Next weekend we have an intersection of two very busy day. First we have Friday, “May the Fourth Be With You,” a date which brings with it a wide variety of Star Wars themed events all across the state, two Library programs, a Minor League Base Ball game, and Tickets To Dreams. The Sound and Magic of Hollywood. Immediately following is Saturday, May 5th, or as it is known by its alter ego, The Amazing Free Comic Book Day. The Ohio Garrison will be making appearances at several Comic Book stores all across the state.
501st member Jacob French recently completed his over 3,100 mile journey from Perth, Australia to Sydney, Australia in full Stormtrooper armor.
Jacob set off on his journey in July of 2011 to raise awareness and donations for the Starlight Children's Foundation, an organization which also operates in the United States, and provides programs to help lift the spirits of sick children in hospitals. On his journey, Jacob walked an average of ten hours per day, 5 days a week, and went through seven pairs of shoes. (No, he didn’t wear his TK boots the whole time.)
In the end, Jacob helped to raise over $100,000 for the Starlight Children's Foundation in the process. To which we say, “Bucket’s Off, Trooper.” Now enjoy a nice long rest, you’ve earned it!
See where it all began. Recently discovered in the PR archives is a long lost video featuring footage from and interviews about the charity work done by the Ohio Garrison in 2004 and 2005 made by Ohio Garrison CO (then PR officer) Marshall Peterson. Give it a watch and see how far we have come and how much we have grown in seven years.
It is shaping up to be a very busy weekend for the Ohio Garrison as we have multiple events all across the State for the release of Episode I in 3-D. Below is a partial list of the locations we will be at. For more details information, see the events section of a message board: http://ohio501st.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=2
MIDNIGHT PREMIERES
Location - Huber Heights
Date(s) - Feb 09
Times - Feb 09 (10PM) - Feb 10 (2AM)
Location - Pickerington
Date(s) - Feb 09
Times - Feb 09 (10PM) - Feb 10 (2AM)
Location - Toledo
Date(s) - Feb 09
Times - Feb 09 (10PM) - Feb 10 (2AM)
WEEKEND SHOWINGS
Location - Pickerington
Date(s) - Feb 10 & Feb 11
Times - 6PM - 10PM
Location - Toledo
Date(s) - Feb 10 & Feb 11
Times - 6PM - 9PM
Location - Dayton
Date(s) - Feb 10 & Feb 11
Times - 6PM - 9PM
Location - Springdale
Date(s) - Feb 10, Feb 11, & Feb 12
Times - 6PM - 11PM
Location - Cleveland
Date(s) - Feb 10
Times - 7PM - 9PM
Location - Mentor
Date(s) - Feb 11
Times - 7PM - 9PM
On February 10, 2012 Star Wars Episode I: The phantom Menace will be released in theaters across the country in 3-D. The Ohio Garrison will be on hand both for the midnight premier and during the following weekend to promote the film. Check the events section of the Ohio Garrison’s message board to see if we will be at a theater near you!
As the year winds down to a close, Central Events Coordinator Brian Pauley totaled up the number of events that the Ohio Garrison participated in this year.
In 2011, the Ohio Garrison participated in 95 all across the state of Ohio.
As an interesting side note, the Ohio Garrison participated in 15 separate library events this year, which makes up just fewer than 16% of the total events we participated in.
The Ohio Garrison would like to wish everyone a happy New Year, and we look forward to a 2012 filled with even more events!
We invite everyone to come out and see us Mid-Ohio Comic 2011 on October 22-23 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Mid-Ohio is now under new Management. Wizard World has taken up the reigns of the con, and is promising new and exciting things for this year’s convention, including some fantasic guest, including James Marsters, Adam West, Burt Ward, Claudia Christian, Walter Koenig, and Lando himself, Billy Dee Williams.
The 501st will be on hand all day, available for people to get their pictures taken with their favorite Star Wars villains including Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Imperial Stormtrooeprs, Clone Troopers, and the dreaded Cad Bane. In addition the con will be graced by the presence of the almighty Jabba. Yes, Ohio’s own life size Jabba will be on display near the 501st’s table for fans to get their picture with as well.
So come on out October 22nd and 23rd for Mid-Ohio Comic Con
It's October, and we're going to start looking for a new profile picture for our facebook page! To celebrate the fall, we're thinking changing leaves, which makes us think of trees, which makes us think of Biker Scouts! So, let’s see your best Scout Trooper (RotJ) pictures! Submit a picture by either posting it on our Facebook page’s wall Remember, the picture must be of a member of the Ohio Garrison, and be free of watermarks.
This Saturday, September 24th, the Ohio Garrison will be participating in two very cool, very high profile events. Troopers from The Ohio Garrison will be appearing alongside Columbus’s own professional soccer team, The Columbus Crew, for "Blackout The Galaxy" night. "Blackout the Galaxy" is an annual promotional platform for the Crew's game again the LA Galaxy, featuring soccer superstars David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Juan Pablo Angel. This year they are going with a Star Wars theme and branding the night: "Episode V: Embrace the Dark Side,” and requested that the 501st appear in Force to support them. We of course, were only too happy to oblige.
Meanwhile, at the same time another detachment of our members, augmented by some reinforcements from the Great Lakes Garrison, will also be appearing at Jacob’s Field with the Cleveland Indians as they participate in an official LFL Star Wars night. These troopers are participating in a twofold mission. Their appearance is both to celebrate and promote the Saga’s release on Blu Ray, as well as raising awareness and donations for the “Stand Up For Cancer” charity.
In the words of Lord Vader, “This will be a day long remembered.”
This Saturday, September 17th, the Ohio Garrison will be in attendance at The Cincinnati Comic Expo as the convention celebrates its second year by moving to a new, larger venue, the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati. You will be able to find the Ohio Garrison’s display table on the third floor of the convention center, in the fan table area by the entrance to the comic expo.
For more info check out the Cincinnati Comic expo’s website, or on Facebook:
Fan Mail The 501st Legion frequently receives letters of thanks from adoring fans or grateful parents of sick children, but every so often we are granted a peek inside the wonderful imagination of a young fan through a simple drawing that takes many of us back...
Jacob French (TK-6283) Completes 3,000 Mile 'Trooper Trek'! Jacob French, TK-6283 of the Terror Australis Garrison, has completed his 3,000 mile trek across Australia! He made the entire journey wearing his stormtrooper armor and was armed only with a buggy to carry his supplies. During his 'Trooper Trek',...
DK Publishing Donates $95,000 in Books on Behalf of 501st New York, NY, April 10, 2012: DK Publishing announced today a $95,000 children’s book donation on behalf of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion, two all-volunteer organizations of Star Wars™ costume enthusiasts who raise money for children’s...
Blahozelania to Outpost Slovakia! Please join the 501st Legion in congratulating the newest Outpost of the Legion: "Outpost Slovakia!" Its formation was approved by the Legion Council in a unanimous vote. We wish them all the best during their probation period, and years of...
Longfin Rises from Redback! Congratulations to the members of the 501st Legion's newest unit, Longfin Squad! Longfin Squad is the first Squad for the Redback Garrison, and encompasses the Gold Coast and environs region of Australia. Go swimming with sharks yourself by being...
Artists Worldwide Rally to Help Sick Child, Princess Leah Leah Esquenazi, one-year-old daughter of long time Star Wars fans Zev and Francesca Esquenazi, is suffering from a mitochondrial disease that gives her seizures, fevers, infections, and worse. There are few treatments for her and no known cures. She...
Two Kevins and a Lightsaber Honorary Member Kevin Smith, filmmaker of Clerks fame, recently struck a deal with the AMC television network to produce a new weekly reality show called Comic Book Men . The program centers around the fanboy culture of Smith's own New Jersey-based...
2011 Charity Totals Updated to $11.8 Million US At the beginning of 2012, the 501st Legion reported an estimated total of $5.8 million US dollars in funds raised for charity for the previous year. Because figures were still trickling in from various 501st units around the world, the amount actually...
12th Annual Crystal Ball raises over $230,000 for charity. On Saturday January 21st over fifty costumed members of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion helped the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi raise over $230,000 dollars for the Foundation's operating costs, with over $217,000 given away to...
501st Twitter Nominated for a Shorty Award The Shorty Awards honor the best producers of short content on social media channels, and the 501st Legion's very own official Twitter account was nominated for recognition in the "Charity" category. Do you follow the 501st on Twitter? If...
Event Name: Pickerington Public Library Star Wars Day
Venue: Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, Pickerington OH
Event start: 2 PM
Click here for more details
Event Name: St. Pius X Make a Wish Fundraiser Festival
Venue: St. Pius X School, 1061 Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg, OH
Event start: 12:30 PM
Click here for more details
