Ready - set - build! In a kind of ‘American Idol’ event for adult LEGO enthusiasts, the new LEGOLAND Discovery Center scheduled to open in Schaumburg next month is holding a Model Builder Search in Chicago on Wednesday, June 4, to select a full-time LEGO builder, instructor and repairman (or woman). The attraction will be the first giant indoor LEGO world outside Germany.
The build-off will run from 10 am to 7 pm at Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown/Lakefront, 511 N. Columbus Drive. More than 75 LEGO fans looking for a way to parlay their passion for the iconic building blocks into a job have registered to compete, with additional applicants expected to show up on the morning of the event.
“For many adults, being able to play with LEGO bricks all day is a dream job, but it’s one that’s only available to a few people in the world,” said Mike Pastor, attraction manager for the new LEGOLAND Discovery Center. “People started applying as soon as we posted the position, and the winner is going to be the envy of everyone there.”
In the first round of the build-off, contenders will have one hour to build anything of their choice from a bucket of LEGO bricks they can select from huge bins filled with LEGO bricks of all colors and configurations. In the final round, 10 to 15 finalists will be assigned a general topic and challenged to create a LEGO model that fits the theme.
Competitors will be evaluated on factors including their creativity, three-dimensional visualization, ability to build complicated LEGO models ranging from miniature to life-sized creations, and ability to lead LEGO building sessions for groups of children.
Judges will include Pastor; Patrick DeMaria, model shop manager for the LEGOLAND California Resort theme park; and Daniel Steininger, master model builder for LEGO Systems Inc. Five Chicago-area children ages 8 to 11 who were appointed to the new center’s Junior Constructor Team in April will serve as junior judges.
Designed for children 2-12, the new LEGOLAND Discovery Center will be located in the Streets of Woodfield adjacent to Woodfield Shopping Center. The two-story, 30,000-square-foot facility will feature a ‘Build & Test’ station for hands-on LEGO play, a LEGO factory tour, and theme park-like attractions such as a dragon ride, adventure trail, and a 4D cinema complete with 3D glasses and 4D atmospheric effects – all using creatures, superheroes and buildings made out of tens of thousands of LEGOs.
Other highlights will include birthday party rooms, a LEGO café, a LEGO store, and a special room with rotating exhibitions of work by master LEGO builders - all intended to provide hours of creativity, entertainment and parent-child interaction centered around LEGO and DUPLO activities.
Contacts:
Molly Antos
847/415-9327
mantos@sspr.com
