display, with judging Saturday afternoon. Winners will be posted Saturday at 4 pm.
Entries will be judged in four categories: children ages 12 and younger, teens ages 13-19, adults ages 20 and older, and families. “We’re guessing a lot of parents and older siblings will help younger ones with entries, and that’s great. We’re hoping for a lot of entries in all the categories,” Osborne said.
First, second and third prizes will be awarded in each category. Entries will be judged based on creativity, use of theme, and innovative use of LEGO bricks.
Almost anything that relates to the Bell Tower Festival theme is fair for the contest. Entries must be created entirely of LEGO or other LEGO-compatible plastic bricks, elements or pieces. Entries must be original, not merely a construction from a LEGO-designed kit. Entries must fit in a space no larger than 24 inches by 24 inches and no taller than 4 feet.
Completed entries will remain on display at Greene Bean Coffee through June 21. Participants who build with their own LEGO bricks must pick up their entries before Sunday, June 29, at 4 pm. At that time, any remaining LEGO bricks will be donated to a non-profit organization of the sponsors’ choosing.
Complete contest rules are posted on the Bell Tower Festival website. Click on the Bell Tower Festival ad/link on GreeneCountyNewsOnline.
LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO®Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this contest.
