Tusken Raiders on parade

HalCon's entry into the Halifax Natal Day parade seemed the perfect opportunity to "road test" a Tusken Raider costume. And the perfect motivation for actually completing one or two of them. That being decided, the gluing and stitching continued until the night before the parade. Finally, the costumes were complete. Then those always helpful family members casually pointed out that the teeth had been completely overlooked. So early on parade day, makeshift styrofoam teeth were rapidly crafted and inserted and the Tusken Raiders departed for the parade. More elaborate dental work would be required prior to HalCon in October.

The fog had burned off and the sun had begun to intensify by 8:30 a.m. as the Tusken Raiders arrived at the parade's starting point. They soon began to question their ability to walk four kilometres in the heat. But the fellow participant in the classic Battlestar Galactica shirt pointed out that Tusken Raiders are desert people and thus should experience no difficulty under the blazing sun. Yes indeed. So the Tusken Raiders took their places among the 20-something Manga/Anime enthusiasts, the Warhammer Space Marine, and the Klingon. And after some brief conflict with Obi-Wan, they awaited the start of the parade.

Despite a few sadly misinformed spectators who referred to the Tusken Raiders as Jawas, their presence was well-received. Several young children looked fearful. One began to cry. Always an indicator of success. Unfortunately, the second Raider's survival was placed into doubt as he incorrectly held the Gaffi stick, insisted upon waving to spectators rather than threatening them, and referred to himself as the "nice" Tusken Raider. He may have to be dismissed from the tribe. He wasn't even quite sure what a Tusken Raider was until the day before the parade.

Happily, though, these hardy desert inhabitants were able to withstand the heat along the entire parade route. Thanks in part to the cooling breeze which enveloped them as they crossed the harbour bridge. A successful road test behind them, the Raiders retreated to the nearest pub for potato skins and chicken wings.