BayLUG News

As you have likely heard, the recent Bricks By the Bay LEGO Convention in Fremont was a huge success by almost any measure. Organized by Bricks By the Bay, Inc. a non-profit company founded by BayLUG members, the event showcased fabulous LEGO creations by LEGO fans of all ages, and from many places, filling the Ballroom at the Fremont Silicon Valley Marriott Hotel. Also featured were Keynote addresses by LEGO company executives, including Mads Nipper, Executive Vice President of Market & Products from Billund, Denmark!

There were interesting building and planning sessions, contests, prizes and of course lots of talking about LEGO for attendees of the three-day event.

The last day the creations and vendor spaces were open to the public. With more than 2500 visitors attending, braving lines of up to an hour and a half, and the rain. Unfortunately, there we so many guests, some had to be turned away due to facility and departure restrictions. Everyone who entered thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Photos by Karlong Chan.

We are pleased to announce that our (Mark Benz’s and family) remaining LEGO creations, stolen in February, were returned recently. An individual who wishes to remain anonymous purchased them at a San Jose Flea Market. The individual contacted a Bay Area LEGO User Group member by email, who forwarded their information to us.

The stolen LEGO creations were returned at the Fremont Marriot, site of the Bricks By the Bay LEGO Convention last weekend. These last creations returned are primarily custom LEGO Trains, models of the famous California Zephyr and others, as well as many scenery elements. While dirty, they appear to need only minor repairs, though it will take months to rebuild the destroyed SF Landmark buildings recovered last month.

Should anyone have information regarding the LEGO or the stolen pickup truck where the buildings were found, please contact Fremont Police Detective Bill Veteran at 510-790-6900.

We’d like to sincerely thank the many Fans of LEGO around the country who’ve sent condolences, and even replacement parts to us. LEGO as a hobby is truly a community for all ages and backgrounds, with only imagination required.