BIDDEFORD — LEGO enthusiasts of all ages can show off their creativity and their love for their city at Biddeford Brick by Brick, a LEGO building contest hosted by local community group Heart of Biddeford.

Participants are being asked to create a LEGO replica of a Biddeford landmark or design a model of a landmark they envision in Biddeford’s future.

All LEGO structures must be an original design and not from a kit, and must fit on a 10 by 10 inch base plate and be no more than 1 foot tall.

Participants should plan on setting up their  pre-constructed LEGO models between 4 and 5 p.m. on July 20 at Think Tank, 40 Main St. A panel of judges will select winners in children’s, teens and adult categories. Winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m.

The event coincides with the Biddeford ArtWalk, and the public is welcome to attend and view the creations.

The contest is a way for people to appreciate local architecture and the history of their city while exploring their creativity, said Heart of Biddeford Design Committee member Denise Desrochers.

“I think it’s going to be so great to see the talent that comes out of this,” she said. “It’s going to be so exciting to see what people create.”

The possibilities are endless. According to a press release from the LEGO company, which is headquartered in Billund, Denmark, six 2 by 4 inch LEGO bricks can be combined in more than 915 million ways.

The plastic LEGO bricks with their unique hollow tube design that allows for what the company calls “clutch power” when building, was designed 61 years ago, according to LEGO officials.

“LEGO play is powered by imagination and curiosity, and the LEGO brick is at the very heart of it – putting the bricks together and taking them apart over and over, with imagination as your only limit. This helps young minds to stay open, keep exploring and develop skills essential for the 21st century, such as creativity, collaboration and problem solving,” said Julia Goldin, chief marketing officer, the LEGO Group, in a prepared statement.

LEGO’s unique design ensures that the plastic blocks made 61 years ago will interlock with those made today, according to LEGO officials.

To participate in Biddeford Brick by Brick, go online to Eventbrite.  There is a limited supply of sponsored LEGO sets available. For more information, email office@heartofbiddeford.org. Registration runs through Friday, July 12.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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