Star Wars Oregon
Public Information => Spotter Check In => Spotter Archive => Topic started by: MissyThing on March 26, 2017, 09:24:23 PM
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The time has come to begin planning for the Starlight Parade, one of Star Wars Oregon's biggest events of the year. We would love to have your help as a spotter. There are a few requirements...here's what you need to know before you sign up.
Starlight Parade Spotter Requirements:
- All spotters must be at least 18 years old
- Sign ups are limited to 12 spotters at this time
- Parade length is about 2.25 miles and takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes to march. Please be prepared to march the entire distance
- Parade pace is 120 steps per minute. That's 2 steps per second. Be prepared for a rather brisk march at times! (Especially if we get stopped by the Max and have to make up space between us and the group in front of us.)
Other helpful things to know:
- Get some good sleep the night before the parade, and don't overexert yourself the day of the parade.
- Pre-parade is a great time to mingle with other members! Show up early and make a day of it!
- Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water prior to the start of the event
- Plan to arrive at the staging area early. We'll provide some guidance about arrival times when we get closer. Streets get closed off, so you may want to plan multiple routes/parking areas as fallbacks if you can't reach your preferred spot. Consider ridesharing or mass transit.
- Be sure to eat a light meal prior to the start of the parade
- Don't forget to take a bio break prior to the start of the parade...there are no bathrooms on the parade route
- Be available to costumed SWO members to assist them as needed in getting suited up for the parade
- There will be a group photo prior to parade step off. We will need your assistance with crowd control
What to watch for during the parade:
- Overheated SWO members: Especially those in armor. The parade is long and often HOT, and we rely on spotters to safely assist overheated troopers back to base when needed. They will know to find you also if they are having a problem
- Overzealous Star Wars fans: the Starlight Parade has very enthusiastic attendees. You will need to be on the lookout for fans forcing their way onto the parade route for a little extra interaction with our costumed members
- Pacing: When we step off on Burnside, it's literally a downhill tread for the first few hundred yards so that's a good time to get yourself comfortable pacing yourself. The parade officials will likely ask you to hurry the group up. Resist the urge to run to catch up to the group ahead of us. Our costumed members cannot move that fast!
- The live TV section is in the last half of the route. You'll notice extra lighting, and camera operators and/or news reporters may approach you as you're marching
- The parade does not end where we start. You will need to walk several blocks after the parade route ends to get back to our staging area. You can remove helmets and other costume pieces for that walk back
- Stay away from the crowds when marching. Parade organizers prohibit any direct contact between us and the crowd.
TIMING
Noon: Suggested arrival time if you want to get to the parking lot before they start closing roads.
1:00pm: Staging area roads closed (NW Burnside to Glisan and NW Broadway to 10th) - Depending on who and how you ask, the police officers might let you through even after roads are closed. If you’re traveling on Burnside to get to the staging area at this point, remember that you’ll need to be going westbound since you cannot turn left off Burnside into the staging area.
6:00pm: Parade route roads except Burnside closed (4th, Salmon, Broadway, Washington, 12th, Taylor)
7:00pm: Burnside closed
7:30pm: Everyone is in costume and ready in our staging area (This is so the parade staff can verify that we are present and accounted for)
7:45pm: Group photos in our staging area - Plan ahead to be ready on time! We want you in the pictures, but we don't want to make 50+ people stand in formation in costume waiting for you!
8:30pm: Parade scheduled to start
9:15pm: We start marching - This is an estimate only and may end up being earlier or later.
MAPS
Official Starlight Parade Route Map:
(http://www.rosefestival.org/wp-content/uploads/starlight-parade-route-2017.jpg)
Parking and Staging (UPDATED 5/19/17):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/33917784064_b217482dd7.jpg)
Notes:
- Our main parking area is noted towards the bottom right. There are entrances from Broadway and 8th. For navigation purposes, you can use this address: 122 NW 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Blue+Sky/@45.5241687,-122.6804891,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x54950a0171c85e29:0x9d824776dde0812b!8m2!3d45.5241687!4d-122.6782951)
- There is an alternate parking lot on Glisan between 9th and Park that might also be an option. Note that we have not yet confirmed whether or not this is a public lot, so use at your own risk.
- We will hang out all afternoon in the park block directly west of our main parking lot.
- Our staging area is a few blocks north of our parking/hangout spot this year. Note that we still recommend parking in our usual spot since that will be closer at the end of the parade.
- Green stars on this map indicate public restrooms/port-a-potties.
Overview Map:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4169/33951156103_153bd5f518_z.jpg)
Spotter Uniform:
Official Star Wars Oregon Spotter t-shirts can be purchased here: http://www.cloudcitygarrison.com/forum/index.php?topic=10627.0
We will have a limited number available for you to BORROW. You will need to be prepared to trade me your driver's license in exchange for borrowing a t-shirt, but don't worry! You'll get it back when you return your Spotter T-shirt.
SPOTTERS:
1. Melissa G.
2. Leslie New
3. Joe Stagliano
4. Tyler
5. Monica
6. Jessica
7. Brian D.
8. Lindsey Chen
9. Michael W.
10. Virgil
11. Adam
12. Rafael
* Carl and the water wagon
WAITLIST - We are limited this year to 12 spotters. If the list is full, we'll add you to the waitlist. You're welcome to attend the pre-parade picnic and stay to help folks get dressed, but only 12 spotters will be permitted to walk in the parade.
1. arctraw
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Missy, I'll have 2-3 people for spotters, hopefully have their names by tonight.
saberwolff, Will
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Missy, I'll have 2-3 people for spotters, hopefully have their names by tonight.
saberwolff, Will
Let me know who is coming and I'll add the to the roster. Thanks!!
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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I would like to be a spotter -melissa G
Also my uncle Michael W
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I'm not 100% sure that I'll be able to make this because Phoebe has a softball tournament this weekend and I won't know the game times until probably 2 days prior. Anyway, go ahead and pull me off the list and if I am able to make it then I can just figure something out.
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I would like to be a spotter -melissa G
Also my uncle Michael W
Thanks. I added you both.
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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I'm not 100% sure that I'll be able to make this because Phoebe has a softball tournament this weekend and I won't know the game times until probably 2 days prior. Anyway, go ahead and pull me off the list and if I am able to make it then I can just figure something out.
Ok. I took you off, but just let me know if you're able to attend. I hope Phoebe has a great tournament!!!
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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Please put me down as a spotter if room available. Thank you.
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Missy, I got the names, Virgil, Adam, Rafael. all 3 are confirmed to be there.
Will
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Missy, I got the names, Virgil, Adam, Rafael. all 3 are confirmed to be there.
Will
Hi Missy: drop me down to Waitlist. Thank you!
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Missy, I got the names, Virgil, Adam, Rafael. all 3 are confirmed to be there.
Will
Hi Missy: drop me down to Waitlist. Thank you!
Done!
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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Dorry for the late post. Please consider making room for Carl B with the water wagon
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Dorry for the late post. Please consider making room for Carl B with the water wagon
I'm so sorry, but the best I can do is add him to the wait list. This year we aren't able to have as many spotters as I years past. I will let you know if any of the above folks drop out or if any of the above members opt to wear their costumes instead.
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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Hi there,
I am interested in being a spotter. XD
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Hi there,
I am interested in being a spotter. XD
I added you to our wait list for this event. Unfortunately, we are only able to have 12 spotters march in the parade this year.
Thank you!!
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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Not sure it matters, but maybe it does---but feel free to demote me to Waitlist #3, down from #1. If Carl or Arctraw get a shot at spotting, good for them.
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Not sure it matters, but maybe it does---but feel free to demote me to Waitlist #3, down from #1. If Carl or Arctraw get a shot at spotting, good for them.
Ok. I'll do it.
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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When should we arrive by?
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When should we arrive by?
I added some timing details and updated maps in the OP.
Brian, thank you for so graciously bumping yourself down the spotter waitlist! Are you sure you don't want to TK-up for this? :D
Melissa and Michael, any chance you two would consider taking advantage of trooping this in costume so that we can get some more non-members involved as spotters?
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Mindie added some timing info! Thanks.
As a reminder, if you're signed up to be a spotter and do not have one of the official SWO spotter shirts you will be able to borrow one. You will need to be prepared to trade your drivers license in exchange, but you'll get it back at the end of the parade. Unfortunately, I can't get out of work so I won't be there, but Scott will handle that for us. So, when you arrive just check in with o e of our excellent COs or XOs (Scott, Harry, or Luke).
Have fun!!
Sent from the Jedi Temple
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When should we arrive by?
I added some timing details and updated maps in the OP.
Great! I'm excited. I wish my costume was done in time but alas that's how it goes.
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Spotters: Thank you so much for volunteering to help out tomorrow! Here are a few last minute notes and reminders:
- I know some folks are planning to be on-site as early as noon. Feel free to spend the day hanging out! It's quite likely that some folks will do a group lunch somewhere nearby, and you're also welcome to bring lunch (and dinner) with you to eat in the park.
- Please arrive no later than 6:45pm and check in with Harry or Scott T (ask around if you don't know them). At this point everyone will be changing into costume to be ready to go by 7:30pm. Help folks get suited up as appropriate and then be prepared to help "secure" the area during our group photos. (Keep the public out of them while we take our official shots.)
- Remember to pack anything you need for the day, which might include: Your spotter t-shirt, something to sit on in the park (camp chair, blanket, etc), food/drinks, wet wipes/hand sanitizer, comfortable shoes, and whatever else you need!
- Say hello to new people you haven't met before! Catch up with old friends! This is a fantastic opportunity for the whole group to socialize.
- And last of all, please be patient. A lot of this event is "hurry up and wait" kind of stuff. Please listen to our COs and XO on-site and follow their guidance.
Who's ready for our BIGGEST EVENT EVER?! Let's spread some Star Wars cheer!
:dancechewie:
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If I didn't get your address yesterday, PM me. I am sending all the spotters our Starlight patches for keeping us all in line last night. Many thanks!
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THANK YOU to all of our spotters! Your support, especially during this event, is crucial to keeping the rest of us safe. We are so grateful for you spending your Saturday evening with us.
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THANK YOU to all of our spotters! Your support, especially during this event, is crucial to keeping the rest of us safe. We are so grateful for you spending your Saturday evening with us.
I wholeheartedly second this! While I didn't see too many rowdy crowd members this year for you all to wrangle, your constant shout outs about potholes and max tracks was incredibly helpful for those of us with limited vision (especially in the dark). So thank you, thank you to all of you!
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My favorite save was at the very end of the parade when Adam (I think?) kept a lady from jumping into the middle of the group. I could hear her whining as he stopped her, "So you're saying I can't join in with everyone?" Let's just say she wasn't sober.
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Thank you to the spotters, this troop could not happen without your assistance, thank you for all your help.
Sent from the Utapau battle front
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Our spotters are a huge help at any event, but Starlight it's essential for our members! A huge thank you to everyone!