INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — McKee Botanical Garden is pleased to announce Cade Durrell as the winner of its “Build-Your-Own LEGO Brick Creation” competition.
The competition was held in conjunction with Nature Connects, “A LEGO Brick Exhibition” that was recently on exhibit at McKee. From April 3 through April 12, Garden visitors were able to view a display of LEGO brick sculptures created by local youth ranging in age from 7 to 13-years-old. The sculpture submissions were modeled after plants, animals and local landmarks.
Upon viewing, visitors were encouraged to cast their vote for a “People’s Choice” favorite. The votes were tallied and the winning sculpture, with more than 500 votes, was “Florida Citrus Grove” created by 8-year-old Cade Durrell of Vero Beach.
Durrell’s sculpture depicted a working orange grove, complete with trees, workers, a loading truck and even a testing room. His inspiration came from many visits to the groves with his father who has been employed in the citrus industry for 20 years. A student at St. Edward’s School, Durrell is an avid LEGO builder who has been creating with the plastic bricks since he was a toddler.
As the winner of the Build-Your-Own LEGO Brick Creation Competition, Durrell and his family were awarded a one-year family membership to McKee which entitles them to unlimited visits to the Garden for an entire year along with several additional benefits.
“The talent and ingenuity that was demonstrated by these students in our Build-Your-Own LEGO Brick Creation Competition was exceptional,” said McKee Executive Director Christine Hobart. “From subjects found in nature to those found in our community, each sculpture was a work of art. Congratulations to Cade and to all of our participants on a job well done.”
To view an album containing all the youth sculpture submissions, please visit McKee Botanical Garden’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mckeegarden.
McKee Botanical Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all. McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach. Admission rates are $12 adults, $11 seniors and $8 children ages 3 to 12. Admission is free for members and children under 3. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. The Garden is closed Mondays. For more information call (772) 794-0601 or visit www.mckeegarden.org.
