Carolina Garrison

Date:
April 2-3

Location:
TD Convention Center

Description of Event (Please share as much info as you can):
Last week several Garrison members, in conjunction with the Mando Mercs spread the good word of the Empire at SC Comicon.
We had a small but hearty group and a gaggle of Mercs and Merc recruits. Our booth was smaller than it was last year but the congoers seemed to have fun regardless. I would like to thank David Jordan for letting us borrow his table runner and a few other goodies to help bring the booth together and to all the Garrison members who trooped with us and those who were at the con with other groups.

Did this event support a charity? If yes, which charity?:
We took Make-A-Wish donations on saturday, I will have to get with David on the totals for that.

Event Length (Hours):
Saturday 10-6
Sunday 12-6

Direct Funds Raised? (Money raised directly by the Carolina Garrison):(delete this section if not applicable)

Carolina Garrison Members in Attendance:
1. TC-11988 Matthew Medford-Animated Clonetrooper
2. SL-1876 Thomas Spanos- Darth Bane
3. TI-50181 John Wages - 181st Tie Pilot
4. TK-71063 Teddy Hatcher- ANH Stunt Stormtrooper
5. TK-14082 Charles Roller- ANH Stunt Stormtrooper

Handlers:
1.
2.

Crossover Attendees from the Rebel Legion / R2 Builders Club / Mando Mercs:(delete this section if not applicable)
1. Kevin Prahl
2. Kat Merchant
3. Kathleen Schreiner
4.
5.

Check out some of the event photos below: (please post pictures rather than picture links)
I will post these when I collect a few more.

This was my first Comicon ever. I jokingly say I “sorta” went to comicon because I didn’t actually get to see much of it. My first order of business was to get to the 501st table. It was not to be. We were mobbed by fans before we got halfway down the first aisle. Someone stopped us to ask for a photo. When I looked around, a line had started to form. We finally moved another 30 feet and the same thing happened. An hour and a half later, we made it to the 501st table. I am so thankful for my wife who helped manage the crowd and keep things in order. Here are a few pictures...

Getting ready in the parking lot.


Making the long walk to the convention center.


Steps going up to the main entrance... Lots of steps!


The mobbing by fans started immediately! We must have taken a thousand pictures. Here’s just a few...








This one is probably my favorite. These little guys wouldn’t get their picture made unless they could hold my hand.






Time to break out the heavy firepower...


And make an example of line breakers! (Yes, the line you see going all the way to the front is our picture line.)


By the time I made it to the 501st table, I was parched. My tongue was literally sticking to the roof of my mouth. The lovely Mrs. TK-14082 was kind enough to get me a bottle of cold water. I got to meet some of the Legion’s finest and relax a little, but my break would be short lived...






This guy wanted to take a picture for a sick friend, so I held a sign for him.


Junior troopers.


Of course, there were other cool things to see at the con... Like the BATMOBILE!


And a host of colorful costumed characters!




Who ya gonna call?


I can’t abide those Jawas! Disgusting creatures!


When it was time to leave, I thought I would see a little of the con on the way out. I left my bucket off, thinking I would not get stopped for pictures. Wrong. I’m not complaining, I was just overwhelmed by the impact wearing a Legion costume had in this setting. Exhausted, I picked up a decal and a comicon t-shirt and called it a day. So much fun!

(This was also posted on FISD.)

I want to thank you and Teddy for coming out to join us! Let me know in advance if yall be there next year and I will definitely get a couple badges for yall.

And seriously, wearing a Legion costume to a con means youll be swarmed for pics all day. Last year Jerry and I had a line of people for the better part of an hour.

Thanks. We will be sure to let you know next time. It was nice to meet all of you.

Looks like a good time!

Great pictures. And nice table setup. Looks like it was a good crowd there that weekend.

Someone linked me a news video that said they easily had over 10,000 attendees this year. David and I are already talking about ways to get together a bigger crowd next year.
And thanks to everyone again for helping pull this off, I am glad we got it together in time.

I enjoyed it & look forward to more meaningful events (charities).
These are great for pr & awareness.

I hope my wonky schedule fits many more events!

Any update on the charity total?

Has there been any update on the charitable donation? Thanks.