501st Legion
By Kimberly Warren
Something “Out of this World” is coming to the Bedford County Agricultural Center Saturday. Members of the 501st Legion costuming group will be bringing favorite characters from the Star Wars Films to life from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Included in the characters who will be greeting guests are a fully functional R2-D2, Queen Amidala, Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Princess Leia, Episode III Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knights, snowtroopers, sandtroopers, Count Dooku and more.
501st, the world’s definitive imperial costuming group, is a non-profit international organization that lends help to charity events. Also known as “Vader’s Fist” the organization founded in 1997 has become the “leading force in fan-based events and is dedicated to brightening the lives of those less fortunate,” according to its website.
In conjunction with Celebration Pet Day, hosted by the Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association, members of the Southern Outpost Garrison, made up of 501st Legionnaires from Ala, Ky., Miss., and Tenn. will be supporting the cause by meeting the public as they arrive. Guests may bring cameras to have photos made with favorite characters, but are asked for a small donation. Photographs can also be made for those without their own cameras.
Geoff Fults, a local 501st member, will be in his costume as Stormtrooper TK 4238. Fults, better known to his friends as “Loki”, has been a member of the Legion since 2002 as a result of stumbling across the group accidentally when looking for a Halloween costume that year.
Now, he travels during his off time from work to different towns helping with all types of charity events.
“I’ve traveled pretty much everywhere from Ohio to Florida,” said Fults.
Most recently he and members of his group were in Nashville for a “Make-a-Wish” event. They will be at the Nashville Zoo for Halloween, helping the Marines in some areas with “Toys for Tots” starting in November, and will participate in the Hendersonville parade Dec. 2.
"Being in costume helps with an event because people are more likely to take notice and participate in an event", said Fults.
“Usually people will see us and go and buy a toy just because we are there,” he said of his work with “Toys for Tots.”
In 2005, Legion members were at the premier of Star Wars Episode III at the Montana Drive-In Movie Theatre in Estill Springs. The response was so overwhelming that traffic was backed up on both sides of the highway for two miles. Later that year, members were scheduled to be at the Shelbyville Christmas Parade, but it was canceled due to the weather.
Fults said he enjoys being a part of the group because it is moving to see the delight in the eyes of the children.
One of the events Fults said really touched him was when participating in a “Make-a-Wish” party for a 17-year-old in February 2005, prior to the release of Episode III in May.
“All he wanted to do was see the last (Star Wars) movie, so we had a big party for him in case he didn’t make it. He was able to see the movie, but passed away one month later,” said Fults.
As a result of participating in the 501st Fults has witnessed many parents becoming involved after their children visited with the group.
This will be the first event for the 501st in Shelbyville. Fults said he is glad to be contributing to an event in his home town.
The purpose of the group is to “celebrate the Star Wars movies through wearing of costumes and props, and most importantly to contribute to the local community through charity and volunteer work,” according to the 501st website.
The only requirement for membership is “ownership” of a costume celebrating the Imperial characters from the Star Wars films or its expanded universe. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to be a listed member and a minimum activity level must be met each year.
To learn more about the group visit www.501st.com.
To find out more about the upcoming event Oct. 14 at the Agricultural Center visit http://celebrationpetday.blogspot.com.
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