Star Wars troopers to pace ascendancy Pasadena

Mobile into Mark Fordham's Provo at rest, you would never recognize he was a "Star Wars" kernel.

Expert are no figurines or movie posters or other giveaways.

But if you challenge nicely, he might condign appearance you his beginning ticket stubs to the aboriginal " Star Wars " movie released influence 1977.

Oh, and professional is the $2,400 Darth Vader garb influence his closet.

Fordham is the commanding big wheel of the 501st Legion, an international Star Wars stone aggregation that does charitable bullwork dressed influence homemade movie-level costumes. Local chapters, called garrisons or outposts, are agency all 50 states and 42 other countries, he oral.

He will sway 200 Imperial Stormtroopers command the Bittersweet Bowl Parade on New Allotment's Allotment, blot out " Star Wars " creator George Lucas able because grand marshal.

" This is a tremendous break for the legion. Real's a tremendous thank you from George Lucas to his fans, " Fordham spoken.

LucasFilm is footing the bill for the broadest crowd awfully of 501st members, bury 36 states and 22 countries providing the participants. They will walk down Colorado Advance agency Pasadena, Calif., to au courant arrangements of John Williams'movie harmonization played by the 176-apportionment Grambling State University Marching Tigers. The parade will serve due to a beginning for the 30th anniversary of " Star Wars " this May.

Before becoming the elected bellwether of the entire Legion, Fordham, who was a police baton for 20 dotage and is working toward becoming a freelance performer, served because the commanding baton of the Alpine Defend, which serves Utah, Idaho and Montana.

Twin brothers Shane and Shawn Gordon, 36, are members of the protect, and again will walk character the Red Bowl Parade.

Shane Gordon, who lives command Ogden, will stride for one of the 200 stormtroopers allotment Shawn Gordon, who lives influence Preston, Idaho, will represent the by oneself Darth Misuse access the parade.

The two joined the Alpine Defend agency 2003, and posses participated character dozens of events, raising almighty dollar for groups like because Toys for Tots and participating ascendancy granting wishes for the Accomplish-A-Choice Foundation, Shawn Gordon uttered.

The two often appear fundraising events for charities because apportionment of the defend, and when LucasFilm present appeal for footage of stormtroopers marching influence July, Shane Gordon donned his midpoint $1, 000 costume and got in front of a camcorder.

" They didn't tell us why they wanted the three-minute videos, but I knew it would be for something big, " he said.

He got word in October he would be participating in the parade, and then the call went out for other characters.

Shawn Gordon, whose other hobby is special effects makeup artistry, donned his elaborate, handmade $800 Darth Maul costume-replete with yellow and black contacts and horns-submitted photos, and was asked to march as well.

" Shane's an uberfan, I'm just a basic fan, " Shawn Gordon said. " But I am totally excited. "

Sharon Hertzig of Logan also will march in the parade. She could not be reached for comment.

The 501st Legion features only the bad guys from the films. Its sister organization, the Rebel Legion, features the good guys, a few of whom were tapped to ride on the two floats accompanying the marchers. One float will feature three women dressed as Princess Amidala in ceremonial gowns on a float of her home planet of Naboo.

The second float is of the Forest Moon of Endor, where four Ewoks will hold a sign saying " Save Our Forest " to meet with the parade's theme of " Our Good Nature. "

The marchers are meeting four days before the parade in order to go through a marching boot camp in order to meld international marching styles.

The practice also will help the stormtroopers tolerate marching the 5 1/2 miles in their 20-pound costumes while wearing vision-restrictive helmets. The only full dress rehearsal will be the day before the parade.

Fordham and the Gordons are ready to put in the work, and look forward to future events with the Alpine Garrison.

" There are different kinds of Star Wars fans. Some are into gaming, others the books and comics and others are into collecting. This club focuses on costuming and charity, " Shawn Gordon said. " It allows us to express our geekiness in the most positive way. "

December 29, 2006