Cincinnati Comic Expo

It was a busy weekend in downtown Cincinnati, between “Octoberfest”, homecoming weekend for University of Cincinnati, the Bengals were at home vs. the Titans on Sunday, as well as Cincinnati Comic Expo.  Members from Great Lakes Base, Ohio Garrison and Rancor Clan were all in attendance – along with friends from nearby Kentucky – for Ohio’s largest comic book convention.

Because of changes to Episode VII filming schedule, Peter Mayhew was forced to cancel his appearance.  David Prowse also had to cancel, due to knee surgery.  Yet shortly after that news, it was announced a trio of Boba Fetts: Daniel Logan, Dickey Beers (stunts) and John Morton -- also known for “Dak” from Empire Strikes Back -- would replace Mayhew and Prowse on the Cincy Expo guest list.  This was the first time John Morton has appeared at a convention in Great Lakes Base, so the boys from Shadow Squadron made sure to offer him a proper welcome. (more on that in upcoming posts)

Another big debut this weekend was for the Ohio Garrison “Detention Block” display booth.  Joining last year’s Speeder Bike and full-sized Dewback -- provided by Midsouth Garrison -- was a full-sized Death Star detention block, complete with two working “cells” where people could be held prisoner as part of the “Bounty Hunt” charity fundraiser.  For a small donation, folks were given lanyards to walk around the convention floor – where troopers from Ohio Garrison and bounty hunters from Rancor Clan would “arrest” them, and place them inside the detention block for about 5 minutes; or until someone paid to “bail” them out first.  The proceeds from this weekend’s went to Families with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) -- a local autism support group. 

While we here at Great Lakes Base typically do our best to foil the Empire’s efforts, we did manage to help sign up several people for the charity fundraiser – I even helped a few evade capture from Troopers and Mercs for a little while longer!  Together, we helped raise just over $600 for the organization.  To learn more visit: http://www.familieswithasd.org

Along with the Star Wars actor guests on the lineup, Cincinnati Comic Expo featured a pair of local artists with ties to Star Wars.  One of the headline artists was longtime friend, Ohio native and Rebel Legion Honorary Member – Joe Corroney.  Also setting up shop along “artist alley” was aspiring artist and actual Great Lakes Base member Travis Perkins; who’s done several projects for us over the years.  If you are a fan of Star Wars artwork, I highly recommend you visit both of their respective tables and pickup something for your wall at home.

Detroit Tigers "Star Wars Night"

My first MLB game away from home was at the old Tigers Stadium… vs. the Cleveland Indians!  Some of my greatest memories at Indians home games were always against the Detroit Tigers.  Back in high school, I used to own matching “home” and “away” Tigers baseball hats, direct from the team’s clubhouse -- a gift from my dad’s old Navy buddy, who took us to that game at Tiger Stadium years ago.  So when the Detroit Tigers hosted the Cleveland Indians for this year’s “Star Wars Night” -- you can imagine how much I needed to be there.

In fact, Tigers “Star Wars Night” has become something of an annual tradition for the members of Great Lakes Base and Great Lakes Garrison.  Going back to 2011, the Detroit Tigers have hosted a Star Wars-themed game and has been a crowd favorite ever since.  Organizing an event of this size can be like leading an entire campaign vs. a single battle, and Michigan Captain “kcjohnson” did an amazing job in his first year coordinating this event, on behalf of us Rebels.  In fact, the Tigers game is so special to groups like us -- Snips92 arranged to fly directly to Detroit (from work trip in Boston) just so she wouldn’t miss the opportunity to troop this game!

Now, understand that events like this tend to make for a LONG day for us.  We arrive at Comerica Park around 2:30pm and once everyone is checked in and security looks through our armor bins… then we make our way down to the lower levels, where (much like a relief pitcher) it’s off the bullpen to wait.  Later, once everyone is suited up -- we march outside for a massive group photo, under the giant tiger statue in front of the ballpark.  Unfortunately, we happen to run into a bridal party – who didn’t seem to get the hint that while for the bride this may be “her day”… we’re kinda on a tight schedule.

As time grew closer to the first pitch, we made our way down to the right field tunnel, where the Star Wars characters lead a parade around the warning track during pre-game introductions.  Members of the Michigan Philharmonic played a medley of Star Wars music and a small group of characters took part in the opening pitch ceremony; this year Boba Fett got "the call" from the dugout.

After that, it was time to meet the fans and take pictures… LOTS of pictures!  If you were lucky enough to make it over where the team had special “Star Wars Night” backdrops (great!) -- otherwise, you just paired up with a few other characters and just braced for wave after wave of photo-ops with fans!  The crowd was super excited to see us, and I always seem to get mobbed by the cute girls whenever I troop in Detroit -- think I should relocate here? ;)

Unfortunately (for us Tribe fans) Alex Avila hit a 2-run homer in the 8 th, giving the Tigers a 5-4 win over the Indians.  It still was fun to be back in Detroit, watching my two favorite teams play each other -- but this time I had to represent CLE by wearing my "Chief Wahoo" hat backstage.

FanExpo Canada

It has been a few years since I journeyed to Toronto for FanExpo Canada, this year was extra special as it marked the 20 th anniversary for Canada’s largest comic book convention.  Because our Base is so close to the Canadian border at various locations, several members from Great Lakes Base made the trip up for FanExpo.  Lumpy and Mickay crossed on the Michigan side, whereas Snips and I made the Kessel Run (via Buffalo, NY) in less then 12 parsecs -- which after trying to convert miles to kilometers for 5-6 hours doesn’t seem like much.

One of the first things you see you enter the show floor was the massive booth display by Canadian Base, 501st Canadian Garrison and R2-Builders.  On one side, you have a full sized Death Star hallway -- complete with display Imperial props and costumes.  In the middle, you can lookup information on all three groups on working computers in a mockup of the Death Star hanger control room.  Next to that was the “Shoot-A-Trooper” Tantive IV doorway.  On the opposite side of the door was the Tantive IV hallway, where Garrick Hagon (“Biggs Darklighter” from Star Wars: A New Hope) was appearing and signing autographs, as special guest of all the groups.  Plus, full-sized photo booth -- all raising money for Make-A-Wish Canada.

For me, FanExpo was a chance to reunite with my old friend Jedi XXL from Hawkbat Squadron.  Gil and I go way back, and it’s always a good time when Shadow Squadorn and Hawkbat Squadron get together.  As I said earlier, Garrack Hagon was setup over on the Tantive IV side of the booth -- signing autographs and taking picture with fans over in the Tantive IV.  A few Stormtroopers had also taken up position there for pictures with fans; that is until more of us Rebel Pilots started showing up.  It was kinda funny to watch them slowly retreat to a different area as more and more people wanted pictures with the Rebel Legion!

REBEL PILOTS TOOK BACK THE TANTIVE VI from the Empire!!!

Another highlight of the weekend was the official FanExpo group photo.  The first thing is trying to march a small army of troopers and rebels from the booth (located in the north building) up and down several escalators, across a bridge, and past couple thousand people.  The local guys did an amazing job coordinating with con security to clear us a path through the convention center.  Then, it’s a lot of stand around and wait… and wait, as they line us up and clear the floor as people are trying to exit the con.  Later Garrack Hagon as well as Albin Johnson (founder of 501st) joined us for the group photo.

On Sunday, I had the chance to meet Steve Blum, the voice of “Zeb” in the upcoming Star Wars Rebels.  We talked about the new show and he’s looking forward to meeting more Rebel Legion members at future conventions. Great guy!!!

Thanks to our hosts from Canadian Base and Canadian Garrison, along with R2-Builders for a great weekend of trooping!