Squirrel Hill Toy Store Hosts Lego Building Contest

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There's an "architectural" competition underway at a toy store in Squirrel Hill.

The front window at S.W. Randall is filled with homemade Lego concoctions. It's the store's eighth annual "Lego Builders" contest.

There are 120 entries divided into four age groups. About 70 percent of those entries are in the always tough 6 to 10 age category.

"People will come in and vote for somebody if they already know about, like relatives or their friends," said Misha Varshavsky, the assistant manager at S.W. Randall. "But people come in off the street, and they will find something that they like, and they'll vote for it."

Choices range from a "Bat Cave," to a spot-on rendition of Pitt Cathedral.

Hannah Gordon, of Fox Chapel, is loyal to her friend.

"We voted for a 'Ninjago.' It had lots of action and it was fun," she said.

Sutter Smith, of Mount Lebanon, has his eye on "the one with the giant wheels."

One store clerk is partial to something called 'Swamp Defenders.'

"It was just really cute, the kid who designed it... there was a lot of action in it," said Kate Sweeney, the clerk. "There was a guy climbing a ladder, and an alligator about to grab him off. Someone else noticed an alligator sitting on a lawn chair on the side."

Max McDade, 5, of Highland Park, discussed the Lego mystique, "you can build with them, a lot."

Proving his point, Max built a pontoon boat for the "5 and under" class.

Max's mom played with Legos as a kid, but nothing like the creations in this contest.

"Legos are different now than they were when we were [young]. There are so many sets and complicated pieces," she said. "You don't just have bricks and windows to put together."

Voting ends Saturday, June 30.

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S.W. Randall Toys & Gifts
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