Home › Forums › All Things LEGO! › Brickfair VA 2024 AUG 3-4
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July 24, 2024 at 5:08 pm #59741TimModerator
https://www.brickfair.com/map/ (you need to log in to the Brickfair website to view)
I just checked the Map and it looks like “good news / less good news”. The good news is that we have an island to ourselves. It may be big enough to have a table or two in the middle as well which would be nice for building, ect. as it definitely looks to me to contain more tables than our island (which we shared) had last year. FYI, I will likely bring a few board/card games in case anyone wants to play (either during public hours as a break from the crowds or during non-public hours).
The “less good news” is that we have been placed in the side hall rather than in the main room, where the vendors were last year. The vendors are now in the back of the main room, basically where we were last year. However, I am saying “less good news” rather than “bad news” because I do see a few positives to our placement this year. First, most of the other groups in the side hall are heavy hitters: WAMALTC, L-Gauge Modular group, I LUG NY (they usually have a really nice town display), and the Castle theme areas. So there will be a lot of attention directed to the side hall. We are (maybe unfortunately) right beside the Floor Mosaic which will attract lots of kids on the weekend. Another positive (at least in my opinion) is that we will now be away from the noise created by the Bingo Area, which can get quite loud during the weekend public hours.
July 26, 2024 at 11:31 am #59764Krista KModeratorQuick question. Does where where located get dark during world of lights? I don’t remember from last year, but then again it was vendors so we probably didn’t wander that way either. I’m adding some lighting and wanted to be sure before I had Will put in all the effort.
July 26, 2024 at 11:42 am #59765Micah BeidemanParticipantIf they are having a number of lugs and people display in there then I can not imagine it wouldn’t get dark.
Exactly what lights they leave on has never been real standard at BFVA, but they will try to have it be dark around all the builds as much as possible.July 26, 2024 at 2:51 pm #59772Benjamin C GoodParticipant>> Quick question. Does where where located get dark during world of lights?
The answer to this, based on my experience, is no, it does not.
If memory serves me correctly, the small room has been all vendors and games for several years, and so I think they closed that room off during WoL, although there were mosaics in there in 2021. But the GBC area – where they did either the first or second glow-in-the-dark-balls ever – was in that room in 2018, and that’s where I spent my time that year. They turned off almost no lights in the room, and it didn’t feel like World of Lights in there at all. Maybe it will be different this year, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Even in the main room, it’s luck of the draw. The lights are in rows, and I don’t remember exactly, but they shut off something like three out of every four rows. So if your build is midway between two rows that are on, it should look pretty good, but if you’re directly under a light, it’s only minimally darker than if all the lights were on.
This has long been a problem, and I’m not sure if it’s the venue, their insurance company, or state or local government forcing BrickFair to keep some of the lights on. Todd would turn them all off if he could, so he’s not the issue. I remember needing a flashlight at the first couple of WoL’s in Chantilly, BrickFair New England was pitch black, and Fredericksburg was also completely dark except at one end (which happened to be right over the GBC area) where they weren’t allowed to turn off any of the lights.
July 26, 2024 at 4:51 pm #59773Krista KModeratorGood to know! Thanks all.
July 26, 2024 at 5:17 pm #59774Benjamin C GoodParticipant>> Good to know! Thanks all.
I was at least able to refrain from going on a big tirade about increasing amounts of light pollution at various WoL’s, which wasn’t actually relevant to your question. I can’t remember if we turned off the lights at Erie last year; I seem to remember that there wasn’t much there that lit up.
I did finally send a message to Todd asking him for clarification on the table cloth situation, and on which tables are definitely ours in the island. He’s always a quick reply, so even if he’s busier than usual as the event approaches, I think it’s most likely that I’ll hear from him today or tomorrow.
July 27, 2024 at 7:31 pm #59789Benjamin C GoodParticipant>> Since we’ve yet to be invoiced for LUGBULK, I’ve decided to pivot a little on what I’m displaying. @bengood921 I should be at about the same size of table space and hopefully it’ll still be just as epic.
@knb112 Do you have anything more precise at this time? I have a preliminary setup – photo attached. I think the angle skews the perspective, cause it looks like I’m using more than half the table width, but I’m not. I measured the far end of the table to my lava perimeter at 49 inches, which means that if I take a one-inch buffer, I’m using exactly half the table. (Ignore the stuff to the left of the lava perimeter, that won’t be there, and neither will my ziploc bags.)I am not interested in expanding. If you need more width, I can shrink down a little bit. I used 1×8 BLO plates to make the perimeter, but I should have other sizes. I’d say 16 studs is the max before it’s not gonna look good. But we need to decide ahead of time. I can’t slide that building at all (and not just cause it’ll mess up the tablecloth), I have to lift it, and it weighs in the neighborhood of 35 pounds. So once I have it positioned on the table in the hall, I’m not going to move it, and for this display I think it’s gonna work best if it’s centered in the lava. If you don’t need more width, I’m just gonna leave it as it is.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.July 27, 2024 at 7:45 pm #59791Benjamin C GoodParticipant@knb112 I don’t know how well the color is translating here. It’s yellower than bright light orange, but not by much – it’s definitely orange-ish. They also sell the fabric in straight yellow and side by side they’re easy to tell apart. They also sell it in a straight orange, but they didn’t have it in stock in the right size when I was at the store, and also I’m thinking the lava will look better on this one. Anyway, hopefully you’re not having buyer’s remorse from our conversation where I said “Are you okay with an orange table cloth?” and you said “Yeah, sure.”
It’s actually not a tablecloth, it’s just fabric. Presumably they expect that people are going to cut it to size for sewing projects, cause it doesn’t have clean edges – the short sides are rough and already fraying, and the long sides have two rows of little pinprick holes. Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about that now (and I have no sewing skills and no sewing machine), but fortunately, it’s only noticeable if you really look.
They call it “four yard fabric” but it’s actually 44 inches wide. In that photo it’s centered semi-well front to back, so there’ll only be about 7 inches hanging down in front, which is why I plan to put it on top of a black BrickFair tablecloth at the event. It is not centered on the width of the table, it’s pulled way to the right, so when we center it in the convention hall, it should hang down about two feet on each end, but it shouldn’t touch the floor like it is in the photo attached in the previous post.
July 28, 2024 at 9:36 am #59806Benjamin C GoodParticipant@knb112 I’ve been talking to Todd (more on that in the next post). I’d asked for table cloth confirmation, and pointed out that we wanted to make sure we got some because we didn’t last year:
“Tablecloths are distributed by movers to *all* MOC tables and vendor tables. I dunno why your space didn’t have them waiting for you, piled on your tables. Perhaps they missed it, or perhaps someone else grabbed yours. All our black tablecloths are in 4 white linen carts. Two other carts, red/lime, contain red/lime linens. All 6 carts this year will be stowed against the front wall of the main hall where the public enters. In plain sight. Help yourself.”
This sounds good to me and is a change from last year, when the volunteers I talked to only had access to bins that were already empty and didn’t know what to tell me, until I got hooked up with Mark Shoger, who knew about some sort of secret table cloth stash and helped me out.
So it’s your call as to whether or not to bring some as an emergency backup. We shouldn’t need them, although after last year, I am a bit paranoid about it.
July 28, 2024 at 10:13 am #59807Benjamin C GoodParticipant@mitchsbricks @timf @loganc @willmcdine @jrbookworm @knb112 @argonvesher
PLEASE READ:
Big news everybody – I’ve been talking to Todd about exactly which tables are ours in the island. Basically, he had intended to give it all to us, and as best I can piece together, he met our 10-table request by creating a 10-table perimeter, and then filled in with the depth tables (because we need the 2×2) without thinking through that he’d given us 43% more area than we’d asked for (I finally did the recreational math) at a time when it was known that there was a serious shortage of space.
So the good news is, per Todd: “We can rearrange tables however you like within the current footprint. See the Blobs map at http://www.BrickFair.com/file/ shows 15’ aisles, no wiggle room. The decorators are gonna set the tables as currently mapped. We’ll have to rearrange them ourselves.”
And he asked me to submit a sketch. I’m gonna try n come up with something and submit it this afternoon. If you have any suggestions for the layout, the time to do so is NOW. My priorities are giving single depth tables to everybody who wants one – if you want single depth and haven’t specifically said so, now is the time to do so – and eliminating the zig-zag pattern that’s creating the double depth area for Hoth. I think we’re going to have to be less concerned about whether or not our run of tables is continuous, we’ll see. (Sorry Tim, if there’s not a central table already on the map, it means they don’t plan to give us one, and I really don’t see room for one anyway, I think it’s gonna be crowded as is, and there’s also a support column in our area.)
Back when we established our space request, I admittedly asked everybody for their area in terms of 8′ tables, because I remember the days when BrickFairVA was 8′-table-only. (I’m not even sure when they added 6′ tables, so I get an F for paying attention.) If, for whatever reason, you’ve decided you’d be better served by a 6′ table than an 8′ one, once again NOW is the time to tell me.
I made it clear to Todd that we are not asking for additional space, so any sketch I submit will use an area equivalent to ten 8′ tables, or less. Whatever space we don’t use will be given over to Mark Shoger, who is the theme coordinator for MIXED (and given the extreme space shortage, Todd is happy that he’s discovered he has display space that didn’t realize he had). Mark is a BrickFair veteran and helped me out twice last year in his role as volunteer, so I don’t anticipate any problems working with him.
I apologize for once again waiting too long to sort this out (I really expected Todd to say “You have tables X, Y, and Z” and be done with it). Any sketch I submit to Todd and Mark I will post here, but given the shortage of time, I will probably have to make executive decisions, rather than get the full approval of the group. If anybody reads this post this morning, and wants to post a sketch here or email it to me at bengood921@yahoo.com, feel free – just remember that we have to stay in the existing footprint, because Todd has to make the fire marshall happy.
July 28, 2024 at 11:37 am #59809Jonathan WagnerParticipantFor Hoth, the 4, 8 foot tables will house both the Hoth Base MOC (roughly 5’x11′) and Kristin’s Friends Getaway Island at either end, whichever makes sense.
Ideally, having a corner available would be awesome but not 100% necessary. My thinking of how it would be laid out is the bottom right corner area that we see of our layout and moving to the left as attached. The bottom row of the double tables gives us the length needed but adjust as needed.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.July 28, 2024 at 11:41 am #59811Benjamin C GoodParticipantI’ve got a couple sketches almost done, I’m gonna post them here first, and then I’ll wait a bit before sending them off to Todd and Mark. I should be done in the next ten minutes.
July 28, 2024 at 12:13 pm #59813Benjamin C GoodParticipantTwo sketches attached. I really wanted to preserve all the tables, so that we’re not eliminating potential display space for the rest of the event, and I also wanted to make sure that everybody who wants single depth – which is almost all of us – gets it. Those two criteria represented a conflict of interest to the point that, as far as I can tell, they are mutually exclusive.
Version 1 is my preferred layout. In creating it, however, I eliminated two tables (one 8′, one 6′). So I don’t know if Todd will go for it. But since he was originally expecting only us in the island, and presumably wants us to be happy and put our display on the right way, and since we’re still leaving four 6′ tables for Shoger to use, he might. I’m a terrible salesman, but I’ll try to sell it. The arrangement of the names is arbitrary, other than I admittedly gave myself the table I wanted, and we want to keep Logan’s two tables together. So if we go with this one, you guys can trade if you want.
Version 2 is the one that keeps all 16 tables intact. The problem then is who goes on the two tables marked with questions marks. JR, Krista, and Will M have all indicated that they have risers to max out their table depth, which means they’re not suitable for the front table. I can’t be on either one, I need to be able to access both sides of the table to set up. I definitely do *not* want to come up with a version where I give rear tables to LUG members and then have the tables in front of them given over to Shoger, where we have literally no idea what’s going to be put there.
Anyway, if there’s no volunteers for the ??? tables, I could just sit on this version for now, but my gut feeling is that if I’m operating in good faith, I should submit this one to Todd and Mark alongside version 1. Advice welcome on that.Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.July 28, 2024 at 12:38 pm #59816Jonathan WagnerParticipantI like and was thinking of layout 1 more than 2. Think it makes the most sense if it’s good for everyone else, gives us a lil more room.
July 28, 2024 at 1:36 pm #59817Benjamin C GoodParticipantI think I’m gonna go ahead and send version 1, and see if I can get it approved, and just let him know that I have a version 2 to send in a subsequent message if he doesn’t like version 1.
July 28, 2024 at 6:40 pm #59818Krista KModeratorSpend a day in the real world and missed so much! Ben, thanks for pulling that together so last minute. Either one was good for me.
July 29, 2024 at 10:07 am #59828Krista KModeratorDo you have anything more precise at this time? I have a preliminary setup – photo attached. I think the angle skews the perspective, cause it looks like I’m using more than half the table width, but I’m not. I measured the far end of the table to my lava perimeter at 49 inches, which means that if I take a one-inch buffer, I’m using exactly half the table. (Ignore the stuff to the left of the lava perimeter, that won’t be there, and neither will my ziploc bags.)
@bengood921 I’m measuring in at 45 inches so we should be good still splitting the table. Also, I just heard from Mitch and he’s no longer able to attend so we can spread out a little into his space if needed.So it’s your call as to whether or not to bring some as an emergency backup. We shouldn’t need them, although after last year, I am a bit paranoid about it.
If I have the extra space, I’ll bring them just to have. Trying to figure out how to pack a smaller trunk has been a unique challenge. 🤔
July 29, 2024 at 10:29 am #59830Benjamin C GoodParticipant>> I’m measuring in at 45 inches so we should be good still splitting the table.
Sounds good.
>> Also, I just heard from Mitch and he’s no longer able to attend so we can spread out a little into his space if needed.
Mmmm, do we want to do that, do we need to do that? I think it would be better to turn over the table outright to Todd and Mark. I can send them an updated sketch. Not only would that make them happy, it would allow me to add in another 8′ table that I can also give them. I have not heard back from them yet, which is making me nervous. Maybe two more tables would make them more likely to approve it. I would like to send it by noon today.
July 29, 2024 at 10:48 am #59831Benjamin C GoodParticipantIs everything okay with Mitch? I know he was wanted to attend a BrickFair for some time, I’m bummed that he’s not coming.
Here’s table layouts 3.1 and 3.2. In the first one, I have given over Mitch’s table to Shoger, and doubled it up. In the second one, I not included the doubled table.
Opinions welcome. I am not going to send both to Todd and Mark, I will pick one or the other.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.July 29, 2024 at 4:54 pm #59834TimModeratorIf we do end up with enough space in the middle, it would be nice to have an interior table for working on MOCs, eating, playing games, whatever.
July 29, 2024 at 6:24 pm #59836Benjamin C GoodParticipantWHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!! I submitted version 3.2 this afternoon and Mark just approved it. So we’re good to go. It does mean I made executive decision and gave away Mitch’s table. Whoop!
I did not get a reply on whether or not I can get in before noon to help with the table setup – it’s been an option in the past, you just can’t load in your crap before noon because they don’t want us getting in the way, but something in one of Todd’s messages somewhat implied that he hires people to do it now instead of using volunteers. But maybe it’s always been that way, and volunteers are still welcome. If I’m up and dressed, I will head over before noon. Once the tables are up, Control Freak Ben will put Reserved cards on each one, including Shoger’s, after all this I don’t want any screw-ups.
>> If we do end up with enough space in the middle, it would be nice to have an interior table for working on MOCs, eating, playing games, whatever.
I have the whole thing drawn out life size on AutoCAD, and I think it will be crowded, especially cause there’s gonna be a lot of people in our island. I’d rather have the open space.
July 29, 2024 at 7:17 pm #59838Jonathan WagnerParticipantIf 3.2 was what was used, should be room for a small table with adequate space going the same direction as the other tables. We’ll just have to see how it all physically shakes out.
Great job!
July 29, 2024 at 7:46 pm #59839Benjamin C GoodParticipant>> If 3.2 was what was used, should be room for a small table with adequate space going the same direction as the other tables. We’ll just have to see how it all physically shakes out.
It would be 36″ on each side between the central table and the display tables. The ends have significantly more clearance, especially if we opted for 6′ instead of 8′, so that’s not a concern.
Technically, 36″ is enough clearance. But I’ve experienced it many times. When you’re sitting there all day with your build during public hours, people are constantly trying to squeeze by. Maybe it won’t be too bad since our number-of-tables to number-of-entrances ratio is pretty good, and if we use a 6′ table. I’m also not a fan because they have tendency to turn into major eyesores, or at least the GBC ones do.
But I updated the sketch for you (I used an 8′ table), enjoy.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.July 29, 2024 at 8:06 pm #59841Benjamin C GoodParticipantAlso, I should pass this along for anybody who will be there right at noon on Wednesday…
Todd told me that when we arrive, the decorators will have set up the tables the way they are on the map, and that we will have to rearrange them ourselves to match my sketch. (I took this to mean that he’s already submitted the map to an outside agency. But I don’t know, and I still never got a reply from Todd or Mark on whether or not we can show up before noon to help with tables, and at this point our email conversation is over.) So if somebody somehow beats me there, don’t be alarmed if the tables don’t match my sketch, and don’t start setting up until we’ve moved them.
I’ll have to check through the text chain as to who will be there at noon (I’ve mostly been busy doing emergency building and borrowing rovers from Frost). Moving tables with two people is easy, moving them with one, not so much, especially if you are puny and weak like me.
Any decision on a central table will have to be made then (or before). Once the display tables are all in place, and people start setting up on them, it’s too late to make a change.
July 30, 2024 at 3:33 pm #59845Benjamin C GoodParticipantIMPORTANT UPDATE: We have a change in the plan, and I am about to send v4 to Todd.
Even though, based on my experience last year, I didn’t think it was a big deal, and even though Mark already said it looks good, Todd sent me a message that he didn’t like that one table in the one corner that was isolated from the rest of the non-LUG ones. Logistically, I didn’t see any solution to the problem, but I had one idea, so I called Logan, and he agreed to go from two 8′ tables to one 8′ and one 6′, up in the corner. (For the record, I made it clear that at this point he was under zero pressure from me to say yes, and that if he said no, I would accept literally any reason – which he was not obligated to give – including “I could probably do it, but I don’t want to.” But it actually works out for him.) The rest of us at the top are shifted over. The people on the lower half of the map are not affected.
It did also occur to me that although it’s *probably* not a problem, I should ask Todd about the central table. He’s understandably pretty fanatical about the map, and this is one where I’d rather ask permission than forgiveness. So I included in the sketch, and I changed it to a 6′ table.
Please find version 4 attached.
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