majorna Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 I don't hang around here much, but participated in the Winter Village contest a couple of years ago, and it was such fun I thought I'd have another go at it. I'm really impressed at the quality of the MOCs that are showing up here. Real quality work on display! The “Julbock” (Yule Goat) is a traditional holiday symbol in Scandinavia. Its pagan origins are obscure, but it is frequently depicted today as a decoration made of bundled straw with red ribbons, and can be found alongside other traditional domestic decorations such as Christmas trees, small elves, and decorative lighting. In recent decades towns and cities have begun erecting large straw goats in town squares and other public spaces during the holiday season. The most famous of these is the goat in Gävle, which is notorious for being the frequent subject of arsonist pranksters. Naturally, considering its Scandinavian origins, the Winter Village has a Julbock of its own. In what will ultimately lead to tragic consequences, the goat has been placed in the town center adjacent to the fireworks stand, selling pyrotechnics in preparation for New Year’s Eve celebrations. The seller has rockets, mortars, and what looks suspiciously like dynamite available to buy. The father and his young daughter are examining the wares when, all of a sudden… A burst of fireworks casts a stray spark upon the dry and highly flammable straw figure, causing it to burst into flames. Fortunately the Winter Village is home to legions of bored firefighters always ready to battle a blaze. Here’s a closer look at the spring-loaded mechanism. A Technic shock absorber is hidden there in the snowbank, attached to a short linkarm on an axle with a 12 tooth gear, which drives both the fireworks and julbock’s rotating flame. Quote
LegoPercyJ Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 I really like how you did the firework/play feature! Quote
Pate-keetongu Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Ah, that action feature is sweet! Very innovative. Also liking the poor Gävlean hay goat. I'd made the base a bit bigger though, with some white plates (though this winter doesn't seem to be very snowy so now it's quite realistic). Quote
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