TJ Weston competes Saturday during a speed build at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township. Weston won the event, which required building an exact copy of a model in the quickest time. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Jack Fiore, 10, of Cranberry Township, and Connor Moore, 9, of Evans City, compete against each other in a speed build contest Saturday at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township. Twenty-six children, from first to sixth grade, competed in different events at the annual tournament. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

ADAMS TWP — “Legos down!”

As the Rev. Peter de Vries announced the end of time in the third of five competitions in the Old Union Prebyterian Church’s 11th Lego tournament, 26 children stopped what they were doing and prepared to show the judges what they’d built.

The contestants, all in first through sixth grades and seated on the church’s basement floor or at tables, were taking part in what de Vries called the church’s push for cooperative play.

“The whole purpose of it is to encourage creativity and imagination in the winter months,” de Vries said.

Building kits aren’t allowed, so all of the creations came from what the children spontaneously thought up or had practiced previously.

“The kids were super excited,” said Tatiana Brower of Seven Fields. “It was something to look forward to. They’ve been building all week.”

Most of the practice builds Brower’s kids came up with had to do with Marvel movie scenes, with one Spider-Man cameo, she said.

De Vries said while Lego building is typically a solitary activity, the tournament encourages children to be creative and to do it together.

“I’m enjoying myself very much,” said Michelle Hamilton of Renfrew, whose two children — a first and fifth grader — participated. “I like to see them doing what they like to do with a bunch of other kids.”

Most families were local, but sometimes children from out-of-town come to Old Union because their grandparents are members of the congregation and wanted to let their grandchildren have fun. Margie Serrato of Cincinnati said that’s how she and her second-grade daughter, Arya Pavlina, heard of the tournament.

Arya built a Lego robot during the third event, designed entirely in her own mind and constructed within just three minutes “and a couple seconds.” She said at home she’s built items like dragons from her imagination.

Serrato said she encourages Arya to participate in such events and build different types of items at home, noting she works to push girls into science, technology, engineering and math interests.

The third event — the speed build — was just one of the fun activities for children Saturday. First came the “free build,” during which children could build whatever their heart desired; next was an “on-site construction” on the church’s main floor; the fourth event was a timed build; and the final event had children partner up with friends or strangers to build the same item.

Although Saturday’s 26 participants was “average,” de Vries said, the event continues to be popular, with alumni returning to judge new participants’ builds and with friends recruiting friends.

“A lot of it is word-of-mouth,” de Vries said. “We’ve had one kid who would bring four or five friends.”

Arya Pavlina, of Cincinnati, builds during a partner event at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township on Saturday. Pavlina and her partner won the event. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Sage Mahan, 11, of Valencia, picks out Lego pieces during a free build at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township on Saturday. Twenty-six children from first to sixth grade competed in different events for the church's annual tournament. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Lego designs are displayed for judging at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township on Saturday. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Silas Reichart competes Saturday during a speed build at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Emily Fiore, 6, of Cranberry Township, competes during a speed build at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township on Saturday. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Jack Fiore, 10, of Cranberry Township, competes in a speed build at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township on Saturday. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Logan Knight, 9, of Sarver, competes during a speed build at the Lego tournament at Old Union Presbyterian Church in Adams Township on Saturday. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 1/22/22

Joseph Ressler