Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL
August 20, 2006
Story by Chris Spice (Darth Spice)
Photos by Chris Spice (Darth Spice) and Chris Rhoads (dustrho)
THE EMPIRE TAKE
OVER THE ZOO There
couldn’t have possibly been a better weather forecast for the
Zoo
Stars Parade today at the
Brookfield Zoo. With temperatures in the
mid 80s, how could I pass up an opportunity to get out again with
the Midwest Garrison? The Zoo Stars Parade is a celebration of the
animals held over two weekends in August. The animal for our day was
Leopards; however getting costumed personnel from three separate
factions was not nearly as fast as our animal representative. As
members poured in from the 501st Legion,
Rebel Legion and
the Jedi
Assembly, the locker room atmosphere was very jovial for so many
members of either side of the force being in the same place at the
same time! The stars of Star Wars were well represented, with so
many different characters. Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, Luke
Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia and of course all the
Troops and Jedi to even out the balance. There were Tusken Raiders,
a pair of Royal Guards, a thrice of Kamino Clone children and even a
very well put together R2-D2. One half of the Droids we are looking
for!
There
were literally too many characters to mention. There was even a Snow
Padme Amidala and our agents on site spotted a Clone Trooper escort.
The Chicago Cultural Center Dragon Dancers were on point, the three
Star Wars groups were in the middle of the block long plus parade
and the South Shore Drill Team was left to ooh and ah the people in
our wake! The Brookfield Zoo is one of the largest in the Chicago
land area and to be quite honest I really expected to be walking a
lot longer. From start to finish it couldn’t have been more than a
half hour. As I mentioned earlier you really couldn’t have picked a
nicer day to be outside, even in armor. Marching alongside dustrho,
handing out temporary tattoos to children who waved alongside the
path were mere fringe benefits. At the end of the parade we posed
for a few more group photos but I had the feeling everyone else was
just as eager to get out of our gear as well. It seemed to take
longer to get ready than to do the actual event!
At
a place like that you could be there until sundown being asked for
photos, not that I really would mind that but it was starting to get
a bit uncomfortable. I quickly suited down and had another benefit
of spending a few good hours with my wife and children walking
around the Zoo. It was really good to see how many of the other
members had family with them as well. Our Jr. S.C.A.L.P. Weapons
Supplier will be moving up to B.F.G. training very soon! It’s
strange, because even though there is so much Star Wars involved, in
an odd way feels like family. I’ve been a very active member for
well over a year now, and many are becoming very good friends. I
can’t put into words the honor it is to serve the Legion. To see the
smiles of not only my own, but so many children, wherever we go. I’d
like to thank all of the members, from every group that took time
out to make the day so special. Especially to Phyllis Schulte
who did a simply magnificent job of coordinating the event. Thanks
to our friends at the Brookfield Zoo for having us out, we look
forward very much to our next mission.
PHOTO GALLERY To see the photo gallery
containing 34 photos click
here.
There
couldn’t have possibly been a better weather forecast for the
There
were literally too many characters to mention. There was even a Snow
Padme Amidala and our agents on site spotted a Clone Trooper escort.
The Chicago Cultural Center Dragon Dancers were on point, the three
Star Wars groups were in the middle of the block long plus parade
and the South Shore Drill Team was left to ooh and ah the people in
our wake! The Brookfield Zoo is one of the largest in the Chicago
land area and to be quite honest I really expected to be walking a
lot longer. From start to finish it couldn’t have been more than a
half hour. As I mentioned earlier you really couldn’t have picked a
nicer day to be outside, even in armor. Marching alongside dustrho,
handing out temporary tattoos to children who waved alongside the
path were mere fringe benefits. At the end of the parade we posed
for a few more group photos but I had the feeling everyone else was
just as eager to get out of our gear as well. It seemed to take
longer to get ready than to do the actual event!
At
a place like that you could be there until sundown being asked for
photos, not that I really would mind that but it was starting to get
a bit uncomfortable. I quickly suited down and had another benefit
of spending a few good hours with my wife and children walking
around the Zoo. It was really good to see how many of the other
members had family with them as well. Our Jr. S.C.A.L.P. Weapons
Supplier will be moving up to B.F.G. training very soon! It’s
strange, because even though there is so much Star Wars involved, in
an odd way feels like family. I’ve been a very active member for
well over a year now, and many are becoming very good friends. I
can’t put into words the honor it is to serve the Legion. To see the
smiles of not only my own, but so many children, wherever we go. I’d
like to thank all of the members, from every group that took time
out to make the day so special. Especially to Phyllis Schulte
who did a simply magnificent job of coordinating the event. Thanks
to our friends at the Brookfield Zoo for having us out, we look
forward very much to our next mission.