Longing little than a day, in June of 2008, the Câmara Municipal de Tomar and the 0937 Community, with the support of the LEGO® brand, have organized the first TOMARLEGO, which was visited by over than ten thousand people.

    One year later, the success of this initiative promises to be widely overcome with the second edition that will take place between 11 and 14 of June.

    The space will also be wider, passing from the gym of the Municipal Pavilion to the sports field of the Pavilion. Besides the expectation of a big affluence, there are some numbers that need to be taken into account for this increase of the available area, that is now of near 1200 square meters: there has never been in Portugal an exhibit with such large quantity of LEGO parts, which may be around the 2 millions!

    And you only need to take a look to one of  the real LEGO monuments here: one of the biggest gothic cathedrals of the world built in LEGO, only this construction has about 80 thousands parts!

    This event will also be full with fun activities, constests and prizes for the visitors.

    Reasons more than enough to wait for Tomar to become one of the most playfull cities, coveted by children, which continue, half a century later, inloved by the little coloured plastic bricks; but also by adults, whose fascination by this toy led to the creation of the AFOLs communities (Adult Fans of LEGO), has it is the 0937 Community, the biggest of the country, co-organizer of this iniciative.

    The TOMARLEGO will also have the official support of the LEGO brand, the Royal Embassy of Denmark in Portugal and the CP (Portugal Trains).

Come visit us!

For more information click here.

LEGO has released new exclusive set, 10196 Grand Carousel.

Let’s see the official photo (click to enlarge) and read the marketing blurb:

#10196 Grand Carousel
Ages 16+. 3,263 pieces
Available July 1st 2009

It’s a wonderful day for a ride on the merry-go-round! This elegant and beautifully detailed LEGO model isn’t just for show – it really spins and plays music while the horses and swing boats move up and down! Built with intricate, lifelike ornaments and features, the Grand Carousel is a spectacular addition to any LEGO display or carousel collection. Includes 9 minifigures and LEGO Power Functions motor and sound brick. Measures over 12” (30 cm) x 12” (30 cm) x over 12” (30 cm).

Features and Benefits
- Experience the romance of this merry-go-round decorated with brightly colored elements!
- Features 9 minifigures including ride operator!
- The platform rotates clockwise/counter clockwise and the music plays!
- The swing boats and galloping jumper horses move up and down!
- Lots of realistic details including reflective decals on the center pole, ornate ornamentation, fleur de lys, bejeweled horses and profiles of jesters!
- The tent-like top is made of canvas!
- The Grand Carousel measures over 12” (30 cm) x 12” (30 cm) x over 12” (30 cm).

Pricing
United States $ 249.99
United Kingdom £ 166.35
Central Europe € 229.99
Canada $ 349.99

After first look, I have spotted three parts in new colors, available in this set for the first time:

• Green 48×48 baseplate
• Tan beards, used as ornaments (upside down) - can you see them?
• White fabric sails (yay!)

Take a look at few photos of the set published in Brixe63 Flickr photoset:

PS. Apologies to everyone who were sending us links to the unofficial photos of the carousel using “People Talk” feature. We wanted to wait for the premiere.

I do not even try to imagine what these soldiers had for dinner… By pit:

Belgian fan of LEGO Fragty recreated the Brussel’s famous Atomium monument:

Original building is a 103 meters tall model of the unit cell of iron, magnified 165 billion times. I wish it could be built with chrome silver parts…

MrTruck found a great use for cool printed slopes from recent Emerald Night set. He build a classy dark-green hot-rod:/lang_en]

Is there still something unusual that can be built with Lego Technic? An AFOL from Czech Republic, grohl666 proves there sure is - for instance a large model of a fighter fitted with a full set of working ailerons, functional chassis and lights.

The construction, blending Technic panel with Bionicle elements in a well-considered way, is an accurate model of the Russian Su-47 Berkut technology demonstrator fighter. The plane has distinctive forward-swept wings - it should be noted that one of pioneers of this kind of solution was a Polish PWS Z-17 Sęp (Vulture) prototypical fighter developed in the early 1930’s.

Almost one meter long, the grohl’s model contains 5 motors, 3 linear actuators and 7 pneumatic cylinders - all of it to make the the canards, ailerons, rudders and elevons move, the landing gear extend and retract, and the canopy open. If you’re not impressed yet - it can even drive and steer!

Experiments can sometimes result in something pretty surprising. When I began to experiment with halftrack vehicles the result proved to be a surprising limo-truck hybrid, and to some people it resembled a hearse too.

Small as it may seem, this model is filled with mechanisms: among others, a 4-speed manual gearbox and three different types of suspension: inpendent in front and pendular bogies mixed with torsion bars in back. The last type of suspension seemed impossible to recreate with Lego bricks to me, until I remembered the elastic axles from the 8641 Jumping Giant set. The motors and the battery box are located inside the cargo space, exposed so as to appear to be a truck’s load.

Despite being very experimental, the vehicle proved to be unexpectedly manoeuvrable and pleasant to drive, as you can see from the video.

LUGPol’s pit (aka pepik) just finished his fire station diorama. Vintage building:

is used by a vintage Zuk vehicle and it’s brave crew:

Today is Saint Florian day, so let me wish all the best to all firefigters!

Harry44 uses some Bioncle parts to buid this rather scary figure of Ronald McDonald:

Watch out, he can kick your …

Via BioniBlog

Ckaoyu debuts on Brickshelf with this nice pirate ship:

I love the splashing water effect and custom sails.