Idaho Star Wars fan chosen to march in the Rose Parade
X-wing costume and parade experience helped him 'land gig'
So when 35-year-old Bernard Finnigan of Idaho Falls got his, he jumped at the chance to march in Monday's Tournament of Roses Parade as one of two X-wing pilots. He and 222 other costumed fans will march the 5 1/2-mile parade route flanked by two floats depicting the worlds of Naboo and Endor, which are central to the "Star Wars" story.
The display is part of Lucasfilm's plans to ring in 2007, which marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the first "Star Wars" film. Finnigan is excited but also feeling some pressure. While the 200 stormtroopers will be marching in unison, he will be one of the few characters interacting with the crowd.
"You have to know how to work a crowd," he said.
Earlier this year, Lucasfilm put the word out through the ranks of the 501st Legion, a worldwide group of Imperial costuming enthusiasts, that it was looking for marchers.
Applicants sent in video footage of themselves marching in stormtrooper uniforms as part of their tryouts. Out of 700 entries, 200 stormtroopers were selected.
Lucasfilm spokesman John Singh also said they put out the call for people to represent characters such as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, as well as an X-wing pilot.
"It is definitely a great opportunity to be selected as one of the characters," Singh said.
Finnigan is a member and state captain of a worldwide group called the Rebel Legion that specializes in making "good guy" costumes from the films and attending various events. He put together his first X-wing costume four years ago because there were already plenty of Jedi.
"I wanted to push myself," he said.
That, Finnigan believes, along with his experience with parades, probably helped him land the gig with Lucasfilm, which is paying his way to Pasadena, Calif., where the Tournament of Roses is held.
He has appeared in costume in the Idaho Falls Fourth of July parade for several years as well as parades in Preston, Shelley and Ogden, Utah.
"I've done parades in 90 degree weather in Idaho Falls and 0 degree weather in Ogden," he said. "I've done it all."
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