Brickworld to showcase 800 LEGO exhibitors in Wheeling

Dedicated to all things LEGO, Brickworld 2010 is back this weekend at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling.

Brickworld 2010 has about 800 exhibitors participating in the largest exposition of LEGO-related creations ever assembled and open to public participation.

The show is open to the public Saturday and Sunday, while the first two days are dedicated to seminars on robotics, trains, architecture and art mediums - all involving the LEGO brick, dedicated exhibit time and on-site build competitions for registered attendees.

"Brickworld presents the opportunity for children and adults to engage their imaginations and interact with other participants and their creations," said Bryan Bonahoom, Brickworld executive director.

He said there are thousands of displays in many sizes and themes - trains, castles, space, robotics, architecture, mosaics and more.

On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can explore over four ballrooms of the expo space, interact with over 800 registered attendees and their work, participate in interactive building activities, and even play chess on a life size LEGO robotics controlled chess board.

Debuting at the event this year is "Monster Chess," a life-size all-LEGO chess game run completely by LEGO robotics on a 156-square-foot chess board.

Chess-playing visitors can compete against each other or take a chance playing against a computer.

"Brickworld was created with the attendee in mind, those with an interest in LEGO and those with no knowledge of the 'fan' base the brick has beyond the childhood sets long ago relegated to basements and attics," said Adam Reed Tucker, a Northbrook resident and founder of Brickworld.

"The goal is to continue to bring Brickworld back year after year, each time with something new and in demand for our exhibitors and the public and with surprises featuring just what can be done with an iconic brick."