Nine-storey building rises in Toronto, made of Lego bricks

NEWS RELEASE

LEGO CANADA

************************* Calling Lego builders of all ages to attempt Guinness World Record

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Four-sided Lego tower described in this article not exactly as illustrated. It's probably not anything at all like the unofficial (and improbable) Lego building illustrated. We at SooToday.com just can't get enough of M.C. Escher.) TORONTO, Aug. 1 - Lego Creation Nation is coming to Canada! It will take hundreds of thousands of Lego bricks and thousands of helping hands but Lego Canada is confident that Toronto visitors and residents will be able to set the new Guinness World Record for the tallest Lego tower at this year's Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

To make history, the Lego Tower will need to exceed 94.3 feet (28.58 meters) and at more than nine stories high will soar over the CNE skyline and the nearby Gardiner Expressway when complete. Lego Creation Nation unearths, celebrates and cultivates people who embrace lifelong creativity.

Through its events, online web presence and Lego Creativity Awards, Lego Creation Nation seeks to encourage children to become creative problem solvers and builders of tomorrow. "We're excited to collaborate with the CNE to host a Creation Nation event that celebrates the creative and interactive spirit of the Lego brand on such a momentous scale," stated Larry Sedran, general manager for Lego Canada. "We know that attendees are ready for such an ambitious project and we're counting on them as no Lego world record has ever been attempted here in Toronto." According to the CNE General Manager David Bednar, the Lego Tower is a perfect fit for the CNE. "We love that our visitors can play an active role in the setting of a world record," said Bednar. "As a traditional fair, you don't visit the CNE, you experience it - and what better experience than adding your personal creative contribution to the world's tallest Lego tower." Construction will begin on opening day at the Canadian National Exhibition, Friday, August 17 at 10 a.m.

Visitors to the CNE - children, adults and whole families - are invited and encouraged to help build the tower, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of opening weekend.

Lego tower builders estimate that the structure will be near-complete around noon on Monday, August 20 when a "topping off" ceremony will be held.

At that time dignitaries will conduct the official measurement which will be submitted to Guinness World Records.

More about the Lego tower The Lego tower will be built on a 25-metre by 25-metre site at the west side of the food building, where a 500-kilogram podium will be assembled.

The four-sided Lego structure will be built on a series of graduated templates.

A group of building stations will be set up in a tented area on site so that dozens of kids and adults can help to assemble the sections at all times.

Two tower builders from Lego headquarters in Denmark are being flown in to oversee the project. As each section is completed, it will be raised into place by a 100-foot boom crane.

An intricate network of guide wires will support the tower as it grows and keep it stable once complete.

The Lego tower will be kept on display for the duration of the CNE until September 3, allowing all visitors an opportunity to see this amazing structure. To find out more information about Lego Creativity Awards, to read profiles of creativity in action and find tips for bringing creativity to home and work, visit www.LegoCreationNation.com

Lego Systems Inc. (LSI) is the Americas (North America and Latin America) division of the Lego Group, a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark.

The Lego Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through high-quality, creatively educational play materials, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough."

For more information, visit www.lego.com

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