Here are some quick notes of my trip to Celebration II (C2)

I have to say I had reservations about going down to the BIG
Star Wars convention down in Indianapolis. First there was the
distance, the cost and then there was the potential problem of
trying to get a disassembled R2 past the border. I could see myself
spending hours at the border, as they rip apart my car and my R2.

Then I heard that Jason Smith arranged to get a room for the
club members. So if anyone was bringing an R2 they could leave it in
the room for the entire weekend. Then I heard that Don Bies (R2 builder
and operator since ESB) was going to be there and give a summit (talk)
on the real R2. Next thing you know I am booking a room and getting maps.
It got even better as we then were listed on the official Star Wars web
site and we had an R2 parade arranged for the Sunday Noon.

Thankfully the border guard and the military personnel accompanying
him in the booth was a Star Wars fan and I was through a lot faster then
I thought. The trip did not start off well as just as I got on the highway
I was basically stopped as a couple of dump trucks decided to hit each
other and cause a massive traffic jam. Ten hours from when I left home
(thank goodness I packed the day before) I was at my hotel checking in.

C2 was an absolute blast. The R2 builders I met there are the greatest
bunch of guys and girls I have met. The banners and lanyards by Gary and
Kelly were superb. The computer generated video by the brothers (sorry I
don't want to attempt to spell your names and terrible butcher them) was
a work of art. Aluminum parts by Darren and Jason were mind blowing. The
entire room look very professional.

The weekend was done in a flash and the next thing I know I am saying
goodbye to everyone. I thought we would have a lot of time to sit around
and talk R2 building but this never occurred. I would have loved to sit
and talk for hours with each of the R2 builders there. I did get some
time to talk with Marshal P. and Spanky who are both great guys.

I spent about $800 going to C2. For me that is quite a bit but I
think it is worth it at twice that. C3 here I come. Hopefully I will
have a second R2 done for then and R2 Ver 1 will be even better

Here is Don Bies (R2 builder/operator since ESB) showing
off the real R2 to the group in the R2 Builders room.

Don Bies surrounded by an R2 army. The one in the
middle is the real R2 while all the ones around him are the ones built
by members.

Here I am in serious mode with Don.

Here I am all happy with Don. Don was a great guy and
had his picture taken with all the club members that were there.

Most of the R2 builders in a group photo with Uncle Don.
Unfortunately too many members to fit the camera.

Here is one picture of the R2 Builders room. Each R2 had
a board with the builder's statistics. The banners by the wall were
produced by Kelly Krider and looked great.

This is George Starky who looks a lot like George Lucas.
At C2 there was some exclusive figures offered only at C2. It was a
rebel fighter pilot called Jorg Sacul (George Lucas). Mr Starky decided
to dress like a rebel pilot and here is posing as the figure looks like
in the package beside my R2.

Here are all the R2s lined up ready for the Sunday parade.
Quite a site to see. There fans also loved it as they were lined up
outside waiting.

Here we are at the end of the parade route in a
mass gathering. Later on we did some posing for pictures.

Here is Craig (left) (Mr PVC Guy Extrordinaire) and
his C3P0 (middle) along with Anthony Danierls (right). Anthony Daniels
actually came into the R2 Builders room to see Craig's work of art.

And here is Craig on stage with Anthony and his C3P0

Here is Don on stage with the real R2 and Anthony

At C2 there was a costume contest. As a joke the
real R2 was dressed up as Princess Leia. To the left is my R2 trying
to make the moves on the Princess.

Here are some other photos others have taken

donalex.jpg
This is a modified shot of Don Bies and myself. A fellow builders has cleverly edited us into the sandcrawler scene.

group.jpg
Here are some of the members who had their droids at C2. This shot was taken after the parade. Let's see if I can match the droids to the names. Mouse droid to the left (Max), Mouse droid in the middle (Kelly?), C3PO (Craig), Imperial Droid (Evan?), R2 far right (Alex) R2 right of Jason with restraining bolt(Kelly) R2 beside C3PO (Keith) Very front R2 (Ryan) R2 to the left of Jason (Gary), Bare dome R2 (Gary) 2nd R2 from teh right (Jongsma Brothers)R2 at the back (Evan)

Jason in the middle didn't have a droid there but he was the guy to get the ball rolling on the entire thing

group2.jpg
Another group shot with all of those who were at C2.

parade.jpg
Here is a picture of the builders getting thier droids all set up for a group photo

rebelr2.jpg
Here is a fan in an excellent Xwing costume taking a photo with my droid when I had him out stretching his legs.

The midnight debut of ATOC and I was asked to bring
my R2 down for the opening to show off. A side benefit is that I did
get to see the movie on the first public showing. R2 ownership does
have it's privileges. I walked R2 through the audience but I could
not tell what their reaction was as a spotlight was on me the entire
time. I was told that the people loved him.