The City of Pasadena is hosting its annual LEGO contest this summer, inviting builders of all ages to showcase their creativity using the iconic interlocking bricks. The competition, hosted through the Pasadena Public Library, invites builders to create something on a theme of their choice, with special consideration given to projects that relate to books or Pasadena’s libraries. Submissions will be screened during a community display and formally reviewed during the in-person judging session in August.
“I am always surprised by how thoughtful and articulate and how engaged builders are in their own creations,” says virtual services manager Shauna Redmond, who has been organizing the event for the library for the past two years.
“When they present them, they always do a very nice job. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your work in a room full of people who are very supportive and enthusiastic about the program. It’s mostly your own family members, but we also have people from the community who attend.”
Entries should be submitted electronically using an entry form and accompanied by a photo of the work by Friday, July 18, at 11:59 p.m. Entries must be original and not derived from official kits. Entrants may only enter once, either individually or as part of a group.
“We love seeing all the creativity,” Redmon stated. “Your idea can be very simple. Your idea can be very complex. You don’t need a whole lot of LEGO to do it. You don’t have to spend a whole lot of time. Whatever fantasy you have of the thing you want to see or the kit that you’ve never seen sold in the stores, this is your chance to build it.”
The library has been hosting the contest for all ages since 2017, although it has increasingly drawn more attention from youth.
The contest has four age groups determined by age: adult (18+), teen (13–17), child (6–12) and family. To be eligible for prizes, entrants must be present to show their creations at LEGO Showcase Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Jefferson Branch Library. As the primary satellite location of the Pasadena Central Library during its renovation years, the Jefferson branch is the only space large enough to accommodate the growing number of participants from the previous year’s contest, according to Redmond.
Showcase day will feature participant presentations beginning at noon, with judging and an awards ceremony to follow, concluding by 2 p.m. Winners will be chosen by a panel of LEGO enthusiasts based on originality, presentation, and complexity. There will be one prize winner per entry category. In addition to the judged prizes, one People’s Choice winner will be selected through an online public voting gallery on the Pasadena Public Library website.
DEETS
- 2025 Design Your LEGO contest
- Deadline, end of day Friday, July 18, 2025.
- Entry Form must be filed online.
- LEGO Showcase Day: Saturday, August 2 from 3:00-5:00 p.m., at Jefferson Branch Library.
- For more information visit City of Pasadena Library Website
