Events Calendar

    Puzzle Competition

    Can your team build a puzzle the fastest? Competition guidelines, rules, and registration form are available on our website event page.  Ages 7+ and Families.

    Registration required; space limited. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/FPL-Puzzle7-9

    This program is supported in part by a grant from the Framingham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

     

    Rules:
    Teams:

    Teams must be composed of a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 4. No changes in team members will be allowed during the competition. 

    Each team must have at least 1 participant that is 7 years old or older. Participants 8 years old and under must have an adult 18 years or older present during the entirety of the competition. Family teams are encouraged, regardless of age.

    No adult-only teams, including a single adult (18+).

    A player cannot be part of two different teams.

    Each puzzler is strongly encouraged to wear a nametag (provided on-site).

    Teams are encouraged to choose a puzzle amount best suited to their ability.

    All team members must follow the Library’s Code of Behavior. Inability to do so may result in team disqualification or participant removal from the team.

    Each team can provide up to 4 trays of cardboard, foam or other material of a maximum size of 16” x 24” or A2 as an aid during the puzzle assembly. Box top holders are allowed. No other tools or aids are allowed.

    Competition:

    Participants must be at the venue 15 minutes before the start of each competition. Each team will draw a number from a hat or bowl to assign a table of play.

    Each team will be provided with a commonly-sized playing surface (for example: same-size round tables, or same-size rectangular tables).

    Until the host indicates the start of the competition and starts the timer, the participants cannot manipulate, unseal, or open the puzzle boxes that are on the table.

    Once the timer begins, the box may be opened.

    Any outside help during the competition may be grounds for disqualification.

    Participants can only assemble the jigsaw puzzle on their assigned table and within the competition area.

    Only designated judges can take note of the finishing times of the completed puzzles and enter the completion time into the record.

    When a team manages to finish the puzzle before the 2 hours, a judge will register the final time in the record. 

    If, once the maximum time has elapsed, a team has not finished the puzzle, a judge will take a smartphone photo of the table. A judge will then count the remaining pieces not yet placed into the puzzle. Teams who have not completed the puzzle will be ranked according to the fewest number of remaining pieces.

    For final count purposes “loose pieces” shall be defined as singular puzzle pieces or pieces joined to two or fewer other puzzle pieces.

    Missing puzzle pieces due to manufacturer defect shall be considered an act of nature and changes to the final team score shall not be made.

    All the jigsaw puzzles used in the competitions are the property of the participants once the competition is finished.

    Observers:

    Do not help puzzle teams in any way. Any outside help during the competition may be grounds for disqualification of the team and patron removal from the program.

    All observers must follow the Library’s Code of Behavior. Inability to do so may result in removal from the program. This includes distracting participants or interfering with the competitions.