‘Star Wars’ fans flood library for creative fun

• By MARK H. HUNTER
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Oct 19, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Pandemonium broke out at the Jones Creek Regional Library Saturday afternoon when, during the second annual “Star Wars” Costume Fan Day, dozens of boys and a few girls began attacking each other with toy swords.

While the scene was exciting to participants and observers alike, nobody was hurt because the “light sabers” the kids were using to whomp one another were actually made of yard-long lengths of flexible foam swimming pool “noodles.”

By the end of the day, more than 150 children and parents had participated in six different activities related to the “Star Wars” movies
in three library meeting rooms and watched several episodes of the latest animated “Clone Wars” series now showing on the Cartoon Network.

The event was sponsored by two local “Star Wars” re-enacting/fan groups, the Red Stick Rebellion Collectors Club and the Louisiana Bast Alpha Garrison of the 501st Legion.

“This is a lot better turnout than last year when we had about 100 people,” said Tommy Chaisson, who also adopts the persona of Obi Wan Kenobi.

“We coordinate this with the library because we want kids to get excited about ‘Star Wars’ and also come to the library to read and check out books.”

Jordan Lesley, 8, dressed as a very young Anakin Skywalker, and his father (wearing street clothes) were there because they were having a father-son time together and because they each really like the “Star Wars” movies and accompanying memorabilia.

“When I saw the first movie I was 13 years old and always liked ‘Star Wars,’ and so does he,” Scott Lesley said.

“My team won first place in the trivia contest,” Jordan Lesley added.

Other activities included Lego building contests, coloring contests, and Clone Trooper bowling, where participants rolled a kick-ball into a display of plastic bottles painted in the likeness of Storm Troopers. The light saber-building course was where, on more than one occasion, the mock swordplay broke out.

Dozens of the kids, many wearing “Star Wars” costumes, received a personalized light saber lesson from a fully grown Anakin Skywalker, played by Wayne Dupree, and then got to cross sabers with a  6-foot-4 Darth Vader, played by Gary Breaux.

Several white armor-clad Storm Troopers patrolled the hallway and a unique Louisiana version of Boba Fett, a mercenary who hunts the Jedi knights in several of the movies, also posed for photos with fans.

Rodney Grundmeyer, a Mandeville police officer in real life, modified Boba Fett’s armored space suit and helmet into LSU gold and purple complete with “eye of the Tiger” emblems.