Our thanks to Jennifer Garlen of the Tennessee Valley LEGO Club for helping us out with our guest article for this week!  To celebrate the release of the LRGO Batman Movie, Jennifer has let us know where you can fill your LEGO obsession in the Rocket City.

With “The LEGO Batman Movie” hitting theaters this month, it’s a great time to be a LEGO fan anywhere, but Huntsville LEGO lovers might not know about all of the events and opportunities in our area.

There are lots of ways to celebrate your love for LEGO, some of them right here in the Rocket City, and others only a few hours or a mouse click away.

For kids, there are LEGO programs at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library and at Bricks 4 Kidz in Huntsville. Some library branches host regular LEGO programs for their patrons, so check their event calendars for more information. Adults who build and collect LEGO as a hobby can get involved with the Tennessee Valley LEGO Club, a local group that meets monthly and organizes events at a variety of venues, including an annual summer show at the main Huntsville library.

Those looking for a really big celebration of all things LEGO can make plans to attend a BrickFair convention. BrickFair Alabama comes to Birmingham’s BJCC each year in January, usually the weekend before the MLK Jr. holiday. Builders from all over the country bring their creations to display for the event, which draws more than 6000 visitors during its weekend public hours.

For those who want to build their own LEGO collections, sets are easy to find at local chain retailers like Target and Toys R Us, but a variety of specialty items can be purchased at official LEGO Stores. The closest stores to Huntsville are at Riverchase Galleria in Hoover and at Opry Mills in Nashville. Both stores offer huge selections of LEGO sets as well as a “Pick-a-Brick” wall where shoppers can fill cups with individual parts. Regular visitors can even become VIP card holders and earn points toward future purchases as well as access to special offers.

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ine, the options for LEGO fans expand even more. LEGO has a Shop at Home site for those who don’t want to drive, but the LEGO community includes a huge secondary market of unusual items for hardcore builders. BrickArms features a large selection of LEGO compatible guns and weapons, while BrickForge has its own line of military accessories as well as animals and scooters. Fantasy geeks can even buy a centaur body to attach to a LEGO minifigure’s torso. At BrickLink, fans can buy and sell individual LEGO parts, which makes finishing a large project much simpler. Those not interested in waging a LEGO version of World War II might appreciate altBricks, which specializes in colorful tree foliage for LEGO displays.

The internet also offers inspiration for builders at a variety of popular sites, including The Brothers Brick and the Star Wars themed site, From Bricks to Bothans. Classic Castle focuses on medieval and fantasy creations, with plenty of dragons and incredible cathedrals all built out of bricks. There are also dozens of smaller blogs where fans can keep up with the latest LEGO news, admire outstanding creations or connect with other like-minded builders.

Those who want to go big or go home with their LEGO obsession can plan a visit to a Legoland theme park, either in Winter Haven, Florida, or Carlsbad, California. LEGO Discovery Centers are smaller, indoor attractions designed for younger kids. The closest one to Huntsville is located at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta. Adults should be warned that they have to have a child accompany them to enter the attraction unless they attend a special adults only night.

Clearly, there’s plenty to keep LEGO lovers busy even after they’ve seen the new Batman movie. Whether you’re looking to stay local or hit the road, there’s a LEGO opportunity to match your age and interest. Check out the links to all of the sites mentioned to get started on your own awesome LEGO adventure!