On September 20, 2025, the Samuels Public Library was transformed into a buzzing hub of pop culture for the 10th anniversary of SamiCon. This year’s theme, “A Decade in Motion,” was a perfect fit for the Front Royal LEGO User Group (LUG). We put up a few Lego Movie posters to go along with the theme of “motion”. It was a proud moment for me to see how far we’ve come since I first interviewed about starting this group a few years ago.
Automated Engineering: The GBC
A major highlight of our room was the Great Ball Contraption (GBC). These are collaborative mechanical loops that move small balls from one module to the next. I love taking established standards for these machines and adding my own “flavor,” like the little knight with a flying pig I integrated into my section. It’s that blend of technical precision and personal flair that makes these builds so much fun and deepens this year’s theme of motion, as children would get excited, pointing and saying where the balls would keep moving between each module.
Building Front Royal: The Gazebo and Beyond
One of our most popular displays was a 3D LEGO model of the Front Royal Gazebo. Evan first photographed it, then modeled it in Bricklink Studio. It took weeks to source the exact pieces needed, and then the pieces were assembled. He even managed to include the time capsule in the center! Alongside it was a mosaic I originally built for the Chamber of Commerce on nine baseplates, and on loan to the LUG for the event. It took about three weeks of meticulous work—photographing the real structure, designing it in BrickLink Studio, and sourcing the exact pieces.
Our members also displayed:
- Trail Modules: Collaborative sections that fit together to create a continuous scene, including a tribute to the town’s state designation as the canoe capital of Virginia.
- Custom MOCs: Member Evan showcased his architectural skills, while Patrick displayed impressive “alternate builds” where he took official sets (like the Downtown Diner) and modified them to his own designs.
- Local Landmarks: We are currently working on more Front Royal-specific builds, including a work-in-progress of the iconic C&C’s Frozen Treats.
A Growing Community
During my interview with the Royal Examiner, I reflected on how much the adult LEGO community has blown up. What used to be a niche hobby is now a growing, vibrant community of AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO).
We now meet monthly at the library on the second-to-last Saturday of every month. It was incredibly rewarding to hear library leadership say they had been looking for a group like ours just as we were looking for a home. Seeing the library packed with over 1,400 attendees throughout the day proved that the appetite for creativity in Front Royal is stronger than ever.
Watch the SamiCon Tour
The Royal Examiner wrote an article: Front Royal Comes Alive at SamiCon 2025 – A celebration of Imagination and Community. You can see our full LEGO room and the interview starting at the 13:14 mark in the Royal Examiner’s video coverage:
