WonderCon 2024 - Day 3

WonderCon Day 3 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Come for the donuts, stay for the convention.



Once again, no droids were stolen overnight; they were in their conga line, just as we left them last night.



Bobby Clark, who played Gorn in the original Star Trek series, got a visit from the droids.



We did a droid parade each day. Around the midpoint of the parade, there was a large area where the droids could go nuts.



I warned that porg two days ago to watch out for the dinosaur!



IG-11 was standing on his own two feet, with Grogu at the controls.



I didn't take too many pictures today, and I spent some time roaming the convention floor for the first time, so I wasn't at the booth the whole day. Still, it was good to see everyone and their droids, and I think the droids were a hit with the attendees. I'm not sure which convention will be the next one my droid attends, but I'm sure it'll be here before I know it.

WonderCon 2024 - Day 2

Today was day 2 at WonderCon at the Anaheim Convention Center, and I had the sacred task of bringing the donuts.



The droids were still in the booth after their overnight stay, so that was good, and we set them up.



I thought Chris Romines was joking, but apparently we actually had reserved seating passes to our panel (haha). I always worry that the panelists will outnumber the audience.



The doors opened at 10am, and we started getting visitors. Well, WALL•E did, at least.



R2 came by to visit R2.



As did the Easter Bunny.



If some stormtroopers come to the door, do not answer.



Meanwhile, the booth was getting busier.



The Jedi and Sith had a turf war on the adjacent aisle.



A dragon visited R2, but he was unafraid.



Our favorite Jawa, Leilani Shiu, paid a visit to the booth.



As did Science Bob, Bob Pflugfelder.



Ahsoka and Mando (and Grogu)!



At 4:15pm, we headed upstairs for our 5pm panel on droid building.

What, cancelled? Oh, they cancelled the panel after ours. Good, more time for us!



We gathered the droids for a group picture before going in room 207.



I took a picture as the audience filed in. It was reasonably well attended.



We got started and I took a picture of the panelists. Other photos were lifted (without permission...) from Cary and Susi Christie, and Amy Senna.



After the panel, we returned to the show floor and got a group picture with everyone and our droids.



One more day.

WonderCon 2024 - Day 1

Today was day #1 of WonderCon 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center, and the R2 Builders were there to represent.



Chris Romines, Ross Saggio, Gene Arena and I arrived around 6am and unloaded our droids.



The reason we arrived so early is we were asked by WonderCon if we could help with some media appearances starting at 7am, and we kindly obliged. The droids appeared on the local Fox affiliate KTTV in Los Angeles in four different hours. The first couple of appearances featured members of the Rebel Legion and 501st as well.



The third appearance only featured the droids and the four of us. I was interviewed for that segment.



Once we were done with that, we headed back to the booth to get ready for the 11:00am show opening. And what better way to get ready than with donuts, courtesy of the bearded one, Chris?



Paul Thompson debuted his new octopus droid (I really should know its proper name), as seen in the droid auction scene. We immediately put it to good use.



Larry Wilcox from CHiPs stopped by and chatted with real life law enforcement officer Mike Granek. (Eric Estrada was also present.) Mike was a big fan of Larry's so that was a fun encounter for him.



Once the show opened, it didn't take long for attendees to make their way to the back of the hall to find us.



Avoid standing on the west side of an east-bound dinosaur.



At 3pm I attended Ashley Eckstein's panel, with her husband David helping with the conversation. Ashley spotted me as she was arriving at the stage, and said, "I saw you on the news!" Haha, at least one person I know watched.



Heading back to our booth, we saw the human-sized porg we saw last year. Watch out for that dinosaur!



Everyone should have a Tusken Raider for when their legs are tired.



Some of the droids visited Sid Kroft, along with our favorite Disney+ Jawa Leilani Shiu and DJ Lance Rock. I'm not sure H.R. Pufinstuf approved though.



Baby Yoda, meet Yoda baby.



We had people by the booth all day long.



The show wrapped up for the day at 7pm, but we'll be back at it again tomorrow.

KABC-TV Spark of Love Toy Drive - 2023

Today R2 participated in KABC-TV's Spark of Love toy drive. We were there for the 3rd shift of the day at the Los Cerritos Center mall, from a little before 3pm until a little after 6pm. (The first shift started before 5am!)



R2 and I were joined by Walter Marconi and R2-LB, along with several members of the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion and Mandalorian Mercs.



Families in the area bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate, and they get to interact and take pictures with the Star Wars characters. During the newscast, there are regular reports from the event that showcase the Star Wars characters and other volunteers, including companies that donate a lot of toys, and local fire and police department representatives.

Some evidence:



R2 checked in on the progress. So far, so good!



The event ended up filling 11 buses with toys. There were a few other identical events prior to this one, so lots of kids will be getting gifts.



Toward the end of the event, all of the volunteers gathered for a group shot for the final live report of the evening. Walter was capturing the live feed to the station from the TV truck, and our KABC-TV cameraman/friend/501st member Edgar made sure to the turn the camera to the support team as he walked by. I'm usually not this blurry in real life.



This is one of my favorite events because it helps bring some holiday happiness to those who might not otherwise get a gift, and it has immediate feedback to those watching the newscast, as they can come meet R2 and all the other characters. I hope to be back next year.