Exotic Car Show Festival

Troop #36

The 501st Legion was asked to participate in a high profile fundraiser where those who have world class sports cars bring out their toys in an effort to raise donations for the Make A Wish Foundation. One of the many philanthropists owns a Landspeeder that was used in the movie Star Wars: A New Hope (the original 1977 Star Wars) so we were asked to come out in costume and allow people to take pictures with us if they made a donation.

It was a very fun event and raised upwards of $200,000 over the three day event. As a special treat Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) was there signing autographs for guests as well for donations. The crowds loved us. The cars were awesome enough to make at least seven more of my balls drop.

Walk Now For Autism

Troop #32

Total Donations : $144,508

On March 28th, despite over 40 mile an hour winds, over 2800 people walked at MOSI in Tampa for the 2009 Tampa Bay Walk Now for Autism, the kick-off party to the 2009 Autism Speaks Tampa Bay Annual Fundraising Campaign. The walkers from more than 210 teams, raised over $140,000. We are now over half way to our $250,000 goal!

We would like to thank Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio for presenting a proclamation declaring March 28th Autism Awareness Day in Tampa. A very special thanks to the Tampa Bay 501st Legion for bringing their amazing Star Wars characters to the walk. Thank you to DJ Elvis for always keeping the music playing and Keith Connors from The New Magic 94.9 for welcoming our guests. Thank you to David Glickman for MCing the stage program. Thank you to the 49 resource fair vendors and to all of the companies who donated snack and drinks. A VERY special thank you to our sponsors. Thank you to Tammy Berk from Berk Photography and Troy Salisbury from Photographic Memories for donating their time and talents.

Thank you to the 2009 Tampa Bay Planning Committee for their hard work and dedication to making the event a success. They are the true heroes.

Tampa Toy & Comic Show

Troop #31

Hosted at a new locale in Largo. The event itself is cool, but the venue it is hosted in was very shitty and cramped. Our table location was inside the cafeteria leaving no room to look at our display booth and props. I hope they move it to another venue (being that it's called the Tampa T & CB Show, after all).

Pinellas Park Parade

Troop #25

The 36th Annual Pinellas Park Parade brought out about 30 members from the local 501st Legion. A 2.3 mile walk in full armor is more than taxing on your body but well worth it. Seeing the families reaction as we came walking down Park Blvd. was an astounding feeling and at times made you forget that you lost feeling in your legs long ago. We had a good respresentation of all Star Wars characters from Storm Troopers to Vader himself. We also had a competition show truck decorated with our banner. Awesome troop & I cannot wait until next year to do it again!


That Guy Brian (our local Vader) hosted a pre-parade BBQ for the troops. This was especially cool because it marked the first appearence of another member of ours, Shadow Scar (Robert) who had previously broken his leg in three places at another event November 2008. Shadow Scar's costume is of a Black Hole trooper, or Shadow Trooper which is basically an all black Storm Trooper. So...with plenty of time on my hands I found an action figure of his character, got some white athletic tape, Elmer's glue, and went to work on a special gift to show our appreciation for his dedication to trooping. That Guy Brain helped removing it from the package carefully so we could operate on the figure and return it to the package without notice. Below are the pictures of Robert and his new gift. He was still in his wheelchair at this event and his spirits were quite down due to his injury preventing him from being able to work. And to speak even further to Robert's love and dedication to trooping, he suited up in his costume sans the legs, got into his wheelchair, and strapped it into the back of the truck so he could do his part in the parade. Bravo Robert.

Clone Wars Premiere

Troop #16

We made it into Star Wars Insider!!!!! Wo0T!

This event was massive! That Guy Brian (Vader, well...sort of) setup this event at the local Regal theater. I made a sweet ass promo poster for it and had it printed on 20x16 inch glossy to hang around the venue. Of course, they were all immediately stolen. Which is in one way shitty, but in another awesome because that means somebody liked my work.

We had 40+ people come out for this event and it was awesome. I am pretty sure That Guy Brian drank about 10 beers once home. And he deserved it. This event was massive on scale, coordination, and physical demands.

Out of irony That Guy Brian allowed somebody else to dress up in his Darth Vader costume for the event as he would be to busy to do so himself. So Butah Fett (Carlos) suited up. And low and behold...the one time he isn't in his own costume, we get published in the Star Wars Insider. Irony: it spares nobody, even fictional characters.