After an exciting and successful BrickFair Chantilly, NOVA-LUG members reconvened in September to reflect, reset, and look ahead to a packed fall season. With new displays, upcoming events, and long-term planning underway, the meeting balanced celebration with forward momentum.

Post-BrickFair Updates and Upcoming Displays

September marked a transition point as the group shifted from summer events into fall programming:

  • Brickmania Display Rotation: The group is moving into a new cycle of themed displays:

    • Current: Cobra Island (led by Joshua H.)

    • October–December: Townhouse display featuring Trick-or-Treat, parade, and holiday themes

    • January–March: Monster Trucks (with teardown planned ahead of BrickFair Fredericksburg)

    • Spring (TBD): Still open for planning

  • Potomac Mills Cubby: The National Mall display continues, with coordination between Charlie and Oddbahl for future rotations. Brent has also expressed interest in contributing to an upcoming switch.

  • Library Displays and Events:

    • Richard Byrd Library (October 2025): A coordinator is still needed.

    • Burke Centre Library (August Display): Builds were returned during the September meeting.

    • Pohick Library Event: Planning is ongoing, with Tom coordinating details.

  • Claude Moore “Truck or Treat” (October 18): Alison is leading coordination for this fall-themed community event.

Club Business and Member Updates

September is always a key administrative month for NOVA-LUG, and this meeting included several important reminders and updates:

  • 2025 Club T-Shirts: Orders were finalized, coordinated by Brent.

  • 2026 Membership Dues: Now open, with incentives for early renewal—including bonus entries in the end-of-year raffle.

  • Membership Upgrades: This is the final opportunity for Associate members to become Voting members and qualify for raffle eligibility.

  • Key Teams for 2026: Members were encouraged to review and update their participation across club teams.

  • Quartermaster Nomination: John Shue was nominated and seconded, alongside ongoing efforts to organize and inventory club resources like play brick.

BrickFair Chantilly Recap

A major highlight of the meeting was reflecting on BrickFair Chantilly:

  • Members shared lessons learned from layout planning, coordination, and execution.

  • Special recognition was given to Benjamin, Hamilton, and Fiona for earning Brickees, a fantastic achievement.

  • The group also discussed ideas for future presentations and interviews, building on the visibility gained at the event.

Collaboration Updates

With BrickFair behind them, many collaborative projects shifted into refinement or future planning:

  • Tidal Basin / Cherry Blossoms: Discussions focused on future appearances, including Annapolis Brick Universe, and whether to maintain the build long-term.

  • Fantasy Collaboration: Builders reviewed lessons learned and discussed the possibility of a smaller rework for a future Fredericksburg event.

  • Cobra Island: Post-Chantilly feedback was shared to guide improvements and future iterations.

  • Monster Trucks Collaboration: A huge success at BrickFair—organizers Anthony and James thanked all participants. Planning is already underway for incorporating elements into the upcoming Truck or Treat event.

  • “Wicked” Collaboration: The three-team structure remains in place:

    • Microscale Map (Brent)

    • Shiz University (Chelsea C.)

    • Emerald City (Joshua H.) Work continues as this ambitious display evolves.

  • NPS Mosaic and Habitats: Brent and James led discussions around standards and shared resources to support consistent builds across contributors.

Monthly MOC Challenge

September introduces a creative and evolving challenge:

  • September Challenge: Townhouse Trick-or-Treat Build — designed with flexibility in mind, allowing builders to modify their creations for October’s parade theme and November’s holiday focus.

  • August Challenge Voting: Members voted on builds that miniaturized a BrickFair creation, showcasing impressive attention to detail at a smaller scale.

Presentations and Activities

September’s meeting also featured engaging learning opportunities and member activities:

  • GBC (Great Ball Contraption) Presentation: Ralph led a hands-on session on getting started with GBC, covering fundamentals and inspiring members to experiment with motion-based builds.

  • Future Presentation Topics: Ideas included incorporating motion and lighting into builds—members interested in presenting are encouraged to get involved.

  • Walmart Special Draft: A limited-quantity activity organized by MatthewVB added a fun and interactive element to the meeting.

September’s meeting was a perfect blend of reflection and planning—celebrating a successful BrickFair while laying the groundwork for an exciting fall lineup. With seasonal displays, community events, and new creative challenges ahead, NOVA-LUG continues to build momentum in both scale and creativity.