Lego Barn wins Black and White Award - Keeps Cole’s memory alive

One of the new attractions at this year’s Wheat Land Communites’ Fair was the Lego Barn. The barn previously housed sheep and goats during the annual fair, but was converted into a play area for children.

During the fair, several children went into the barn and created structures out of Legos as well as particpated in activites sponsored by the East Adams Library District.

The barn was created in memory of Cole Melcher, who loved playing with Legos. The building was located next to the pedal tractor track, which was also created in Melcher’s memory.

During the fair, the Lego Barn received the Black and White award from the Washington State Fair Commission. Every year, a State Fair Commissioner visits the fair and presents the award to an outstanding exhibit.

Paul McAnally and Aaron Esser created the Lego Barn to give children a place where they could play with Legos and “let their imaginations run wild” during the fair.

McAnally said the idea for a playroom started last year and was partially inspired by Cole’s father, Rod Melcher, who held a Lego-themed exhibit to honor his son’s memory.

“A lot of entertainment has become expensive and we wanted to come up with ways to keep kids entertained,” Esser said. “We wanted to give them a place to play and things to do so they’re not playing video games.”

Rod Melcher said McAnally approached him with the idea of him and Esser creating the barn in Cole’s memory.

“I thought it was pretty cool and an honor to have it,” Rod Melcher said. “It turned out very nice.”

McAnally spearheaded a fundraising campaign to collect Legos for the barn. He had collection bins at Jim’s Market in Lind and at his house. He also went on Facebook and asked community members for donations.

“We had donations ranging from baggies of Legos to hundreds of dollars worth,” McAnally said. “Both Lind and Ritzville support kids in everything. I’m just honored to be in a town like this that supports kids like they do.”

McAnally also created a GoFundMe Page to raise money to purchase more Legos for the barn. Within 36 hours, the GoFundMe Page reached its goal of $1,000. Prior to the fair, the page raised a total of $2,025 in monetary donations.

Legos were not the only items donated for the barn. McAnally acquired three tables through a donation and Lowes contributed the lights used in the building.

Community members donated their time in decorating the inside of the barn as well. One of the walls featured giant Legos, made out of colored paper and matching plates, and there were paper Legos hanging from the ceiling. Esser said his wife, Jodi Esser, went on Pinterest and found the idea for the decorations.

Bronc Hutsell was one of the children who played in the Lego Barn in between showing his animals, leather working, and models during the fair. Hutsell, who plays with Legos, said the barn “was cool” and he was glad it was created for him and other children to enjoy.

As for the building’s future, McAnally said he hopesw the barn becomes a tradition at the fair for years to come. Esser added he and McAnally plan to add more activities in the building to “make it bigger and better every year.”