40th Anniversary Meetup - Research

[BigJasoni]

All,

I haven’t posted in a couple weeks, but my friend forwarded an article to me from the local paper. It kind of echoes my thoughts about involving local media. Here’s my quote, and then the shared article:

On 1/19/2023 at 3:09 PM, BigJasoni said:

The local news organizations would absolutely love notification of this trip. My guess is that the trip would be featured in the Lost Coast Outpost which is like the local source of information that everyone out there loves.

https://wildrivers.lostcoastoutpost.com/2023/jan/27/we-are-endor-film-commission-launches-survey-retur/

Lol. The Lost Coast Outpost.. I called that one.

So, looks like there’s some local events planned and they’re tentatively slated for the first week in June. However, as I discussed previously, the bulk of the Endor scenes were filmed up north near the Oregon border and it looks like that’s where they’re going to do some of the “festivities.” However, the most notable scenes, I.e. speeder bike/ Scout Trooper stardom, was in Cheatham Grove, so local event organizers appear to be trying to figure out a way to involve both counties and hit up both locations.

Also, just to clarify one of my earlier comments, the article mentions the clear cutting Mickey mentioned, but the locations filmed in the state parks are still there and well preserved (though none of the set pieces remain). 😆

So, I kind of knew the local media wouldn’t let any ROTJ events go unnoticed; this was one of the biggest things to ever hit our little piece of the world. Now might be the perfect time to start reaching out to the people/ organizations cited in the writing.

[BikerScout007]

I will call them today!  This may mean we have to change our date, so everyone should be prepared for that.  

[BikerScout007]

Update --

I have a message out to the Humboldt Film Commission.   If they are planning a weekend festival, then my feeling is to go along with that plan, and then let them request 501st via the Golden Gate Garrison

I have also spoken to the GCO of GGG.  GGG is planning a ROTJ meetup in April, but she said she would be happy to help out in June as well, particularly if this turns into a bigger thing, as the newspaper article suggests.  I told her April had been considered, but I didn't want to have a conflict with Celebration and all the expenses that entails.

So the 24th may be out -- it depends what the Film Commission and organizers up there say when I speak to them.  If they want 501st, then this may just turn into a regular troop through GGG.  That needs to be figured out.

Either way, we will be getting our photos!

[Greedo10360]

Watching with interest as we have a contingent of Cloud City biker scouts that want to make it down there for this event. Once a date is locked in, I'll post it up on our boards and spread the word as I think we can likely bring down around 6-12 scouts. Maybe even some TKs.

[Whistler]

Same here for Central California.  Maybe if GGG doesn’t have enough slots we can still plan to get enough scouts together?

[BikerScout007]

1 minute ago, Whistler said:

Same here for Central California.  Maybe if GGG doesn’t have enough slots we can still plan to get enough scouts together?

There's not going to be a limit in slots.  

[Whistler]

Thanks @BikerScout007, is anyone going to bring their 74 bike builds at all?

[BikerScout007]

37 minutes ago, Whistler said:

Thanks @BikerScout007, is anyone going to bring their 74 bike builds at all?

I've been talking to @MrPoopie about getting ours up there.  

[Whistler]

26 minutes ago, BikerScout007 said:

I've been talking to @MrPoopie about getting ours up there.  

Let me know if you guys need any help.  I can usually get a truck to haul stuff.  Been doing it for a long time.

[BikerScout007]

BIG UPDATE

Okay major thanks to @BigJasoni for bringing that article to my attention.  I had a nice conversation with the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commissioner, Cassandra Hesseltine.  She explained to me what they want to do and I offered up suggestions about how we could help.

I have also circled in the GGG GCO, Gynnie Lindquist, since this is going to be on her turf.

Cassandra explained to me that part of what the Film Commission does up there is promote tourism based on films that have been shot in the area.  And the big one, of course, is "Return of the Jedi."   Because it's the 40th anniversary this year, they are kicking off what they hope will be an annual celebration of that movie.

She explained to me that the area has been really hard hit by the pandemic, and the hotel and shop owners have really been hurting.  Based on other events in the area and what would be the best time for the locals to have this festival, the date they decided on was Saturday June 3rd.

I explained to her that our aim was to take a photo in the redwoods and we had already decided on June -- in our case June 24th.   But it seems like the best way we can use our power as a Force for good would be to move our meetup to June 3rd.  It would be a huge boon to the economy to have troopers from all over staying in the hotels and eating and shopping.  And it would kick off this inaugural festival in high gear.  

As I envision it, our involvement would be twofold:

1.  Our photo meetup at Cheatham Grove.  This is our reason for going and I don't see any reason to change that.  Cassandra said the Film Commission would definitely be on hand for this, as photos of us in the shooting locations would be great for their purposes.

• She mentioned to me, and I already knew thanks to Jason and Whistler, that Cheatham Grove is kinda in the middle of nowhere, parking is slim and there are no accommodations other than a campground.  So we would probably have to drive out there in the morning, meetup, do our pics, and then head back to where the festivities are held.

2.  An actual troop at wherever their festival ends up being.  So us walking around, taking pics, and being generally awesome like we always are.   Once we get these details worked out, I'll see if this can be a troop handled through GGG, where folks would sign up like they would for any other event.  

• The two things are mutually exclusive however!  If you want to do the pic but not troop, that is ALL GOOD.  I probably won't, just because I imagine I'll be busy doing admin stuff haha.  

Finally, Cassandra said she can find out what kind of group rates we can get for hotel stays.  Which I said would be awesome!

So if this is okay with everyone, for the reasons put forth in this post, I am proposing we change our date to June 3rd and participate in this awesome event that will help bring some needed money to that community and celebrate the love of Return of the Jedi!

[Hoda]

Oh gosh this is too exciting. Time to look into flights ...

[Aradun]

This is great Mickey and I love the tie in with helping the local community. I’m sure the event will be epic! Full steam ahead. Sadly I won’t be able to join the festivities due to my son graduating that weekend.

[Hoda]

This is great Mickey and I love the tie in with helping the local community. I’m sure the event will be epic! Full steam ahead. Sadly I won’t be able to join the festivities due to my son graduating that weekend.

Unacceptable! I'm going to drive over kidnap you (and your son) and we can do a cross country road trip

[BigJasoni]

Ugh... of all times to be living on the East Coast. I'll continue talking to my contacts in the local area and helping as much as possible, but actually making the trip is going to depend entirely on the price of flights and logistics. Unfortunately, it looks like my kids will still be in school that week, so I'll start figuring stuff out. Of course, I can't simply go out there for one day so who knows.

[BikerScout007]

That's a bummer.  I know this date is not as convenient for some (or else it would have been picked in the poll), but the Film Commissioner said the town's date is firm.  And this seems to be the best way we can help the community and be taken care of while we are up there.  

 

[Whistler]

I’m still down, so we know how many camping sites are available around the area?

[BikerScout007]

1 minute ago, Whistler said:

I’m still down, so we know how many camping sites are available around the area?

Cassandra said there was one by Cheatham Grove.   I'm going to stay in a hotel  

[BigJasoni]

58 minutes ago, BikerScout007 said:

That's a bummer.  I know this date is not as convenient for some (or else it would have been picked in the poll), but the Film Commissioner said the town's date is firm.  And this seems to be the best way we can help the community and be taken care of while we are up there.  

 

Absolutely understand; that's why I posted the info about the film commission to begin with. My family and I are working on a solution, but we'll know more after I finish our taxes. Lol.

Since everything's going on back home, we're trying to figure out a way to turn a one day photo shoot into a ten day mini-vacation visiting family. We'll see what happens, but this just gets cooler and cooler every time I think about it. I'll let you guys know as other stuff pans out.

On a separate note, I've been turned onto a great non-profit organization out there that is well respected throughout the community. I'm doing a little more research, but their mission sounds solid.
https://wildsoulsranch.org/

 

[BigJasoni]

2 minutes ago, Whistler said:

I’m still down, so we know how many camping sites are available around the area?

 

1 minute ago, BikerScout007 said:

Cassandra said there was one by Cheatham Grove.   I'm going to stay in a hotel  

The one near Cheatham Grove is Grizzly Creek State Park. They have 28 sites in the park and it's where I went camping constantly as a kid. There's others in the area, but Cheatham Grove is technically part of Grizzly Creek.

Like Mickey, if we make the trip, we'll be staying in a hotel. My wife is making plans for the Bear River Casino and Resort. My mom lives in a 1 bathroom 900 square foot home, so packing in my family of four may be a disaster.

[BikerScout007]

5 minutes ago, BigJasoni said:

 

The one near Cheatham Grove is Grizzly Creek State Park. They have 28 sites in the park and it's where I went camping constantly as a kid. There's others in the area, but Cheatham Grove is technically part of Grizzly Creek.

Like Mickey, if we make the trip, we'll be staying in a hotel. My wife is making plans for the Bear River Casino and Resort. My mom lives in a 1 bathroom 900 square foot home, so packing in my family of four may be a disaster.

Cassandra did say she will see what hotels are willing to give us a group rate too, so I will pass on the info when I get it!

[Greedo10360]

Unfortunately, the earlier date being during the school year will knock out at least a half dozen of the Cloud City crew. But I'll still spread the word to see who can make it down there as it sounds like it'll be a lot of fun!

[Cobja Mcyak]

What about Shore Troopers? Or is this strictly Biker Scouts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BikerScout007]

1 minute ago, Cobja Mcyak said:

What about Shore Troopers? Or is this strictly Biker Scouts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any and all will be welcome to come.  For our 40th Anniversary photos I imagine there will be:

1.  All ROTJ Scouts

2.  All Battle of Endor armors (Scouts, TKs, Officers, AT-ST drivers, Rebel Commandos, Ewoks, etc

3.  Everybody 

 

[MrPoopie]

This is all great news and very helpful to have Cassandra helping with this. I too will be staying in a hotel.

[EdwinG]

1 hour ago, BigJasoni said:

 

The one near Cheatham Grove is Grizzly Creek State Park. They have 28 sites in the park and it's where I went camping constantly as a kid. There's others in the area, but Cheatham Grove is technically part of Grizzly Creek.

Like Mickey, if we make the trip, we'll be staying in a hotel. My wife is making plans for the Bear River Casino and Resort. My mom lives in a 1 bathroom 900 square foot home, so packing in my family of four may be a disaster.

There is a group camping site at that location, haven’t checked if it’s available for that time frame but if we can get it we can have a group of people camping for a day or two.  I’m thinking of maybe camping Friday to do the shoot on Saturday, then get a hotel for Saturday and Sunday before heading home.  Thinking of taking a few day before the weekend and a few days after.

Also going to start taking my scooter apart this weekend.  Hoping to put a bike together for the event, still thinking of how to transport if I do get it done, but we’ll see.