The toys are back in town!

Anyone who has grown up on Star Wars know that toys are as much a part of the "Star Wars" franchise as the movies they are based on.  So it makes sense when Great Lakes Base and Ohio Garrison were invited to the Columbus Toy Show -- held at Franklin County Veteran's Memorial Hall.

Photo courtesy of Col-Mas

Since 2001, the Columbus Toy Show has been a place where "jawas" from the Buckeye State gathered, in search of their prized toys and other collectibles from Star Wars, GI Joe and other childhood memories.  This event has become something of a semi-annual tradition for us and the assignment is fairly easy: look good and interact with people who enjoy Star Wars -- it's what we do!

Drazhar tells of how, "there was a great photo-op of Luke on the ground with a Tusken Raider standing over him, as several cheerleaders -- from a competition nearby, stopped to take photos.  Star Wars always has attracted all types, guess it continues to do so."

Mr. Olympia in Columbus!

Here's some trivia for you: did you know there was a bronze statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger at Veterans Memorial?  The placement of this statue does have historical significance as Veterans Memorial Hall has hosted the Arnold Sports Festival since 1989 -- along with other bodybuilding events involving Schwarzenegger since 1970.  The statue was recently revealed on the front lawn at Veteran's Memorial -- where the Columbus Toy Show was taking place -- so our guys just couldn't pass up the chance to get a picture next to "Mr. Olympia" himself!

The unusually windy spring day made for some interesting costuming moments according to Drazhar, "Vader and I both lost control of our cape/robe -- understand why superheroes shouldn't have them... now I do."