Hey everyone!

Prize winners have been notified! I want to thank everyone for participating this weekend. It was a ton of fun. Thank you for stopping by the blog and commenting, and reading, and enjoying. This has been such a great experience for me – almost humbling. Thank you thank you thank you.

Congratulations to the winners! I loved reading everyone’s posts. So many great thoughts, and great moments.

I still have a few more photos to post up from Annie’s camera, so check back periodically.

Thank you everyone.

~Dan

The new LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary isn’t just for kids – but let’s be honest – who else would love to meet and greet some Storm Troopers, wield Darth Vader’s lightsaber, and maybe try a few Jedi mind tricks on a Jawa?

A lot of families showed up yesterday, and had a ton of fun. There was trivia, games, drawing contests and prize giveaways!

I got to meet a fan of a LEGO a Day, Julian, too! It was very awesome meeting some fans of the site. He told me he has been taking LEGO photos as well! Great job bud! Keep it up!

NOTE: All of the photos I took can be found on my Flickr page, here. I haven’t gotten all the photos off Annie’s camera yet – I know she has a ton great ones too – check back later!

Here’s some first hand coverage of the shenanigans that unfolded…

Trivia contests!

Even Imperial TIE Fighter pilots know their trivia!

Costume Contests

Drawing Contests!

and even Storm Troopers wanted in on the fun for kids!

and the Jedi approve…

Of course, some of us just want to sit back, and enjoy the new book – to read every exciting detail about every set you own…

Others came to do battle…

Not even store employees were safe!

Some just came to hang out with their favorite villains…

And some of us were just kids at heart. Here’s Miss D., myself, and Mr. A. – we all teach at the same school – they came over to check things out! And what better way to impress your 4th/5th grade class than hanging out with some bad guys!

That’s all for right now! Keep the answers to the contest questions coming in – I will pick winners tonight. I have 2 t-shirts I can mail myself as maybe some runner-up prizes. They are size Large though, so just be aware!

Thanks for everything – a few more random photos coming later today!

~Dan

Here is the first of a few posts that will include photos and info from the event!

I’d like to personally thank DK Publishing for this opportunity, LEGO, LucasFilm, the awesome staff at Borders, and of course the members of the 501st Legion who came out.

This first group of photos is mostly of the store scene – before/during/after.

Hmm…where would you fit this?! Surely the Empire has classes in all these subjects…

People were picking up their copies to take home all day!

Some weren’t phased at all by the presence of pure power, and went about their daily business reading…

Then members of the 501st Legion arrived. The event began. Some greeted fans. Some stood watch.

Vader checks his displays…

Some Storm Troopers decided to browse the selection in this side of the galaxy:

Vader finally picked up a copy of the book

And so did the rest of the 501st..

Lastly tonight, again, a big thanks to the 501st, and the staff at Borders. You deserve some recognition! Here’s to both of you!

Tomorrow:

• Winners will be picked for both contests in the evening.
• Photos of the kids and attendees of the event!
• More fun photos of the 501st being just pretty awesome.

Thank you everyone!

~Dan

Well. That was a ton of fun!

The Bad News: I couldn’t get my laptop online at Borders – even with the help of their networky-type guy. He said everything was going super slow, and he couldn’t even get on much with his iPhone. Total bust there. So, I am sorry for not being able to live-update while I was there – but maybe it was for the better because I got a ton of great photos.

The Good News: I got a ton of awesome photos. Talked to some great members of the 501st Legion, hung out with Darth, watched the kiddies play some games and trivia.

Darth Vader did try to help me get my computer online so I could live-blog…

But he couldn’t get it to work either.

This angered him.

——-

Winners for the contests will be picked by me late tonight!

UPDATE!! Since it’s wicked late, and people are still visiting and making comments – I am going to extend the deadline for contest entries until tomorrow afternoonish sometime. Plus, Annie is out with her sisters on the town celebrating her birthday, and I want her to help me decide!

Thank you everyone for participating! Pictures of the event forthcoming!

Thanks everyone!!

~Dan

Here’s your chance to win the grand prize Mega Pack! It includes:

• (1) copy LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary;
• (1) 10/10/09 T-Shirt;
• (1) Postcard pack from San Diego Comic Con;
• (1) Darth Vader Minifigure.

All you need to do is give a solution to the following problem:

You’re a Jedi, surrounded by a hundred storm troopers and one Sith Lord. You’re backed into a corner. Your lightsaber is lying on the ground 6 feet away.

What do you do? Get yourself out of the predicament in that most awesome way possible!

One winner will be selected from the entires.

All comments must be accompanied by a valid email address, otherwise I can’t contact you as a winner!

Entries are only valid today, 10/10/09. Winners will be selected and notified by Sunday night.

Here’s your first chance at one of the prize package giveaways!

The top three (3) responses [as chosen by me - and probably my fiancee] will win a Mini-Prize Pack, which includes:

• (1) copy LEGO Star Wars Visual Dictionary
• (1) 10/10/09 T-Shirt.

All you need to do is answer this question:

What is your favorite moment in the Star Wars saga, and why?
(Be specific – be thorough! Convince me!)

All comments must be accompanied by a valid email address, otherwise I can’t contact you as a winner!

Entries are only valid today, 10/10/09. Winners will be selected and notified by Sunday night.