IEFF in Christmas parade in Victorville?

JF77 is the keeper of the information on this one.

All I know is what's on their form here

Check In Time is 8:15am, help us JF77, you're our only hope.

1. Iraq
2. 11:11 pm
3. sure...be free with yourself...show the world how beautiful you are

Woot! We may have 2 more coming along from 501st. Possibly a Vader and a Boba Fett, will let you know once we get confirmation.

cool-ness

Ugh...I meant REAL updates!

Vader and Fett? Oh, cool!

So are we meeting at Denny's or right at the parade? And where is Denny's so I can find, or the location for the Parade for that matter. Remember, I don't know my way around Victorville until someone gives me an address or directions, then I'll find a map and landmarks. If we are meeting for breakfast before hand, does that mean we should aim for 07:00 for food so we can socialise and give enough of a buffer for them to make the food and serve it before we have to leave for the parade...?

I need to run into town but will post parade info as soon as I get back.

This is the closest Denny's if we're in agreement on that...

14244 VALLEY CENTER DR.
VICTORVILLE, CA 92392 US
760-245-2133

That may be the closest Denny's, but it's also on the wrong side of 7th Street. The parade is on 7th Street, our check in area is on the East side and the streets are completely blocked off for the parade. My suggestion is to eat at the Coco's off Palmdale Rd and the 15 (Coco's Bakery Restaurant: 760-241-6686
15570 Park Ave E, Victorville, CA 92392 ). You'll have much easier access to the staging area from there.

Okay, lets see if I can get this explained.

Check in time is from 8:15 - 9:00, however it was suggested we get there earlier due to how long the check in line gets.

We check in at the corner of Seneca Rd and Desert Knolls and have to come in facing the correct way. Only the Falcon is allowed in the staging area. The rest need to park as close as they can and walk. It might be a good idea to leave as many cars as possible at the resteraunt and carpool to the check in area.

The driver of the car is the one that checks us in. We are entry #61 and the name of our entry is the Inland Empire Fan Force.

To get to the staging/check-in area from Coco's:

Turn right onto Paldale Rd, go over the freeway overpass, get in the right lane and turn right onto Green Tree Blvd. When you get to Rodeo Dr, turn left. When you hit Seneca, turn left. Keep going until you run into the staging area.

The MFalcon needs to be decorated with garland and such. It would be great if all of the walking people would put some sort of Christmas decoration on themselve, too. Remember, the theme is a Nastalgic Christmas. What says nastalgia more than Star Wars??

Let me know if you have any questions or if I didn't cover something.

Thank you for that information. Is Coco's open at 6 or 7am depending on what time we meet for breakfast? Also, is there any sort of changing facilities, especially for the stormtroopers so they can get into their armour? It would be preferable if it is a secure facility, but we can work around that if it isn't.

EDIT: Here's a map for Coco's for those that need it.

Okay, just to confirm:

-Meeting at Coco's instead of Denny's for breakfast
-Check-in is at corner of Seneca and Desert Knolls
-Check-in time between 8:15 and 9:00 but reccommended get there early 'cause of lines

Did I get it right?

Hey, I've got a few simple questions. I've never even seen a parade in person, let alone marched in one, so I need a few things answered:

-What goes with the process of 'checking in'? Is there a table where you need to sign your name/group/entry number? Does everyone sign in, or does the 'leader' just check in the whole group?

-Do we have a particular way of lining up yet? Two abreast, four abreast? Where will everybody be? Do I pick a spot or wait to be assigned one?

-Since it looks like my dad can't make it to film the parade, I'd like the to take the vid camera along myself. I don't want to film the actual march from a first-person perspective, but I do want a little footage of you guys (that aren't camera-shy, of course!). Am I allowed to film you in the restaurant or staging area? Both? Neither?

Sorry for the inquisitive me. I'm the type that doesn't do well with vague instructions or none at all. I'm going to be scared to death, so I need some sort of order i can put ion my head so I don't do something stupid like look around scratching my head.

Those are some good questions! Never be afraid to ask.

I'm going to call the parade coordinator and get more info about the check in process. I'll let you know later on that one.

When I talk to her, I'll also ask her about us using camera's during the route. We can probably keep them in the MFalcon and get them out when we want to use them. Again, I'll let you know later.

There's no set order of how to walk. You all can decide that when lined up and waiting for the parade to begin. The whole group is assigned as #61 entry. So that's our official spot.

I really don't think it will be that difficult. The hardest part will probably be finding parking and getting checked in. After that, as long as the MFalcon doesn't run anybody over it should just be fun.

It should be good. If all goes well we can do it again next year. There's one at Victoria Gardens where they make it snow apparently, think it was before thanksgiving.

Dont forget to ask about changing areas.

Dont forget the awesome banner! Can you bring that to the party too, I wanna see it up close!

I'm sorry to say, but due to health reasons, I can't walk in the parade. I'm not giving up my post as "organizer" though! I've already got a call into the chamber of commerce to get answer some of the posted questions. So, if you have any to ask, please do it quickly so that I can ask. (I have no problem with calling again either!)


I hate that I've had to back out of participating! I still plan on going to the party though!

Sorry to hear that Kari, hope it's nothing too serious and your back on your feet in no time.

Thanks for the concern. I've got too much scheduled this week and a cold that won't let go. Much to many people's delight, I'm also loosing my voice.

Okay, to answer a few of those questions:

Only one person checks in for the group and that's the one driving the car. They don't need to know everyone's names either.

Cameras are allowed in-route as long as we're taking pictures of our group or other entries and not specifically of the crowd.

There is no where to change. There's a Carl's Jr. up the block, but that's about it. Major bummer for the Stormtroopers!

So what time is who meeting and where?

I'm meeting at Coco's slightly before 7 (or just after depending on traffic).

Who lives closest to the parade, and is it possible to use their place for changing? Carl's Jr. probably won't cut it.
OR
Does anyone have an easy up and tarp, or something similar that we can make a enclosed tent like structure out of? If someone could bring an easy up or something to breakfast, then I can track down a tarp or blanets or something.... Might also help if we had duct tape or lots of clothes pins.

Ho-kay! Nice to get a few questions answered!
Wish you could come to the parade, Jedifan77. This means One less person I get to meet. Hope you feel better soon!

Yikes, that staging area is WAAAY far from the parade route! Good thing I'm used to walking far.

I'm not worried about changing. My Jedi costume is very comfortable. I'll just wear my outfit to Coco's and be careful not to get any orange juice on it. That's too bad about the troopers, though. Where's a tent when you need one?

So...how do I know where to go after breakfast and I find the staging area? Do I just follow you guys? Are the crowds okay, or do I need to tie a rope to someone's belt?

I worked it out with Steve, I have a pop up canopy and curtains to enclose it to work for a dressing room. I will get it to Steve at Coco's so he will take care of it.

At this moment, all I can do is whisper and HC needs to be called and told about the parade plans. Her computer crashed. Will somebody do that for me, please?

Who's HC?

The parade's tomorrow... Where did the time go?

Have no fear, officialy, Jedi Onasi, and Darthm Malum will be there
oh and if work calls i'm out sick (Waves hand, as he speaks.) cough cough, sneez sneez.

Is CoCo's open that early? I do not think they are a breakfast place...

I hope they're open. Yup. I just called them. They open at 6.