Lego enthusiasts will get to flex their creativity this month at the first solo expo hosted by Bricks of Plenty.

BoPEx24 is being held at Mercury Baypark Stadium today and tomorrow, June 22-23, and feature exhibitors from around the North Island – including Welcome Bay 14-year-old Emilios Zandi.

The ACG Year 10 student is working to construct a one-metre-high windmill that actually generates electricity.

“Lego is fun and quite addictive,” says Emilios. “I’ve been working on this display piece for a few months and it will be the biggest project I’ve ever built.”

Bricks of Plenty Lego User Group president Jesse Ingham is impressed by Emilios’ technical skills.

“He has a strong eye for detail and precision in all his builds and innovative approaches to the sometimes tricky engineering quandaries Lego can have,” says Jesse. “I always enjoy seeing what he’s built and the various problem-solving techniques he uses.”

Emilios will display alongside exhibitors from Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton as well as Hawke’s Bay Lego Masters NZ finalist Jono Samson.

“I love seeing the creativity shown in Lego,” says Jesse. “Everyone has a different take on how they imagine their Lego creations, and I love seeing them all together in one place.”

Jesse says visitors to the expo will see huge Lego sculptures including a recreation of the city of Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings and a 4m-long scale model of a World War II ship.

“This is our first year holding a standalone show. Previously, our events have been in conjunction with local primary schools. It’s going to be the biggest brick show in the Bay of Plenty this year and better than our last as we gain new members.”

As well as Lego creations, there will be interactive displays and a Brickpit where the public can create their own Lego build and put it on display. There will also be new and second-hand Lego available for sale.

The event will raise money for the Tauranga Hospital children’s ward and Kidz Need Dadz, which helps BOP fathers to play an active part in their children’s lives.

BoPEx24 is at Mercury BayPark Stadium, 10am-5pm, on June 22-23 with a sensory hour on Sunday, June 23, from 9-10am. Entry $5 is per person, and under-threes gain free entry.