One of my favorite locations for trooping is Blossom Music
Center, the giant wooden amphitheater in the middle of the Cuyahoga Valley
National Park and summer home for the world famous Cleveland Orchestra. This year, the Cleveland Orchestra
decided to end their summer concert series with a two-night tribute to the
movie scores of John Williams, which includes blockbuster hits like "Harry
Potter," "Indiana Jones," "Superman: The Movie" and of course the "Star Wars" saga.
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| photo by: Gina Platzer |
Because John Williams’ music is such an integral part of
what made Star Wars so popular, the Cleveland Orchestra invited Rebel Legion,
Ohio Garrison, Rancor Clan and The Dark Empire to be part of the weekend. Keep in mind, Blossom Music Center is a
HUGE venue (able to host over 23,000 guests) with both pavilion and lawn
seating. Thankfully, we managed to
get reinforcements from neighboring Carida Garrison.
Because of the beautiful Labor Day weekend weather people
were arriving as soon as the gates opened, many carrying blankets and picnic
baskets. Since it was Labor Day
weekend, you can imagine how HOT the weather was for folks wearing heavy Star
Wars costumes. Thankfully,
everyone made a point to stay hydrated and we had NO issues with
Troopers/Rebels going down due to the heat.
Every time we visit Blossom Music Center is a little different from the
last. This being my FIFTH time
trooping at this venue, I tend to look for what separates this one from the
others. What this event had was A
LOT of photos taken with guests walking in; which as Obi-Wan would say... “That’s WHY I’m HERE!”
But seriously, I don’t believe that I have taken more “selfies” with
guests in my life as I did this weekend – in addition to regular photo ops. Most
of our group was spread out near the main entrance, with a line of people
waiting for their chance to take pictures with each small group of characters.
A few of us broke away and walked over to the far pavilion area for a few
private photo ops with guests.
As you would expect over a holiday weekend, the Sunday concert as just
as busy as the night before. (maybe even more so?) Another beautiful
summer day and waves of guests stopping to take pictures with us as they enter
the main gates. I ended up serving a dual-role as 1/2 Rebel Pilot, 1/2
"traffic cop" -- having to instruct guest where to lineup, in between
taking photos, and stopping more then a few "photo bombers" from
crashing the line and other people's picture time with us.
