Local event to feature world’s largest puzzle
Sometimes life can seem like one big puzzle. In the case of Stephen Crea, it is actually the biggest puzzle – the largest in the world, in fact. On July 25, Crea is hosting the third annual Summer Speed Puzzle Showdown from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Victory Forest Community Center in Fort Worth. Like the name indicates, it will feature competition among folks who can put together puzzles fast – really fast. And it will include a special project led by Crea himself, the world’s largest puzzle, sponsored by Boardwalk Puzzles, creator of the actual puzzle. It will feature 60,000 pieces, stand 8 feet tall and 29 feet wide.
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“The idea for the puzzle came as an escalation of doing a puzzle for the first time in a decade one Saturday in the summer of 2023. I was at my in-laws for a pool day with our family and my mother-in-law had a couple new puzzles on the table that she was going to sell at a boutique she worked at. She said I could pick one to start if I wanted,” Crea recalled.
It was a 1,000 piece puzzle and he completed it over a few weeks of Saturday pool days, little by little every week. Once it was done he wanted to do another and thought, “Why not go a little bigger?” “So I got a 2,000 piece puzzle and did that over a few weeks the same way,” he said. “Then I thought why not go a little bigger and started looking for a new and bigger puzzle. “In that search I wondered what the world’s largest puzzle is and that’s when I found it. So of course, as I’m known to do, I wanted to take on the biggest possible challenge.”
This is evidenced in years past as has previously competed in Ironman endurance events. Most recently he ran the Cowtown Half Marathon in March, setting a personal record 1 hour, 46 minutes, 39 seconds over 13.1 miles, which was in the top 10% overall. As for puzzles, his personal record for a 300 piece is 42 minutes and 33 seconds. For a 500 piece his record is 59:51. For a 1,000 piece puzzle, his record on his own is 3:48:10, which was on section 48 of the world’s largest puzzle. That puts him in around the top third of participants.
WHAT TO EXPECT Crea said folks attending the event can expect an energetic atmosphere where engagement, encouragement, and friendly competition fill the room from start to finish. It will feature individual, relay, and team speed puzzling competitions, the World’s Largest Puzzle on display – and you can take a photo with it – free mini games, puzzle merchandise, and a big puzzle swap for competitors and spectators alike. “The goal is to do more than crown champions. My mission is to build a community built on connection, collaboration, and fun by creating an excellent experience that leaves lasting memories for everyone who attends,” Crea said.
Last year’s times for the winners of each event included: Youth Solo (200 pieces), 16:49. Adult Solo (300 pieces), 22:56. Pairs (500 pieces), 31:40. Teams (four people, 1,000 pieces), 48:26.
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COMMUNITY GROWTH Crea said speed puzzling community growth is an interesting story. “Competitive jigsaw puzzling was a niche hobby before 2020. Then COVID happened,” he said. “Millions of people rediscovered puzzles during lockdown. A small percentage of those people became serious speed puzzlers, the vast majority of which are female (80-90%).” Since then The USAJPA (Jigsaw Puzzle Association) has been created, there are up to 20 states that now feature in-person state championships. National championships have grown dramatically in attendance. This year in Atlanta they had roughly 1,600 attendees and about 1,000 competitors.
“Small local events are appearing everywhere – libraries, bars, restaurants, churches, fundraisers – and large regional events continue to pop up and grow,” he said. “Livestreams, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok have introduced people to competitive puzzling, with multiple influencers creating large followings. “There are even speed puzzle cruises and weekend-long retreats people go on.”
GREAT TURNOUT Turnout for his summer events has been so high that Crea added a Halloween version of the Speed Puzzle Showdown, where people dress in costumes and the puzzles and decorations are all Halloween and fall themed. “It’s a super fun time and gives the community a time in the fall to all get together again for a big event,” he said. Following the event on the 25th, Crea would like to donate the world’s largest puzzle to an organization. One catch, though, he doesn’t want it broken apart. “I’d love for it to have a permanent home where it can inspire others,” he said. “I’m looking for a hospital, museum, university, library, corporate headquarters, airport, nonprofit, or other public space that would proudly display it for visitors to enjoy for years to come. “I’d love for it to be a conversation piece that reminds people what patience, persistence, and thousands of small steps can accomplish.”
Third Annual Speed Puzzle Showdown Saturday, July 25 Victory Forest Community Center 3427 Hemphill St. Fort Worth
Featuring: Speed puzzle competition and the world’s largest puzzle of 60,000 pieces. Visit: DFWSpeedPuzzling.ticketspice.com/2026-summer-speed-puzzle-showdown
