Ever wanted to climb inside a Hoth turret and defend the Rebels against the Galactic Empire? Or watch a sleeping dragon snore smoke out of it's nostrils right beside you? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to do an action movie pose surrounded by Mandalorian mercenaries or Storm Troopers?
The good news is that you can, but only if you stop by the charity booth at the inaugural Sask Expo Regina, where Joe’s Place Youth Centre will have a bunch of super geeky, super realistic props on display — all of which have been built by Joe Dueck, local youth, and supporting local businesses.
Joe’s Place is the charity of choice for the convention, and the youth centre has paired with the 501st Legion Badlands Garrison and the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club to provide some impressive Star Wars themed photo opportunities.
Joe’s Place will be bringing a number of their props and costumes, including a TIE Interceptor and a Hoth defense turret, seen in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back respectively.
“The Vanier robotics team actually mechanized [the turret], so it turns back and forth with a joystick; so you can climb right up into the turret and control it back and forth,” said Dueck. “Then this year, courtesy of Prairie Storm Paintball, it now has a laser targeting system built into it. So you can actually turn the turret [and] fire the turret at various targets and actually hit them.”
That’s just the kind of detail that the group puts into their props; they’ll also be bringing a high-quality velociraptor costume à la Jurassic Park, several Marvel-related costumes including a 10 ft. tall Groot, and a full-scale replica of the TARDIS from Doctor Who.
Plus, a fire-breathing dragon prop reminiscent of Smaug, from Lord of the Rings.
“It's got a built-in CO2 cryo head, it's called. So it actually shoots out bursts of icy smoke that are lit red with LEDs, so it actually looks like it's blowing fire. It is very cool,” said Dueck.
The props were all worked on by Joe’s Place youth, like Chris Caplette pictured here working on the TIE Interceptor model. (supplied)“It is so important for these youth to realize that they have gifts and talents, and that they are able to learn how to use various tools and equipment, and build something with their hands,” said Dueck. “And again, to have something that is a concrete, solid object that they can point at and say, 'I accomplished that.’”
And what an accomplishment it is; those who get to witness the impressive display come away astonished, said Dueck.
“They can't believe that this is something that's happening in small-town Moose Jaw, nevermind Saskatchewan,” said Dueck.
Joe’s Place has been going to Fan Expo in Regina for many years, and are happy to have been approached to come to the Sask Expo as well. Last year, their booth raised over $2,000 in donations, and Dueck is hoping to only see that number increase this year.
“We're very thankful to the owners and organizers of Sask Expo, it's going to be a super exciting event,” said Dueck. “It's great to get the word out about the programs that we're offering to the youth because it's not just these props and costume building that we offer, it's all the camps and youth retreats and various other programs.”
The display will be located just inside the entrance of the International Trade Centre — a prime location that Dueck is excited about — and will take donations of any amount for photos with all the props and costumes. All of those donations will go towards Joe’s Place Youth Centre.
And with May 4 being Star Wars Day, it’s a perfect opportunity to declare your allegiance — are you a Rebel pilot, a Stormtrooper, or a mercenary like Boba Fett? — while supporting youth programming right here in Moose Jaw.
