YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown will have its first Lego convention when the Youngstown Brick Convention comes to the Metroplex Expo Center on Belmont Avenue in Liberty on Aug. 15-16.
Professional Lego artists from across the United States will attend the event to show off their creations and meet fans. There will also be meet-and-greet sessions with Lego celebrities.
Attendees will be able to get creative in the Construction Zone, with thousands of bricks available. There will also be live builds to watch and engage with.
Galleries will be set up with life-size and extraordinary Lego models on display.
Other attractions will include:
- Retail shopping: Guests can purchase Lego merchandise, including retired, new and hard-to-find sets, from multiple retailers.
- Star Wars zone: Creations from the Star Wars universe.
- Castle Build zone: Build a medieval Lego creation.
- Fan zone: Creations built by local builders.
Tickets are $14.99 and available in advance HERE.
The event will financially support Creations for Charity, with a portion of the proceeds going to the all-volunteer nonprofit organization. Creations for Charity is an organization that buys new Lego sets for underprivileged children around the world during the holidays.
Autism Society Awards Gifts to Families
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley presented its annual holiday mini-grant celebration Dec. 12 at Stacey Pavilion in Austintown Township Park. This year, 34 families with children and young adults ages 2 to 29 living in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties received holiday mini-grants. The funding supports individuals with an autism diagnosis by providing items that assist with sensory, educational, fitness and social needs. Items include sensory equipment such as swings and lamps, as well as tablets, strollers and wagons.
The event was made possible by the Mike Hull Memorial Poker Run for Autism.
The program was founded and organized by Melissa Kalaman, who personally shops for each gift.
For information about ASMV programs or to apply for future mini-grants, click HERE.
Christmas with the Community Event
WARREN, Ohio – Ongoing Neighborhood Empowerment (O.N.E.) will present Christmas with the Community from 1-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at 375 N. Park Ave.
Now in its fifth year, the event brings families together for an afternoon of joy and connection, with a free meal, pictures with Santa, a toy giveaway, cookie decorating, raffles, games, music and more.
Admission is free.
The event grows each year through the generosity of its sponsors.
“We created Christmas with the Community to remind families that they are seen, valued and supported,” said Moriah McCorkle, founder and executive director of O.N.E.
Pictured at top: A scene from a past Lego convention.