Event Report: Gaming Event @ The Fletcher Free Library

This was a very low-key event on the part of the Fletcher Free Library that Mike and I attended. We both arrived around 1:30, where a number of gaming consoles had been set up, and several kids had arrived to play games against one another.

We suited up and mingled with the children from about 2-3:45 or so, even playing against them a couple of times, and answering their questions about the Empire. Overall, it was a fun event, because the handful of kids there were really happy to see us, which is my primary motivation for this. Hopefully, it will serve as a jumping point for future events with the library.

I had a couple problems with my armor - putting on a shin, I heard a loud CRACK, and the glue split, which wasn't a good sound - I thought that I'd broken the entire part, which thankfully wasn't the case. I also had a couple of snaps separate, but I bought some glue to fix that problem. Yay for White Duct Tape.

Mission Report: Williston Toys R Us Midnight Toy Release

The Vermont contingent of the New England Garrison turned out in its biggest gathering on Friday night at the Williston, Vermont Toys R Us to participate in their midnight Clone Wars toy release. The event saw three troopers, Andrew Liptak, Mike Anton and David Willard, appear, as TKs, to mingle with the small crowd of people who had waited in line for the opening. We also had three helpers, Stephen, Hayes and Ashley as wranglers, who took a number of pictures and helped us out when needed.
It was a small turnout for the store, but by 11:00, a small line had formed, and several people trickled in afterward, while we patrolled the aisles and posed for pictures. The store employees were thrilled to have us, and overall, it was a good, low-key event.
This was the first chance that I had to debut my upgraded armor, which worked fairly well - I had a couple of problems with my sniperplate, but for the most part, the glued sections worked well - I need to work on my shins, because I glued the parts on backwards.

Mission Report: Wareham Borders Opening

My latest troop this past weekend was the grand opening in of a Borders concept store in Wareham, MA. All together, we had four TKs, a scout, a Republic Commando, a Vader, an officer, a Tusken Raider and a Rebel Pilot come out to attend the event, where we were on hand for pictures. Prior to the event, I went out and picked up new under armor. The Weird Al concert showed a need for new stuff, a new shirt (all black this time) and new pants that would fit better under the legs. The event was fun, pretty easy. Basically, all that we really did was walk around the store, meet kids and posed for pictures. I ended up losing my sniper plate a couple of times, but was able to keep everything else together, which was nice, for once. It was a low-key event, but a fun turnout, and we had fun afterward with dinner and a screening of The Dark Knight. Fun event, the highlight of an otherwise crappy weekend.

Events Report - July 11 - 31

The following events have been reported to the 501st Legion between July 3rd and July 31st 2008. Please contact the hosting garrison prior to attending any event.

Friday Jul 11
UK Garrison - Sandhurst 'Science Explosion' - Sandhurst School, Sandhurst
Alpine Garrison - Relay for Life - Idaho Falls
Old Line Garrison - Weird Al Concert - Baltimore, MD
Alpine Garrison - Relay for Life - Billings, MT
Canadian Garrison - Polaris 22 (Formerly Toronto Trek) - Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, ON
Old Line Garrison - Shore Leave convention - Hunt Valley, MD

Saturday Jul 12
Canadian Garrison - Polaris 22 (Formerly Toronto Trek) - Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, ON
Old Line Garrison - Shore Leave convention - Hunt Valley, MD
Florida Garrison - Party
Midwest Garrison - Surprise Party - Gurnee Mills, IL
Garrison Excelsior - RPO Concert at CMAC - Canandaigua, NY
Bloodfin Garrison - 3 Rivers Festival Parade 2008 - Downtown Fort Wayne, In
Old Line Garrison - Weird Al Concert - Washington, DC
Midwest Garrison - Adler Planetarium wedding reception - Chicago, IL
Golden Gate Garrison - Lenny Williams Golf Classic - San Leandro, CA
UK Garrison - Heroes For Sale - Heros for Sale, Inverness
Midwest Garrison - Old Settler's Day Parade - Rockton, IL
UK Garrison - Pirates of The Carribean Fair - Hartford Junior School, Huntingdon
Garrison Excelsior - Monroe County Fair Intergalactic Reception - Dome Arena, Henrietta, NY
UK Garrison - Frome Victoria Hospital - Frome Victoria Hospital, Somerset
Star Garrison - Meet the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers, Arkansas Squad - Sherwood, AR
Garrison Carida - Relay for Life - Pittsburgh, PA
UK Garrison - Macmillan Cancer Support Charity event - The Wulfrun Shopping Centre, Wolverhampton
UK Garrison - Royal International Air Tattoo 2008 - RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire
Canadian Garrison - Paradise Comiccon - Holiday Inn on King Street, Toronto, ON

Sunday Jul 13
Canadian Garrison - Polaris 22 (Formerly Toronto Trek) - Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, ON
Old Line Garrison - Shore Leave convention - Hunt Valley, MD
UK Garrison - Royal International Air Tattoo 2008 - RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire
Canadian Garrison - Paradise Comiccon - Holiday Inn on King Street, Toronto, ON
UK Garrison - Stanford Infant School fair - Stanford Infant School, Brighton
70th Explorers - ToyMan Toy Show - District 9 Machinist Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, MO
Southern California Garrison - Pre- SDCC Armor Party/BBQ

Monday Jul 14
Garrison Excelsior - Weird Al Concert - Verona, NY

Tuesday Jul 15
New England Garrison - Weird Al Concert - Gilford, NH

Wednesday Jul 16
Midwest Garrison - Party

Thursday Jul 17
Great Lakes Garrison - Weird Al Concert

Friday Jul 18
Florida Garrison - United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida Appreciation Event - Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL
Costa Rica Outpost - Cinema Magaly 30th Anniversary GalA - San José Costa RIca
Golden Gate Garrison - Toys "R" Us Grand Opening - San Rafael, CA
Great Lakes Garrison - Weird Al Concert
Golden Gate Garrison - Toys "R" Us Grand Opening - Sunnyvale, CA
Florida Garrison - Metrocon - Tampa, FL
New England Garrison - JumpCon - Boston, MA

Saturday Jul 19
Golden Gate Garrison - Toys "R" Us Grand Opening - Sunnyvale, CA
Florida Garrison - Metrocon - Tampa, FL
New England Garrison - JumpCon - Boston, MA
UK Garrison - The Entertainer Store. - The Entertainer, Staines
German Garrison - Jahrestreffen der 501st im Movie Park Germany - Bottrop, Germany
Garrison Carida - Medical Convention - Philadelphia, PA
UK Garrison - Summer Ball / Oscar night - MAYDENCROFT LANE, Herts
Carolina Garrison - Book Release - Wilkesboro County Library
Garrison Carida - Robot Block Party @ Carnegie Science Center
New England Garrison - Borders Grand Opening - Wareham, MA
UK Garrison - Breast Cancer Awareness fun day - rodmersham squash and fitness, Kent
Garrison Carida - Relay for Life - Erie, PA
Alpine Garrison - Days of '47 Carnival - Salt Lake City, UT
UK Garrison - Yeovil Hospital Summer Celebration Day - Ivel Barbarians Rugby Club, Yeovil
Midsouth Garrison - Weird Al Concert
Mississippi Outpost - Jackson Comic Con
MidSouth Garrison - WonderFest - Louisville, Kentucky
Star Wars Celebration: Japan - Tokyo, Japan

Sunday Jul 20
Golden Gate Garrison - Toys "R" Us Grand Opening - Sunnyvale, CA
Florida Garrison - Metrocon - Tampa, FL
New England Garrison - JumpCon - Boston, MA
Mississippi Outpost - Jackson Comic Con
MidSouth Garrison - WonderFest - Louisville, Kentucky
Star Wars Celebration: Japan - Tokyo, Japan
UK Garrison - Guinness Book of Records - London film and comic con, London
Ohio Garrison - Weird Al Concert

Monday Jul 21
Star Wars Celebration: Japan - Tokyo, Japan
Ohio Garrison - Weird Al Concert

Wednesday Jul 23
Garrison Carida - Weird Al Concert - Scranton, PA
Central California Garrison - San Diego Comic Con - San Diego

Thursday Jul 24
Central California Garrison - San Diego Comic Con - San Diego
Weird Al Concert - Rama, Ontario
Redington Balloon Festival - Vader Balloon - New Jersey

Friday Jul 25
Central California Garrison - San Diego Comic Con - San Diego
Redington Balloon Festival - Vader Balloon - New Jersey
Carolina Garrison - Toys R Us Midnight Toy Release
UK Garrison - TRU Croydon - Toys R Us, Surrey
Garrison Excelsior - Toys R Us Midnight Toy Release - TENTATIVE - Greece, NY
Florida Garrison - Toys R Us Midnight Toy Release
Weird Al Concert - Rama, Ontario
UK Garrison - TRU Medway - Toys R Us, Kent
UK Garrison - TRU Leeds - Toys R Us, West Yorkshire
Carolina Garrison - Toys R Us Midnight Toy Release
Midwest Garrison - Party
Bloodfin Garrison - Toys R Us Midnight Toy Release - Indianapolis, IN
UK Garrison - TRU Bristol - Toys R Us, Bristol
UK Garrison - TRU Ipswich - Toys R Us, Suffolk
UK Garrison - TRU Oldbury - Toys R Us, West Midlands
UK Garrison - TRU Southampton - Toys R Us, Hants
Northeast Remnant - TRU Times Square Midnight Toy Release
UK Garrison - TRU Glasgow - Toys R Us, Glasgow
UK Garrison - TRU Edinburgh - Toys R Us, Edinburgh
UK Garrison - TRU Warrington - Toys R Us, Cheshire
UK Garrison - TRU Metro - Toys R Us, Gateshead
UK Garrison - TRU Brent Cross - Toys R Us, London

Saturday Jul 26
Central California Garrison - San Diego Comic Con - San Diego
Redington Balloon Festival - Vader Balloon - New Jersey
UK Garrison - Blockbusters ~ Lincoln - Blockbuster Superstore,, Lincon
Costa Rica Outpost - Toy Collectors Exhibition - San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa RIca
Florida Garrison - St. Joseph's Children's Hospital of Tampa - Tampa FL
Empire City Garrison - Giant Kids Family Fun Day - Bedford, NY
Garrison Carida - Chrome Riders Cooper Fair - Mullica Hill, NJ
Garrison Cardia - Steel City Con - Monroeville Expo Mart, Monroeville PAMonroeville Expo Mart, Monroeville PA
Midwest Garrison - Timber Rattlers Baseball-Star Wars Day *Make*A*Wish* benefit - Appleton, WI
Weird Al Concert - Greensburg, PA
MidSouth Garrison - North Stewart Spring Festival - North Stewart, TN
Terror Australis Garrison - Autosalon '08 - Perth, AUS

Sunday Jul 27
Central California Garrison - San Diego Comic Con - San Diego
Redington Balloon Festival - Vader Balloon - New Jersey
Terror Australis Garrison - Autosalon '08 - Perth, AUS
70th Explorers - Camp Quality Greater Kansas City - Excelsior Springs, MO

Monday Jul 28
Dune Sea Garrison - Karen Traviss Clone Wars Book Signing - Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ
70th Explorers - Weird Al Concert

Tuesday Jul 29
Star Garrison - Karen Traviss Book Signing - Dallas, TX
Central Garrison - Weird Al Concert
Wednesday Jul 30
Karen Traviss Book Signing - Decatur, GA

Thursday Jul 31
Empire City Garrison - TBA
Karen Traviss Book Signing - New York City, NY

Montpelier 3rd of July Parade

Members of the New England Garrison joined forces with the Vermont Cardboard Technical Institute and Kellogg-Hubbard Library for Montpelier's annual Independence Day Parade on July 3rd. Four troopers, plus four additional helpers were able to make the event, which featured the VCI's AT-AT walker. Troopers escorted the walker down the parade route to applause and enthusiastic grins from parade watchers. We posed for photos along the route, which was ideal - just over a mile, all flat.
In attendance was Andrew Liptak (TK-3220), Mike Anton (TK-2084 - His first official Troop), Brian Anderson (BH-7602) and Jodi Anderson (TA-7529), along with Recruit Hayes Johnson and two of his friends, and Keelia Liptak, who served as photographer and wrangler.

Group Shot

Walker in Action (Hayes in front)


My sister and I


Jodi and the Walker


Me and the Walker


Mike


Brian


Jodi

..

Overall, a very, very fun troop. It wasn't too hot, the rain that we had all day cleared off and we ended up having dinner at my place afterwards. Can't wait for the next troop with this walker!

Weekend Troop: Hallmark Strides for Health

On Sunday, I participated, along with seven others, in the Hallmark Strides for Health for a couple hours. It was a very low-key event, one that we had a limited participation in. The event was a walk put on by a company that one of our members works at, with a two and five mile walk, for which we mingled with the participants and provided general entertainment.

I arrived around 8:40 or so, with most everyone already there. We got suited up, posed for a couple pictures and cheered on some of the walkers. After that, we went out for lunch, which was a lot of fun.

Overall, I think this was more of an excuse to put the armor on and hang out with one another. We had a very limited participation, and for the most part, it's not really one of the events that I'm terribly fond of. I like doing things with a fairly clear purpose - I think I would have much rather participated in the walk, than cheer on the walkers - while it was fun to get suited up like it generally is, I asked myself a couple times what several other people asked us - what does Star Wars have to do with a Stride for Health. I'd much rather participate and demonstrate a sort of civic responsibility and volunteerism than essentially just sit around. I think this was in part due to a lack of organization on the part of the organizers, which had been noted.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed going out and being with the other members of my garrison - I wish that we could do this sort of thing more often, but I'll take events as we get them, and there are certainly other things that we could do that would be worse. In any case, it was well worth it to see people face to face.

So, overall, not one of my top ten troops out there. But, it was a troop, and it's always entertaining and fun.

Mission Report : Free Comic Book Day, Earth Prime Comics

On Saturday, I went and trooped at Earth Prime Comics up on Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, where I helped hand out fliers on the market street and mingled with patrons in the store. I was joined by two wranglers, Frank (Vader1130) and my friend Stuart, from college. Another member was supposed to show up, but I think that he ended up trooping at Hero's Kingdom, up in St. Albans, according to a patron. Frank broke out his ESB Han Solo costume, and we went up and down the merchant street five or six times, handing out fliers and posing for pictures up and down the street. It was a pretty cool and damp day, but we had a great turnout in the store, according to Ethan, the store's manager. He said that most likely because we were out walking about, and because of that, they had a number of people enter the store who might not have otherwise attended. Interestingly, the director of the recently created documentary, Nerdcore Rising stopped in the store. (Nerdcore is a genre of music, essentially Geek Hiphop/Rap, and features Honorary Member Weird Al and Friend of the Legion mc chris) A photographer from the Burlington Free Press also stopped by and took a bunch of pictures of me and some of the patrons. Hopefully they'll put the pictures up online. Sunday's paper didn't have any article on the event, but I'll keep checking.
On our first couple runs up and down the street, we handed out the free Clone miniature that they were giving out for the day, and the kids and parents who we handed it out to LOVED it, especially coming from a Storm Trooper or a Han Solo. They gave me one to have, which is really cool!
Earth Prime has agreed to donated $50 a charity of our choice, and they allowed us to put out a donation pot at check out, where we earned a further $17.74 over the course of the day. They've also agreed to keep the pot open, which has our logo on it, and we'll continually monitor that. Earthprime and Quarterstaff are really eager to help us out with things like this, and they were absolutely thrilled to have us, and I believe that we'll be welcomed back next year.
We also had a bunch of people who were interested in joining up - I handed out our website address to several people who were interested, and hopefully this will help eventually bring up our Vermont numbers a bit. One kid actually had an MR Helmet, and his friend had a Fett helmet that they made from cardboard that looked absolutely fantastic - I thought that it was fiberglass or plastic or something along those lines. He's apparently already looked into an FX Lite Kit.
Overall, very fun day, I'm looking forwards to doing something with them again, and I'm looking forwards to the next up here in Vermont!

Events Report - April 11th - May 1st

The following are the events reported between April 11th and May 1st, 2008. Please note that all events are subject to change without notice, and to contact the hosting garrison for up to date information:

Friday Apr 11
New England Garrison - Spacewood Derby - Dracut MA
Old Line Garrison - Cub Scout "Flights of Fancy"
Star Garrison South Texas Squad - American Cancer Society: Relay for Life - Baytown, TX
Mississippi Outpost - Coast Con - Biloxi, Mississippi

Saturday Apr 12
Star Garrison South Texas Squad - American Cancer Society: Relay for Life - Baytown, TX
Mississippi Outpost - Coast Con - Biloxi, Mississippi
Garrison Carida - Phillies vs The Chicago Cubs - "Kids Opening Night" at Citizens Bank Park - Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
Alpine Garrison - MS Walk Salt Lake at the Gateway - Salt Lake City, UT
Florida Garrison - A Friend For Daisy Benefit Concert - Tampa, FL
Great Lakes Garrison - Rivertown Convention - Grand Rapids, MI
Florida Garrison - St. Pete Festival of States Day - St. Pete Florida
Garrison Carida - Walk Now for Autism - Allentown, PA
Star Garrison Crimson Nova Squad - Little Rock Comic Book Convention - Little Rock, AR
Canadian Garrison - Toronto ComiCon Fan Appreciation event - Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, ON
70th Explorers - 5th Annual Walk for Autism Awareness - 1901 NW Parkway, Unity Village, Lees Su, MO

Sunday Apr 13
Mississippi Outpost - Coast Con - Biloxi, Mississippi
Florida Garrison - Tampa Comic Book & Toy Convention - Tampa, FL
UK Garrison - London Marathon - Go Out to Support Steve and Ray! - London, UK
Empire City Garrison - Maria Fareri Children's Hospital - Valhalla, NY

Friday Apr 18
Nordic Garrison - The Exhibition marketing event - Arlanda airport, Stockholm, Sweden
Southern California Garrison - Boys and Girls Club Carnival - 2200 E Commonwealth Fullerton, Ca
New England Garrison - Hasbro Bring you kids to Work Day - Pawtucket, RI
Great Lakes Garrison - PenguiCon 6.0 CANCELED - Troy, MI
Florida Garrison - Relay for Life - Jacksonville, Florida
Mountin Garrison - Starfest - Denver, CO
Dutch Garrison - FedCon - Bonn
Midwest Garrison - PenguinCon - Troy MI
Empire City Garrison - New York Comic Con - Javits Center, NYC, NY
Pacific Outpost - Kawaii Kon - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii/Hawaii Convention Center

Saturday Apr 19
Florida Garrison - Relay for Life - Jacksonville, Florida
Mountin Garrison - Starfest - Denver, CO
Dutch Garrison - FedCon - Bonn
Midwest Garrison - PenguinCon - Troy MI
Empire City Garrison - New York Comic Con - Javits Center, NYC, NY
Pacific Outpost - Kawaii Kon - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii/Hawaii Convention Center
Italian Garrison - Autism Walk-a-Thon & Silent Auction - Aviano Air Base
Alabama Garrison - Magnolia Festival - Gardendale
Alpine Garrison -Dixie Escalante Electric Kite Festival - Utah
Old Line Garrison - East Columbia Library
Florida Garrison - Relay For Life / American Cancer Society
Southern California Garrison - MS WALK 2008
Florida Garrison - Celebration Exotic Car Festival
Midwest Garrison - Children's Festival - Wisconsin Rapids, WI
70th Explorers - St. Patrick's Day Parade - Springfield , MO
Empire City Garrison - WHUD Kids Fair - White Plains, NY
German Garrison - FEDCON XVII - Godesberger Allee, Bonn
Florida Garrison - Great Strides fund raising walk - Tallahassee, FL
UK Garrison- Salute 2008 - ExCeL, London
Canadian Garrison - SciFi on the Rock - Holiday Inn in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Midwest Garrison - Prairie Air Show - Peoria Airport

Sunday Apr 20
Mountin Garrison - Starfest - Denver, CO
Dutch Garrison - FedCon - Bonn
Midwest Garrison - PenguinCon - Troy MI
Empire City Garrison - New York Comic Con - Javits Center, NYC, NY
Pacific Outpost - Kawaii Kon - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii/Hawaii Convention Center
Canadian Garrison - SciFi on the Rock - Holiday Inn in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Midwest Garrison - Prairie Air Show - Peoria Airport
Southern California Garrison - EarthFair 2008 - Balboa Park, Southern San Diego
Great Lakes Garrison - Relay for Life Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser - South Lyon, MI
UK Garrison - Sheffield Childrens Hospital 10k Raceday - Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield
Badlands Garrison - Edmonton Collectible Toy and Comic Show - Edmonton, Alberta
Costa Rica Outpost - Earth Day Celebration

Friday Apr 25
Alpine Garrison - SOUTHWEST SYMPHONY / Science Centre fund raiser - TENATIVE
Great Lakes Garrison - Albion College Spring Concert - Albion, MI
Florida Garrison - Family Fun Day II - Miami, FL
Florida Garrison - Florida Garrison - 2008 Relay for Life Gainesville - 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL
UK Garrison - Forbidden Planet - Forbidden Planet, London

Saturday Apr 26
Florida Garrison - Florida Garrison - 2008 Relay for Life Gainesville - 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL
UK Garrison - Forbidden Planet - Forbidden Planet, London
70th Explorers - Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis
Badlands Garrison - The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
Midwest Garrison - Cape ComicCon - Cape Girardeau MO
Alpine Garrison - MS Walk - Provo Utah
Dune Sea Garrison - 5K for JA / KidsRockStars - Tempe Town Lake Arts Park
Star Garrison, Crimson Nova Squad - Sparks in the Park - Benton, Arkansas
Southern California Garrison - "Meet and Greet" BBQ - Long Beach, CA
Alpine Garrison - MS Walk - Ogeden, UT
Florida Garrison - Our Kids World Family Fun Fest - Florida
German Garrison - Tattoo Convention 2008 - Frankfurt
Dune Sea Garrison - Tucson! March of Dimes: 3k March for Babies! - Tuscon AZ
Alpine Garrison - MS Walk - Cedar City, UT
Apline Garrison - MS Walk - Vernal, UT
Florida Garrison - March of Dimes March for Babies 2008 - Tampa Bay, FL
70th Explorers - Cape Con - SEMO University Student Rec Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
French Garrison - Generations Star Wars - Cusset, France
Belgian Garrison - Hypercon - Aalst, Belgium
Dune Sea Garrison - Relay for Life of Surprise, AZ - Surprise, AZ
Nordic Garrison - Model-Expo - Helsinki, Finland
New England Garrison - Relay For Life - TENATIVE - Norwich University, Northfield, VT 05663
UK Garrison - WGW Return of the Goths (Episode V) - Shambles shopping archade, Whitby

Sunday Apr 27
70th Explorers - Cape Con - SEMO University Student Rec Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
French Garrison - Generations Star Wars - Cusset, France
Belgian Garrison - Hypercon - Aalst, Belgium
Dune Sea Garrison - Relay for Life of Surprise, AZ - Surprise, AZ
Nordic Garrison - Model-Expo - Helsinki, Finland
New England Garrison - Relay For Life - TENATIVE - Norwich University, Northfield, VT 05663
UK Garrison - WGW Return of the Goths (Episode V) - Shambles shopping archade, Whitby
Garrison Tyranus - March for Babies - VA Beach
Mountain Garrison - Breast Cancer Walk
70th Explorers - Kid's Trolley Run 2008 - Mill Creek Park, JC Nichols Parkway, Kansas City, MO
Dewback Ridge Squad - Breast Cancer Walk - Albuquerque, NM
Mexican Garrison - Día del Niño en Casa Alianza - Casa Alianza
Capitol City Squad - MS Walk
Costa Rica Outpost - Earth Day Celebration

Wednesday Apr 30
Mexican Garrison - Tabasco - Galerias Tabasco 2000 día del niño

Thursday May 1
UK Garrison - Sci~Fi London Convention - Apollo Theatre, London

Stats -
Jan - 27
Feb - 50
March - 95
April - 107

Total Reported this year: 556

Events Reporting - March 14 - March 30

Alrighty, it's that time of the week: Updated Events Report. The following events are between March 14th and March 30th. As always, contact the hosting garrison for up-to-date-information.

Friday Mar 14
Terror Australis Garrison - One Man Star Wars Show
Southern California Garrison - Saber Academy - 780 S. Lyon St.Santa Ana, CA 92705
Mexican Garrison - Videogames Live - Mexicali Baja California Mexico
Carolina Garrison - StellerCon 23
Southern California Garrison - Wizard World Con 2008 - Los Angeles Convention Center
Alabama Garrison - Omegacon - Birmingham Alabama
Ohio Garrison - MillenniCon - Holiday Inn I-275 Cincinnati Ohio

Saturday Mar 15
Terror Australis Garrison - One Man Star Wars Show
Mexican Garrison - Videogames Live - Mexicali Baja California Mexico
Carolina Garrison - StellerCon 23
Southern California Garrison - Wizard World Con 2008 - Los Angeles Convention Center
Alabama Garrison - Omegacon - Birmingham Alabama
Ohio Garrison - MillenniCon - Holiday Inn I-275 Cincinnati Ohio
Great Lakes Garrison - Muskegon Fury Star Wars Night - Muskegon, MI
Florida Garrison - 3rd Annual Juvenile Diabetes Walk - Sarasota - Siesta Key Beach 948 Beach Road Sarasota, FL. 34242
Central Garrison - St. Patrick's Day Parade 2008 - Omaha, NE
Florida Garrison - Mcguire's 31st Annual 5k Run/Walk-Pensacola - Mcguire's Irish Pub- Pensacola, Florida
Alpine Garrison - St. Patricks Day Parade - Henderson, NV
Malaysia-Brunei Outpost - Outpost 2nd Anniversary Weekend - Cineleisure, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
TK-6714 (Florida Garrison) - Sarasota "walk for the Cure"
Bast Alpha Squad - Cub Scout's Blue and Gold Banquet - Harvey, Louisiana
70th Explorers - St. Patrick's Day Parade - N. Benton Ave & E Commercial St, Springfield , MO
Star Garrison - St. Patrick's Day Parade - Little Rock, AR
Dune Sea Garrison - St Patrick's Day Parade - Phoenix, AZ
Mountain Garrison - St. Patrick's Day Parade - Denver, CO
Midwest Garrison - St. Patrick's Day Parade - Racine, WI

Sunday Mar 16
Carolina Garrison - StellerCon 23
Southern California Garrison - Wizard World Con 2008 - Los Angeles Convention Center
Alabama Garrison - Omegacon - Birmingham Alabama
Ohio Garrison - MillenniCon - Holiday Inn I-275 Cincinnati Ohio
New England Garrison - St. Patrick's Day Parade - Boston Mass.
Florida Garrison - 1/111th AVN Family Readiness - Cecil Field Park.
Singapore Garrison - St Patricks Day Parade
Canadian Garrison - 2008 Canadian Star Wars and 80s Toy Expo - Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and Conference Centre - 3063 South Service Road (Directly off the QEW at Guelph Line)
Dune Sea Garrison, Jutland Wastes Squad - St. Patrick's Day Parade - Tucson, AZ
Great Lakes Garrison - St. Patrick's Day Parade - Detroit, Michigan
Garrison Excelsior - Village Gate Toy Show
Southern California Garrison - Girl Scout 96th Bday - Nixon Library, Yorba Linda

Tuesday Mar 18
Midwest Garrison - Cub Scout Meeting - Sheboygan, WI

Friday Mar 21
UK Garrison - Legoland Indiana Jones - LEGOLAND® Windsor Park Ltd, Berkshire
German Garrison - Jedi-Con - Düsseldorf
Dutch Outpost - JediCon - Dusseldorf, Germany

Saturday Mar 22
UK Garrison - Legoland Indiana Jones - LEGOLAND® Windsor Park Ltd, Berkshire
German Garrison - Jedi-Con - Düsseldorf
Dutch Outpost - JediCon - Dusseldorf, Germany
Midwest Garrison - Mother/Son Star Wars - CANCELLED - Montgomery, IL
Garrison Cardia - Philadelphia 76ers - 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Alpine Garrison - Winder Farms 3rd Annual Spring Fling
Garrison Tyranus - Galacticon - Virginia Beach Central Library

Sunday Mar 23
UK Garrison - Legoland Indiana Jones - LEGOLAND® Windsor Park Ltd, Berkshire
German Garrison - Jedi-Con - Düsseldorf
Dutch Outpost - JediCon - Dusseldorf, Germany
Spanish Garrison - XVII Jornades de Rol i Simulació del CRUPC - Barcelona
Cosa Rica Outpost - 1st Anniversary - Private Party
UK Garrison - Easter Newport Film Fair - Newport Leisure Centre, Newport

Thursday Mar 27
Florida Garrison - Learning 4 life Family fun day - 401 East 65th Street, Hialeah, FL

Friday Mar 28
UK Garrison - Lite a Nite Swansea - Junction Cafe, Swansea
MidSouth Garrison - MidSouth Con - Memphis, TN
Canadian Garrison - Ad Astra 2008 - Crowne Plaza Toronto, Don Valley Hotel 1250 Eglinton Avenue East

Saturday Mar 29
MidSouth Garrison - MidSouth Con - Memphis, TN
Canadian Garrison - Ad Astra 2008 - Crowne Plaza Toronto, Don Valley Hotel 1250 Eglinton Avenue East
Ohio Garrison - The Big Robot Game Café - Tipp City, OH 45371
Midwest Garrison -Inter-Fan Comic Jam - CANCELLED - Portage, IN
Costa Rica Outpost - Fundraiser for Club De Libros: "They have stolen fantasy" - Centro Nacional del Arte y la Cultura, San Jose, Costa Rica
Midwest Garrison - Blue Harbor Resort Charity Benefit - Sheboygan, WI
Georgia Garrison - Young Astronaut's Day - Robins Air Force Base-Warner Robins, Ga
Great Lakes Garrison - Grand Rapids Griffins Star Wars Day - Grand Rapids, MI
Alpine Garrison - MS Walk
Florida Garrison - North Florida 2008 walk MS Event - Friendship Park, Florida
Midwest Garrison -Griffins Hockey Game - Grand Rapids, MI
Terror Australis Garrison - Cancer Council's Relay for Life at Victor Harbor - Victor Harbor
Terror Australis Garrison - SupaNova Melbourne - Melbourne Australia
UK Garrison - Memorabilia - NEC, Birmingham
Garrison Carida - Steel City Con - Monroeville Expo Mart, Monroeville PA

Sunday Mar 30
MidSouth Garrison - MidSouth Con - Memphis, TN
Canadian Garrison - Ad Astra 2008 - Crowne Plaza Toronto, Don Valley Hotel 1250 Eglinton Avenue East
Terror Australis Garrison - Cancer Council's Relay for Life at Victor Harbor - Victor Harbor
Terror Australis Garrison - SupaNova Melbourne - Melbourne Australia
UK Garrison - Memorabilia - NEC, Birmingham
Garrison Carida - Steel City Con - Monroeville Expo Mart, Monroeville PA
Georgia Garrison - Cherry Blossom Festival Parade - Macon, Ga
Georgia Garrison - "The Empire Strikes Back" - Macon, Ga
Terror Australis Garrison - Run for the Kids
Italian Garrison - CARTOOMICS 2008 - Milano

Stay tuned for next week's report!

Stats:
Total: 404
Jan - 27
Feb - 55
Mar - 86
May - 74
Jun - 27
Jul - 27
Aug - 25
Sep - 8
Oct - 12
Nov - 5
Dec - 2

Mission Report: Vermont Philharmonic Concert @ The VT State House or: Imperial Troopers have Entered The State House!

Tonight was the first official Vermont event, at a concert at the Vermont State House. Unfortunately, because this event was somewhat short notice, and because Vermont is pretty remote, I was the one representing the New England Garrison.

The reason I was present was because the VPO was to play a medley of songs from The Empire Strikes Back. The song was towards the end of the program, which included a number of other songs (Insert the other titles here)

The Empire Strikes Back Medley included The Rebel Fleet/ End Titles, Yoda's Theme, Betrayal at Bespin, and of course, Imperial March.

While the first parts of the song played, I waited in the doorway, and entered during the first bars and walked up the walk-way to the conductor, where I remained for the rest of the song, attempting to conduct for part of it, when Conductor Lou Kosma handed me a baton-type thing.

The crowd really liked it - I think there was some applause when I came in. I waited around in the hallway outside the entrance until the concert ended, and stood for some pictures afterwards. There were a lot of comments and glee from the concert-goers, all of whom were much older than most of the crowds that I've seen with the 501st. I think the funniest comment was that someone expected me to be our governor, Jim Douglas, when I took my helmet off.

The orchestra was also fairly surprised, as they didn't know that I'd be coming out. The conductor was also unaware that I'd have the full suit. Needless to say, they were all very thrilled.

Overall, an enjoyable night!