Hundreds of colourful, creative and astonishingly intricate Lego sculptures are on display this weekend for the Lego Users Group (LUG) Southland Brick Show. 

LUG members have set up their prized Lego designs at the ILT Stadium Southland which opened yesterday and are on show for the public from 10-4 pm again today (November 8).

LUG South secretary Gavin Evans said there were about 52 tables full of Lego models on display which he estimated had a combined value of “several hundreds” of thousands of dollars. 

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“Some are a very irreplaceable collectables,” he said.

The love of building Lego and the sense of community that comes with it was the reason why the LUG members loves to host the events each year, he said.

This year’s event is slightly smaller than previous years due to COVID-19, but Mr Evans said he was really pleased with the number of visitors that had come though already by lunch time yesterday.

The entry is just $2 per person as LUG South wants the event to be accessible to everyone. 

“We’re gathering smiles,” he said.

LUG South member Lance Eder showing off his ‘pre-2000’s Lego display. PHOTO: Lucy Henry

Mr Evans said the popularity of the show and Lego had risen in recent years but said he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.

However, he suspects it has something to do with the rise of “geek culture,” with shows like Lego Masters and The Big Bang Theory, saying how being a ‘nerd’ was now seen as socially acceptable, if not cool.

“I’m not sure if that’s because [Lego enthusiasts] are coming out of the closet now, but I do know that there are more people than there was five to seven years ago.”

LUG South now has around 130 members. 

In previous years, LUG South has used the profits raised from the show to donate to children’s charities, donating around $30,000 over the years to local children’s charities.

LUG South has also donated Lego to Ronald McDonald House so sick children have some fun Lego to play with while attending hospital.

This year they will be doing much of the same, as well as putting a little extra away for an extra special show next year.