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A LEGO display celebrating Fairfax County’s 250th anniversary is now on view at Tysons Corner Center, bringing landmarks and everyday scenes from all nine magisterial districts into one installation.
The Northern Virginia Lego User Group, also known as NOVA-LUG, unveiled the display July 22 near the mall’s future Dick’s House of Sport store. The project is part of Fairfax County programming commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary and is expected to remain at Tysons Corner Center into January 2027.
The installation includes at least one site or scene from every magisterial district. Depicted locations and activities include the Udvar-Hazy Center, Great Falls Park, Lake Accotink, the Historic Fairfax Courthouse, Franconia-Springfield Metro, Grist Mill Park, Tysons Corner Center and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. The display also includes Bunnyman Brewing, pickleball and cycling.
“What is fantastic is they have pieces representing all nine districts, so when people see this, they see the array of attractions we have for residents and visitors,” said Barry Biggar, Visit Fairfax’s president and CEO.
Visit Fairfax worked with the Fairfax County 250th Commission to organize and promote semiquincentennial programs. Organizers invited NOVA-LUG to develop the display, while the county suggested sites and required representation from every magisterial district. Builders were also allowed to propose other subjects. Grist Mill Park was one such addition that received approval.
NOVA-LUG President Tanner Johnson and member Ben Rome coordinated the project. The group officially began work on the installation in March 2026, after being founded in 2024. NOVA-LUG now has more than 35 members and holds casual monthly meetings along with public family events at venues including parks and libraries.
Johnson said the display will change during its run. Smaller scenes may receive seasonal and holiday updates, potentially incorporating different types of county housing, historic homes and Halloween or Christmas decorations.
“We’ll do a lot of those micro-adjustments to really show and celebrate life in the county and the holiday season and make it a very present and timely display throughout the year,” Johnson said.
The group’s activities are intended to make LEGO building accessible to a broad range of participants. NOVA-LUG restricts paying membership to adults 18 and older, while allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to join as associate members.
“We want to encourage everybody, at whatever age, to find the different things that are meaningful to them and allow them to continue playing and exercising that creativity,” Johnson said.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said the display offers a way to connect the anniversary with local places and public life.
“I think it’s a great way to both educate people and get some excitement about what it means to have lived through 250 years of our nation and to see it in a place that sees millions of tourists and visitors every single years,” Palchik said.
Visit Fairfax said Tysons Corner Center attracts more than 20 million visitors annually. Macerich owns the mall and, according to Palchik, has partnered with Fairfax County on community events and public-art projects.
The display’s future after its Tysons run remains unsettled. No final destination has been selected, although some county supervisors have asked about permanent homes for models associated with their districts. Palchik has suggested that the installation stop at the Fairfax County Government Center. Those possibilities remain proposals.