Wondercon 2016 - Day 2

Today was Day 2 of Wondercon 2016, and we started the day right with a healthy breakfast of donuts, courtesy of Mike Senna and Michael McMaster.



Yesterday's booth location was a bit cramped, so we swapped booths to get a corner, and a little more area to roam.



Mike Senna brought BB-8, and set up a photo op area with Dan Johnson's R2 along a nearby wall.




Our booth was busy all day, as usual.






The main lobby of the convention center was a continuous hive of activity.




R2 and I stopped by Ashley Eckstein's Her Universe booth for some fun.





At 7:00pm, we wrapped up for the day, and it was time to head out to dinner. More donuts perhaps?



One more day.

Wondercon 2016 - Day 1

Today kicked of Wondercon 2016 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where I met up with several of my R2 building buddies to help spread merriment.



I arrived around 9:30am for a noon show opening. Ed and Gene helped set up the booth.



After that was done, I took a walk around to see some of the displays that were being put in place.





Around 11:30am, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti held a convention kick-off press conference, welcoming Wondercon to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the first time. R2 was asked to participate for a post-conference photo with the mayor and some of the costumed characters.






After that, it was back up to the booth, and pics, pics, pics! The kids loved the droids.






Baby-8! Kayla Miyamoto has outgrown her baby predator costume, but William and Nikki came up with a great droid alternative, complete with thumbs-up flame.



Everyone had a good time, and we're looking forward to Day 2 and even more droids!

Yellow Ribbon Event to Support the Troops

Today R2 joined members of the 501st and Rebel Legions to help support the troops with their Yellow Ribbon event in Costa Mesa, CA.



The Yellow Ribbon Program promotes the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Today's event was filled with families preparing to send their loved ones off to deployment, or in other cases receiving their loved ones back from deployment. A couple people from the military families (Princess Leia and Yoda) even joined us in costume.

By request, R2 arrived earlier than the other characters, and visited several childrens activity rooms. (I didn't take pictures of those.) The kids had a great time meeting R2 and interacting with him.

A short time later, R2 was joined by the other characters, where we went into a large ballroom, for our introduction and photo ops.





The characters also presided over an amusing game of musical chairs, set to Star Wars music. There were separate competitions for kids and adults, and each was entertaining for its own reasons.



After, we posed for a few more photos, and then wrapped up.



It was a great event and I hope that we get to do another one in the future.

Pacific Symphony's Family Concert

Today R2 joined several members of the 501st Legion to help entertain guests at the Pacific Symphony's Family Concert at Segerstrom Hall, in Costa Mesa, CA.



There were two shows, and we were to appear before the first show and after the second show. The characters suited up, and we took the elevator down to the main lobby area to greet the guests.



It was pics, pics, pics as people posed with R2 and the other characters.




The lobby area was two stories tall, and quite wide and open.



The guests were also treated to music and activities.




Once the first show was about to start, we retreated back to our changing area and hung out and took more pictures.



A little before the second show let out, we made our return appearance and took more pictures with the guests.




Everyone had a good time, and we were given vouchers to attend a summer performance.

Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser

Today my R2-D2 and I joined Paul Thompson and his R2-D1, and several members of the 501st and Rebel Legions to help raise funds for Ronald McDonald House charities. The event was held in Manhattan Beach, CA, at the Marriott hotel.



We did photo ops, and each photo raised $5.00 for the charity.



They provided a break room for us upstairs. This was the room next to our break room. Although the sign says No Smoking, I have a feeling there was smoking going on in there.



After the photo-op session, there was a charity auction of donated items and memorabilia. About 100 people were in attendance.



One of the items up for auction: An autographed picture of Michael McMaster, along with a PEZ R2-D2!



This ended up going for... $130.00! (Paul dropped out of the bidding at $125. :) )

The event ended up raising thousands of dollars for this worthy charity, and everyone had a good time.

Make-A-Wish for Noah

Today R2 joined members of the 501st and Rebel Legions to help grant a wish to Noah, via Make-A-Wish.



R2 and I had met Noah back in May of 2008. It took me a few minutes to recall.



The characters were ensconced in a garage, for a surprise appearance for Noah and guests.



When everyone outside was ready, we opened the garage door and surprised all the guests!




Besides our appearance, Make-A-Wish also presented Noah with a new electric guitar and amplifier. Noah has grown quite a bit from that 2008 visit.



We hung around for a couple hours, posing for photos with Noah and the guests, before we wrapped up.



It was a nice visit, and I'm always happy to help Make-A-Wish whenever possible.