St Patrick's Day Parade 2009

This past Saturday I had the previlege of marching with the 501st Mountain Garrison, the Rocky Mountain Fan Force, and the X-Wing sponsored by Wings Over the Rockies. I bet you can't guess - OK, maybe you can. I was the tall Jawa. A little Jawa marched along side me and even practiced her "utinis" for the crowd. I can't tell you how much deep-down inner pride and joy I felt when the crowds (about 100,000 lining a couple miles) cheered for our very large group. When you see children's faces light up as you "high-five" them while marching down Main Street, well, my smile was just as big under all that black mask I wore. This is what all the Star Wars groups are about. Putting smiles on faces of children of all ages. My tears of joy are swelling up as I type this.

Since I was marching, I couldn't really take photos. These few here are my favorites from the http://www.mg501.com/ and the www.rmff.net websites photo galleries. I didn't record the parade on my VCR because I really didn't know which channel or time it was on. After the parade I kinda hit the bars for some green beer and fish/chips. Got home late wishing I hadn't drank so much, but glad I did. I needed an excuse to party....

Lends a new meaning to crowd control (my favorite pic so far).

Lord Vader lording over our parade float. Many pics of him on the news websites.

Of course, Artoo is the real hero of the parade. Sitting pretty atop the X-Wing.

The newly formed "KILT" patrol. They were in the back with me pumping up the crowd and making sure we kept pace with the rest of the parade (i.e. not getting run over by the X-Wing which was right behind us).

The RMFF group shot. Best pic of my jawa so far. Had to turn off the eyes to save battery life after this pic.

My little Jawa apprentice. Boy, could she yell "UTINI". She was great at working the crowds.

The GROUP shot. 501st MG, RMFF, WOTR X-Wing, and a couple of stragglers, like me.

This is what it was all about, and why I continue to do events with the SW fan clubs. I LOVE to see the kids smile. (and yes, he's wearing a black kilt).

Thanks to all our photographers. You can see more at www.mg501.com and www.rmff.net. And you can see me again next year.

Until next time,

Jawa Jaka