(SC) Feb. 20-21 - 8th Annual Captains Comic & Toy Expo(Mt.P)
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:42 pm
Well, another successful Captains Comic and Toy Expo has come and gone. This was the fourth year in a row that the Carolina Garrison has participated at this great 2-day Expo filled with comics, toys, art, costuming, special guests, and more.
This was a very fun weekend but was definitely tiring. Seeing the smiles on the attendees faces was all worth it though. The weekend began late Friday afternoon when we had a 2 hour load-in to setup our two display tables and Chris Gould's Death Star Wall backdrop. This wall was adorned on either side by 501st Legion vertical banners supplied by myself and Rusty Myers (TK-65900) as well as a 2'-0"x2'-0" Carolina Garrison logo printed out on corrugated sign stock.
We were given a very large space on a stage that overlooked the entire Expo all weekend. A prime location with excellent flow of foot traffic. One table we had, helped with advertising the 501st Legion, trading cards, activity booklets and more. We treated this table as a spot to "recruit" interested parties about the 501st Legion and what we do. As per usual, I place a "sign up" sheet for potential members to receive info on joining up. We got one full sign-sheet by the end of the first day.
Our second table was used for displaying props and helmets from local Charleston-area members. We even featured my incompleted RotJ Royal Guard helmet to give guests a sense of what a "work in progress" looks like.
Having members come together from out of town, as well as local members, was a great time. I'd like to give a BIG thank you to Anthony Conte and Jordan Leitner for coming in from Asheville, NC on Saturday (Feb. 20) as well as Michael Buepre for driving in from Myrtle Beach, SC on (Feb. 21). It was great spending time with all of you.
On Saturday afternoon, Anthony Conte and I hosted an hour long 501st Legion panel with a Q&A session to a small room of about 25-30 guests. We even had (2) in the crowd who were currently researching and/or beginning to build gear to join the ranks.
During the Captains Comic and Toy Expo, multiple vendors, the Carolina Garrison and of course, Captains Comics and Toys raised money for the local Lowcountry Orphan Relief. This trooping event involved Direct and Indirect Funds during the weekend. I can report that the Carolina Garrison helped to raise $97.00 of the overall $1600 total raised during the 2-day Expo.
______________________________________________________________________
Garrison Troopers in Attendance (Saturday, Feb. 20)
1. Rusty Myers (TK)
2. Chris Gould (TB)
3. Stuart Eaker (IG)
4. Taylor Seay (TB)
5. JP Morgan (TI-r)
6. Anthony Conte (TI)
7. Jordan Leitner (TI)
8. Brad Lee (TI)
9. Jason Boyd (TD)
Rebel Legion / R2 Builders Club Crossover Attendees (Saturday, Feb. 20)
1. Caroline Boyd (Endor Leia - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
2. Ellen Myers (Endor Rebel - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
3. Jeffrey Lewis (Han Solo - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
4. Edward Reed & R2D2 (Honorary Friend of the Garrison)
______________________________________________________________________
Garrison Troopers in Attendance (Sunday, Feb. 21)
1. Jason Boyd (DZ)
2. Michael Buepre (TS)
3. Chris Gould (TB)
4. Taylor Seay (TB)
5. Caroline Boyd (ID)
6. Ronnie Boyd (TI)
7. JP Morgan (TI-r)
Rebel Legion / R2 Builders Club Crossover Attendees (Sunday, Feb. 21)
1. Brad Butler (X-Wing Pilot - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
2. Edward Reed & R2D2 (Honorary Friend of the Garrison)
I would also like to give a BIG thank you to our weekend handler / table attendant (and setup / breakdown helper):
1. Marty Harkin
______________________________________________________________________
Enjoy this cool event video that Jordan Leitner put together...
https://www.magisto.com/int/video/LFASJ ... sm&o=i&c=m" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here are some mixed photos from both days of the Expo. Thanks again to everyone who was able to come out and take part in this fun event. It really feels like family when we are all hanging out together.
Once it was all said and done, it was time to break down and clean up. Thanks to everyone who helped load out the gear as well.
This was a very fun weekend but was definitely tiring. Seeing the smiles on the attendees faces was all worth it though. The weekend began late Friday afternoon when we had a 2 hour load-in to setup our two display tables and Chris Gould's Death Star Wall backdrop. This wall was adorned on either side by 501st Legion vertical banners supplied by myself and Rusty Myers (TK-65900) as well as a 2'-0"x2'-0" Carolina Garrison logo printed out on corrugated sign stock.
We were given a very large space on a stage that overlooked the entire Expo all weekend. A prime location with excellent flow of foot traffic. One table we had, helped with advertising the 501st Legion, trading cards, activity booklets and more. We treated this table as a spot to "recruit" interested parties about the 501st Legion and what we do. As per usual, I place a "sign up" sheet for potential members to receive info on joining up. We got one full sign-sheet by the end of the first day.
Our second table was used for displaying props and helmets from local Charleston-area members. We even featured my incompleted RotJ Royal Guard helmet to give guests a sense of what a "work in progress" looks like.
Having members come together from out of town, as well as local members, was a great time. I'd like to give a BIG thank you to Anthony Conte and Jordan Leitner for coming in from Asheville, NC on Saturday (Feb. 20) as well as Michael Buepre for driving in from Myrtle Beach, SC on (Feb. 21). It was great spending time with all of you.
On Saturday afternoon, Anthony Conte and I hosted an hour long 501st Legion panel with a Q&A session to a small room of about 25-30 guests. We even had (2) in the crowd who were currently researching and/or beginning to build gear to join the ranks.
During the Captains Comic and Toy Expo, multiple vendors, the Carolina Garrison and of course, Captains Comics and Toys raised money for the local Lowcountry Orphan Relief. This trooping event involved Direct and Indirect Funds during the weekend. I can report that the Carolina Garrison helped to raise $97.00 of the overall $1600 total raised during the 2-day Expo.
______________________________________________________________________
Garrison Troopers in Attendance (Saturday, Feb. 20)
1. Rusty Myers (TK)
2. Chris Gould (TB)
3. Stuart Eaker (IG)
4. Taylor Seay (TB)
5. JP Morgan (TI-r)
6. Anthony Conte (TI)
7. Jordan Leitner (TI)
8. Brad Lee (TI)
9. Jason Boyd (TD)
Rebel Legion / R2 Builders Club Crossover Attendees (Saturday, Feb. 20)
1. Caroline Boyd (Endor Leia - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
2. Ellen Myers (Endor Rebel - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
3. Jeffrey Lewis (Han Solo - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
4. Edward Reed & R2D2 (Honorary Friend of the Garrison)
______________________________________________________________________
Garrison Troopers in Attendance (Sunday, Feb. 21)
1. Jason Boyd (DZ)
2. Michael Buepre (TS)
3. Chris Gould (TB)
4. Taylor Seay (TB)
5. Caroline Boyd (ID)
6. Ronnie Boyd (TI)
7. JP Morgan (TI-r)
Rebel Legion / R2 Builders Club Crossover Attendees (Sunday, Feb. 21)
1. Brad Butler (X-Wing Pilot - Rebel Legion / Blue Ridge Base)
2. Edward Reed & R2D2 (Honorary Friend of the Garrison)
I would also like to give a BIG thank you to our weekend handler / table attendant (and setup / breakdown helper):
1. Marty Harkin
______________________________________________________________________
Enjoy this cool event video that Jordan Leitner put together...
https://www.magisto.com/int/video/LFASJ ... sm&o=i&c=m" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here are some mixed photos from both days of the Expo. Thanks again to everyone who was able to come out and take part in this fun event. It really feels like family when we are all hanging out together.
Once it was all said and done, it was time to break down and clean up. Thanks to everyone who helped load out the gear as well.
