Event Round Up, April
May 3rd, 20174/1–Piney Ridge Spring Fling, Sykesville
TK 86347 and ID 13621 arrived at 09:00 and were shown to a back room of the library. We suited up and joined the early birds around 09:45. We patrolled the halls and posed for photos for a while when we were joined by the boss, Lord Vader. The fair was most impressive, with face painting, a cake walk, bake sale, many games, science lab, photo booth, and food trucks. We interacted with the families and posed for many photos. At 12:30, we were joined by Jason and everyone’s favorite astromech and, shortly thereafter, TK 42129 rounded out the crew. Parents, students, and staff were all thrilled with our presence and with our ever increasing numbers. At 14:00, we returned to the library and said our goodbyes at 14:30. It was a great day with fabulous and hospitable hosts.
Troopers:
Melissa – ID
Bill – TK
Jim – SL
Jason – R2
Jess – TK
4/1–South Carroll Community Expo, Eldersburg
Bryan and Jason arrived around 9:30 and found Jess who was already getting suited up. At just past 10:00 we were ready and the 3 of us, led by R2, made our way to a corner of the gymnasium that had been cleared for us. Traffic was light and there was a dance demonstration on the stage beside us, so we started to wander around. After awhile we were joined by 2 Mandos, Matt and Kat, and we went back to our designated area to pose for photos again. At around 12:00 we decided to wrap it up as there really weren’t many people coming through.
Troopers:
Jess-TK
Bryan-TA
Jason- R2
Matt- Mando
Kat- Mando
Squires:
Christina
4/8–Runnymede Spring Bazaar, Westminster
This was a nice school event. It was first event of its kind at this school, but they still had good attendance. They had a bouncy castle, games, vendors, snacks, silent auction, and a cake walk. We arrived around 10:00 and were out trooping at 11:00. We roamed and took photos with the kids, parents and vendors. Best of all, this is the school Andrea teaches at!
Troopers:
Matt – TK
Thomas – TK
Squires:
Andrea
Brian J
4/8–The Phantom Birthday, Frederick
We arrived at the rec center around 11:00 and they did not have a record for a party happening that day. We walked around trying to find where it might be without success. We decided to troop anyway, so we set up the tent that Pat had generously provided and got suited up. We stationed ourselves around the rec center at around 12:30 and posed for pictures with the kids (and puppies) visiting the playground. We headed back to the tents in shifts between 14:00 and 14:30, packed up and headed out by 15:15. It wasn’t quite what we were expecting but we still had a great time.
Troopers:
Melissa – ID
William – TK
Rob – Vader
Sam (RL) – Jedi
Dave (RL) – Han
Norman (RL) – Chewie
Brandon (Mercs) – Mando
Squire:
Patrick
4/8–Star Wars Celebration, Essex
So we arrived on scene at 1 pm. We were escorted to a secure location in the basement to prepare for battle. Stormtroopers, officer, jawas, and some mercs suited up and we proceeded up to the public at 2pm. We found younglings making light sabers and greeting us for pictures. There was a Jedi showing off his Star Wars collection of original toys from the original series. We had a good time walking around the inside and outside of the establishment. It was low key and fun meeting all the people who joined us.
Troopers:
Rob – TK
Pat – TK
Gabby – CID
Katie – CDZ
Connor – CDZ
4/8–Benefit for Child with Cancer, Middle River
We arrived at the location at 6:30pm and were met by Johnny, who was our contact. He advised us to wait in our cars until the child arrived, as there was no place inside for us to suit up. We waited until we were given the green light to suit up, so we got dressed quickly and waited for our contact to escort us into the building.
A few minutes later, we were escorted in and were greeted with the wonderful sound of the Imperial March. We proceeded to walk through the restaurant until we located Tyler. He came out from behind the table and gave us some high fives. Tyler wasn’t feeling too good, so after a few more pictures, we went outside with him and his mother where we took a few more pictures. Tyler just wanted his mother at this point, as he was feeling really bad. So we were advised to cut this troop short. The parents and our contact thanked us, and we proceeded to pack it up. Total troop time from arrival to departure was 40 minutes.
Troopers:
Warren – Veers
Jesse – TS
Rob H – TK
Gabby H- CID
4/8–Fantom KidsCon, DC
Troopers arrived between 11-1130am, and we suited up in a small office in the back of the shop. By 12pm we were all suited up and out and about, greeting a steady stream of visitors. We took turns rotating between the shop upstairs and the sidewalk outside, and we even took turns walking up to DuPont circle and back, enticing young ones to come to the con, stopping for pictures along the way. There were many activities for the kids and everyone was very happy to see us there (except maybe a few intimidated youngsters and some unimpressed pedestrians). Our hosts provided pizza and drinks and thanked us all again for coming. He said he would like to have us back for FCBD. Around 330-345pm, one by one we proceeded to the back room to de-kit and head out, and all departed around 4pm. This was a fun troop–many thanks to GT and RL members.
Troopers:
Jess-TK
Bria-ID (GT)
Benjamin-Havoc Trooper (GT/RL)
Nick-Resistance Pilot (RL)
Livie-Scavenger Rey (RL)
Squires:
Michelle
4/8–Cecil Con, North East
A few of us arrived between 0900 and 1000 and were escorted to the same area that we had last year, and this time they made sure we had more space so we could put up the backdrop and not be anyone’s way. We were all set up and ready to go by 1000 hrs and everything went pretty well. We had plenty of people stop by and talk to us, some of them never hearing about what the 501st was or did, so we were happy to educate them. When others showed up they got changed and came downstairs and were a big hit with the crowd. We did have to disappoint a few people including a little girl who came over and asked if R2 was going to be here again this year. Charles from Terrapin Base and OLG XO Alan Shepherd did a podcast and when the link is up we will make sure that we post that here. Cecil Con provided us with some pizza and drinks for lunch which was very good and much appreciated.
Also special congrats to Kyle on his first troop, and to Ryan for his 10th and 1st anniversary troop!
Troopers:
Shep – TI
Chris – TR
Ryan – CDZ (GA)
Stephanie – MJ
Kyle Gainey – Kylo
Warren – Veers
Devin – TB
4/15–Andrew Murray’s 14th Birthday, Baltimore
This was a nice birthday event. We suited up in the basement and then came out to take photos with everyone. They had a bunch of Star Wars related activities, including pool-noodle lightsabers, a Jedi obstacle course, and a homemade Death Star pinata. All the food was even Star Wars themed or at least labeled as such, i.e. Han Burgers, Yoda Soda, etc. We trooped for about an hour before changing and heading home. The birthday boy was definitely glad to have us there!
Troopers:
Matt – TK
Andy – TB
Warren – Veers
4/20–Deep Run Elementary School PTA SW Night, Elkridge
We arrived at 17:30 and were shown to the spacious health room to suit up. We were joined by three Mercs and their handler. At 18:30, we went out to meet the kids and were swarmed with high fives and photo requests. The kids and their family members were absolutely thrilled to see us. The activities were split between the cafeteria and gym. We joined in with some Star Wars trivia but the kids would not be fooled by our attempts to throw them off of the correct answers. TK-86347 was honored to receive a piece of artwork from one of the kids. In the gym we observed some promising youngsters dueling with balloon light sabers and others bowling with Stormtrooper bowling pins. At 19:45, we posed for some final photos, headed back to our room, and left at 20:15.
Troopers:
Melissa – ID
William – TK
4/22–HoCo Special Olympics Walk, Ellicott City
This was a fun event. The temperature was great, and we got in and out between rain showers! Since there wasn’t a changing area, we had to change by our cars, but that worked out well. Most of us were able to get into the vendor parking area. (Sorry Bill & Cheryl!) We started trooping around 08:15 and wrapped up at 09:30. We received many hugs! One Olympian offered to marry all of us… We were also able to get photos with the Orioles mascot, Ravens mascot, and a couple characters from Frozen. Special thanks to Cheryl for squiring! Congratulations to Matt for completing his first troop!!!
Troopers:
Bill – IS
Matt M – TK
Matt D – TI (First Troop!!!)
Damon – TD (GT)
Squires:
Cheryl Thomas
4/22–Girls & Boys Club, Glen Burnie
We arrived at 9:45 and were shown in to a back room to change. While they hadn’t requested us to troop until 11:00, the event started at 10:00. They boys and girls club wasn’t able to set up the bounce house due to rain, so we got ready early and joined the event at 10:30 with Anakin Skywalker and two Mandolorian Mercenaries. Kat helped as a squire for all of us. We patrolled a bit outside to draw in some people and then stationed ourselves by the door. A youngling named Evelyn declared that she was afraid of Star Wars, but soon warmed up to us and shadowed us for the rest of the time. This was a smallish event with a game room upstairs and a vendor area downstairs along with a table for prizes redeemable by tickets. With Evelyn as our constant companion, we patrolled the event and posed for photos with kids and adults alike. One youngling was particularly impressed with “white Darth Vader” and could not be convinced that TK-86437 was actually a Stormtooper. Anakin and the Mercs headed out around noon. TK-86437 and ID-13621 stayed until 12:30, when we were relieved by IS-24558 and Cheryl, who trooped the rest of the event.
Troopers:
Melissa – ID
Bill R – TK
Bill T – IS
Squires:
Kat
Cheryl
4/22–Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library Party, Annapolis
We all arrived at the library by 13:30 and got ready in their office area. We were joined by Madison, a journalism student from University of Maryland, College Park. Melissa sat for a quick interview while the Stormtroopers were getting ready. At 14:00, we proceeded through the library and tried to make it to the conference room, which was set for the party. Of course, the library patrons were very excited to see three Stormtroopers and an Officer, so we had to stop for a few photos first. Inside the conference room, there were snacks, books, art projects, a scavenger hunt, and other activities. Many of the kids had brought their own lightsabers, so there were many duels throughout the room. All of the kids were good about not actually hitting us or each other with their weapons. Madison filmed the proceedings and interviewed a few of the kids, parents, and library staff. We gave out many high fives and fist bumps, answered questions and posed for photos. Antoinette helped with the art projects and Theresa watched our backs throughout the lightsaber meele. Before we knew it, it was 16:00 and we headed back to change. Madison requested one more interview and Bill obliged, while the rest of us changed and packed up. The library staff plied us with sandwiches and sodas and we headed out by 14:45, just as the library was closing.
Troopers:
Derrick – TK
Melissa – ID
Bill – TK
Geoff – TK
Squires:
Theresa
Antoinette
4/28–Bay Area Shuckers Basketball, Severn
All troopers and a small clan of mandos were suited up and ready to go by 6:45pm. We spent some time in the hallway outside the court greeting guests and taking some pics. This was a lightly attended event. We took a few more group pics with the cheer squad, and adjourned to change out and reconvene at Mutiny to celebrate a job well done. Pat did his usual stellar job as Squire. Congratulations to Cheryl on her first troop!
Troopers:
Bill T. – IS
Cheryl T. – ID
Melissa R. – ID
William R. – TK
Squire:
Pat
4/29–Fandomonium, Rosedale
We arrived at 11:15 and were shown to a staff area at the back of the library. We suited up and headed out into the library shortly before noon. Immediately, TK-86437 met a young boy named Calvin, who quickly became his biggest fan. After several high fives, fist bumps, pictures, and hugs, we were able to make our way out of the hallway and into the library proper. The library staff had done an outstanding job setting up their con. At the front of the library, there were two scavenger hunt worksheets and a trivia worksheet, all of which could be redeemed for prizes. Out front, there were two giant jenga games and a speed comic drawing competition. In the center of the library, the kids could design their own superhero capes and masks. ID-13621 was impressed with a boy who created the hero “Wonder Bread,” whose slogan was “bad guys are toast.” Downstairs, there were several vendors and a button-making station. There were also two cosplayers in custom costumes, a group of Ghostbusters, Deadpool, and Spiderman supporting the event. Finally, in the conference room, the library had a cosplay panel and a Mario Kart competition scheduled for later in the day. We patrolled the library, meeting citizens and taking photos. Whenever we encountered Calvin, he greeted TK-86437 like an old friend, took him by the hand, and led him over to show him something exciting. They admired books together, admired Calvin’s block structure, and chatted about how Calvin had been waiting all week to see him. At 14:15, we returned to our changing room to pack up, heading out at 14:45. This was a fun and nice little troop.
Troopers:
Bill – TK
Melissa – ID
4/27–Army Research Labs, Adelphi
We arrived at 7am at the base and were directed to our reserved parking, which was quite nice. Once Jason arrived with R2, we were led into the complex where we were given our name badges, and then escorted to a conference room where we suited up. We were then escorted to the main lobby, and then to the auditorium where we stood front and center while waiting for the opening briefing. We were met with lots of cheers and applause and the kids were really into it, as well as the parents.
We were then led out of the auditorium to make way for the Army Honor Guard and presentation of the Colors. We took a quick break for some water and then back to the lobby for hundreds of pics. We talked to several soldiers who were interested in joining as well.
After a while, we got back into our street clothes and were given a small tour of the labs and saw some of the cool stuff they are working on. We were presented with challenge coins from the base director as a “thank you” for coming. We were being thanked left and right for showing up, but honestly, it was an honor to do this for the troops and their families.
Troopers:
Jesse – TD
Josh – TD
Andrew – TD
Rob H – TK
Rob C – SL
Jason – R2
4/30–Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk, Baltimore
We arrived by 7:30, and were given a tent in which to change and store our bins. The weather was beautiful, which was as great for us as it was for the walkers. Several youth military groups were helping out with the event and had already secured the location against any Rebel incursion. We began our patrol of the area shortly before 8:30. A hardware supply unit called Home Depot had an area set aside for young walkers to make birdhouses. We received some helpful advice on building another death star, or at least boarding up that pesky exhaust port. We greeted the walkers and posed for photos and, before we knew it, the walk began. Some of the less mobile attendees had stayed behind. We visited and took photos with them and had some fun with the props at the photo-op station. After that, we positioned ourselves by the finish line and cheered on the returning walkers. When the crowds started to thin out at 11:45, we returned to our tent to change. We made it to the food trucks just in time to grab some delicious snacks before they closed up and we all headed home around 12:45.
Troopers:
Bill – TK
Melissa – ID
Charlie – TI
Jesse – TS
4/28–Carroll Co. Special Olympics, Westminster
Wow! This was a great event! We received ton of hugs and the weather was perfect! After suiting up, we took pictures with the Olympians. After the opening ceremonies we wandered around and cheered during the competitions. The parents, police (charity sponsors), and the kids were very appreciative of our being there. One parent said that their child spent the last two weeks talking about our plans to be there. We’ve become a regular feature at the games! We trooped for four hours, but we were so busy the time flew by. Thanks to Pat for being our super-squire!
Troopers:
Matt – TK
Jess – TK
Squires:
Pat
4/29–Independent of Autism Awareness Event, Westminster
This was a small event at the local Texas Roadhouse. About 25 vendors setup booths in the parking lot. A portion of their proceeds went to support Autism Speaks. I brought along a pop-up pavilion to provide a bit of shade. While it got into the 80’s, the breeze and shade kept the troop very comfortable. I trooped for four hours. It was a bit harder to do than the Special Olympics the day before, because the event was MUCH slower. Special thanks to my wife, Laila, for being my squire!
Troopers:
Matt – TK
Squires:
Laila
4/29–MWR CON, DC
From the personal log of Charlie, TI 386…
After some last minute assembly of my TIE pilot armor, I arrived just in time for the opening of the MWR Con at the Navy Yard. There was a great variety of superheroes present – Deadpool, SpiderMan, Agent Carter, Booty-O’s, and one of our own representing Captain America. I also had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Whitlock dressed as Director Krennick. He’ll be joining up with Garrison Tyranus, and hopefully will be approved in time for the Washington Nationals event. Johnny Yong Bosch from the Power Rangers was signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans! There were plenty of activities for the children to participate in – face painting, drawing workshops, and a costume contest. Many high fives and fist bumps were distributed while taking photos promoting the friendliness of the Empire. The event concluded with a kid-friendly trivia contest. After enjoying a cold cut sandwich and refreshments from our host, I visited the Naval Museum where they had huge cannons on display out front. There were all kinds of cool things inside the museum, and the ship models became much larger the further back you went. During World War II, the Navy had a floating dry dock that you could sail a battleship into, effect repairs, then return to battle. It must have been enormous! There was also some classic Scuba-Trooper armor! The best artifact in the museum was the Sandtrooper’s favorite weapon – a Lewis machine gun! Overall a very cool event (the air conditioning was very comfortable) and a great museum!
