Garrison News
| Star Wars Reads | |
| By Sakic Jade on Sep 28, 2016 at 7:28 AM. | |
 Star Wars Reads, a celebration of Star Wars and reading, is set to return for its fifth year with a month-long campaign throughout October. Storytelling events and activities, including author signings, readings, and games are planned for bookstores, libraries, and schools across the globe. Visit the Star Wars Reads website and Star Wars Reads community Facebook page for more information on events in your area. The Midwest Garrison will be appearing: Monday, October 10 at the Gail Borden South Elgin Library Branch from 5:30-7:30 pm Saturday, October 15 at the Bethalto Library from 10:30-11:30 am Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates on where else we may appear for Star Wars Reads during the month of October. 
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| The Midwest Garrison At Wizard World | |
| By Sakic Jade on Aug 13, 2016 at 5:56 PM. | |
 Wizard World Comic-Con is returning to Chicago August 18 through 21st. This year, the Midwest Garrison will have a booth on the show floor with the Rebel Legion and Mandalorian Mercs. As always, be sure to stop by and learn from members the steps you can take to join the Empire or just ask us for a picture. Either way, we look forward to meeting Star Wars fans, old and new. Be sure to stop by the booth, and look for us wandering the floor!
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| 4th of July Weekend With The Midwest Garrison | |
| By Sakic Jade on Jul 1, 2016 at 9:11 AM. | |
 Happy Independence Day from The Midwest Garrison. For the holiday weekend, we were be out and about across the state to honor America! Friday, July 1, 9:00 PM - The Mackinaw Valley Vineyard 4th of July Concert and Fireworks. Mackinaw, IL. Sunday, July 3, 1:00 PM - Bartlett Fourth of July Parade. Bartlett, IL. https://sites.google.com/site/bartlett4thofjulyfestival/home Monday, July 4, 10:00 AM - West Peoria Fourth of July Parade. West Peoria, IL. http://www.facebook.com/westpeoria4th We hope to see you this weekend, and pose for some pictures as we all celebrate the 4th of July!
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| Joliet Library Star Wars Days 2016 | |
| By Sakic Jade on May 27, 2016 at 8:46 AM. | |
 The Joliet Public Library Star Wars Day is now the worlds largest of event of its kind. Bringing together members of the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, and other Star Wars fan groups from many different states. In 2010, it started as a simple Star Wars library event, with only a few members of the Midwest Garrison and Rebel Legion in attendance. 650 people with families and children came out and had a great time. It began as a way to get children interested in books again. With so many children reliant on tablets, cell phones, and computers, many have not been in a library in a long time or if ever. In 2014, we saw an estimated 115 members in costume, and approximately 7,000 people. There is so much more going on as well. Meet Star Wars artists, collectors, and more. It is an event that is not to be missed. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, June 4th. Visit the official Facebook page of the event for more information. https://www.facebook.com/JPLStarWarsDay/?fref=ts
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| 2016 Kids Expo in Tinley Park | |
| By Sakic Jade on Apr 12, 2016 at 12:11 PM. | |
 This weekend, the Midwest Garrison will be at the Kids Expo at the Tinley Park Convention Center. On Saturday, April 16 from 9 AM - 6PM and Sunday, April 17 from 10 AM - 5 PM, you will find our troopers at our booth and wandering around the expo floor. We love to pose for pictures, so bring your cameras. Chicagoland’s Best and Longest Standing Kids Expo! Expect Family Fun at the 2016 Kids Expo. We've added even more fun! Free after admission, Bounce Houses, Surprise Character Appearances, Knockerball, Pony Rides, and a Petting Zoo. These are just some of the highlights of Family Time Magazine’s 12th Annual Kids Expo 2016, set for April 16th and 17th at the Tinley Park Convention Center. It is a weekend of family fun! Excitement is at an all time high as the weekend draws near for what promises to be the biggest and best Kids Expo ever with new attractions! “We have added so many great attractions for this year’s expo. Families will not want to miss this event,” said Caroline O’Connell, Family Time Magazine’s publisher and creator, as well as the founder of the Kids Expo. This year, the 2016 Kids Expo will feature several new attractions like the Knockerball Chicago- free after admission-bounce around in a fun and safe plastic bubble suit and try to score against the other team! Don’t miss all the fun! Another great attraction you can find at the 2016 Kids Expo is The Chicago Herpetological Society. Come and check out their large variety of amazing and unique snakes and reptiles! The expo will also include exciting giveaways, including a scooter, a Maru and Friends doll, and a bike. There will be rides, bounce houses, singing and dancing, and face painting. For more information on this event, visit their website at http://chicagolandkidsexpo.com/. We hope to see you there!
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| C2E2 2015 | |
| By Sakic Jade on Mar 10, 2016 at 7:07 AM. | |
 Come see us Friday March 18 - Sunday March 20 at the Chicago Entertainment and Comic Expo at McCormick Place. The Midwest Garrison will have a booth outside of the Fan Village, room S100. Be sure to stop by. We also will be running several activities throughout the weekend. Droid Hunt - The droid hunt will be on Saturday. Pick up a droid badge on the floor or at our booth, and go enjoy the con. When your droids are spotted by one of our troopers, had them over, and pick up your raffle ticket. We will have hunters on the floor throughout the day, and a raffle for prizes at 5:01 PM. Blaster Arena - This year, we have the blaster arena scheduled on Sunday from 1 PM - 3 PM. Kids 6-12 can face off against our troopers armed with Nerf blasters. Blast-A-Trooper - Stop by our booth to have the opportunity to blast our troopers with a nerf blaster. For a small donation to charity, you can take out the Empire's finest. See the booth for operating times. For more information on our events, click here. So, if you're looking for something to do, come out to C2E2 and hang out with us. We'll see you there. Tickets available at http://www.c2e2.com/Tickets/Buy-Tickets/.
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| Trooper Of The Year - 2015 | |
| By Sakic Jade on Feb 23, 2016 at 12:23 PM. | |
Congratulations to Eric Werner, TK-41551, on being voted Midwest Garrison Trooper Of The Year for 2015. in 2015, Eric set up regular visits to the Central DuPage Hospital for our troopers to visit sick children. There were six visits in total, as well as an appearance at the hospitals Pediatric Picnic over the summer. Because of Eric, our troopers were able to warm the hearts and bring smiles to the faces of so many children at that hospital. Eric doesn't troop for the recognition or for awards, which makes him even more deserving of this. Join us in congratulating him in this honor.
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| The Force Awakens | |
| By Sakic Jade on Dec 17, 2015 at 9:18 AM. | |
 Its finally here! The Force Awakens TONIGHT! This weekend, the Midwest Garrison will be out and about across the state making appearances at different theaters to interact with fans as they wait for their showtime. If you'd like to come see us, check out the interactive map of our appearances here, or check out the list below. Please remember that we at the Midwest Garrison will be remaining SPOILER FREE after seeing the movie. Please don't ruin it for your fellow fans on social media or as exiting the theater. Enjoy the show! NCG Cinemas, 1505 N. Bridge St. (Rt 47), Yorkville IL 60560 - Thursday 12:00pm - 5:00pm; Friday 2:00pm - 9:00pm; Saturday 12:00pm - 8:00pm Savoy 16 IMAX, 232 Burwash Ave, Savoy, IL 61874 - Thursday 5:00pm - 8:00pm Hollywood Blvd Cinema, 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge, IL 60517 - Thursday 5:30pm - 9pm Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515 - Thursday 5:30pm - 6:45pm Adler After Dark, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605 Thursday 5:45pm - 9:30pm Hollywood Palms Cinema, 352 S Rt 59, Naperville, IL 60540 - Thursday 6pm - 9:30pm Classic Cinemas, 5311 W. American Prairie Dr., Peoria, IL 61615 - Thursday 6pm - 9pm; Saturday 6pm - 10pm Navy Pier IMAX, 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 - Friday 6am - 9am Classic Cinemas, 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 - Friday 5pm - 9pm Carmike Theater, 910 Meijer Drive, Champaign, IL 61822 - Friday 5:00pm - 8:00pm O'Fallon 15, 1320 Central Park Drive, O'Fallon, IL 62269 - Friday 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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| Helping Kids Have A Merrier Christmas | |
| By Sakic Jade on Nov 30, 2015 at 12:38 PM. | |
 One of our longest running events is also one of our favorites. On Sunday, December 6 we will be making our 12th consecutive appearance at the Bridgeview Toy Con: Toys For Charity. This event is put on to help collect toys for Children's Treasure Chest for Pediatric Oncology, supporting children diagnosed with Cancer. The Midwest Garrison has been proud to be a part of this show for years, and to help bring a Merry Christmas to those in need. Come to the event to buy or just to look. There will be many toys for sale from the past and present. If you bring a toy to donate, admission is FREE! The show runs from 8:30 AM until 2:00 PM at the Bridgeview Community Center at 7900 South Oketo Avenue in Bridgeview. To find out more information about this amazing show for a great cause, please go to their website: http://toycontoyshow.homestead.com/Our_Products.html. Enjoy a day looking at some fun toys, and help out sick children! We hope to see many of our fans there!
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| The Midwest Garrison Helps Our Furry Friends | |
| By Sakic Jade on Nov 16, 2015 at 2:04 PM. | |
 This weekend, members of the Midwest Garrison will be busy all over the state, with many opportunities to do some good. On Saturday, November 21st, our members will be out at Graham's Pet Depot in Elk Grove Village to support the Second City Canine Rescue. Paw Wars: The Pooch Awakens will be an event where you can help the pups as well. You can learn about adopting a dog of your very own, or how to become a foster parents to a dog in need. You can also donate to the Second City Canine Rescue on site. Of course, you can also take pictures with us as some of your favorite costumed characters will be in attendance. Please join us Saturday afternoon, and help make a difference to an animal in need. The event runs from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. For more information or to see how else you can help, please visit secondcitycaninerescue.org.
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