With the theatrical release of "CLONE WARS" animated movie just weeks away, Toys R Us held nationwide midnight release events for all the latest Star Wars and CLONE WARS toys' one of which was held at Parmatown Mall.

"Something familiar about this place!"

This was a return to familiar surroundings for me, because I live in Parma (and a frequent shopper at this TRU) and a number of us were at TRU for the "Revenge of the Sith" midnight release. In fact, you know you've been around the "galaxy"a few times when you drive past the line formed outside the store... and most of the people in line are friends of your's.

"Trooping" at a toys store full of the latest Star Wars toys is a bit of a challenge, mostly because you can't get the boys to stop drooling over the pile of action figures and vehicles... It's like "OSWCC Heaven!"

But on a hot and humid summer evening, the troopers from Ohio Garrison and jedi knights from Midwest Base were outside, posing for pictures, lightsaber dueling for the local TV news cameras, and making everyone waiting in line excited about all the new CLONE WARS toys that were just minutes away.

"Open the blast doors... OPEN THE BLAST DOORS!!!"

At midnight, the doors opened and it was down to business! I have to say, i was (pleasantly) surprised at just how many kids were at this TRU midnight release. Parmatown Mall TRU is well-known within the local SW scene as the store that all the collectors hit first, and since this was the only store in NE Ohio that hosted a 1201 release... the jawas were in full force this night.

Toys R Us (Parmatown Mall) Mission Photos

Members of our "Donovan's Jedi" autism walk team were at Toys R Us (who is a national sponsor of the Walk Now For Autism event) selling tickets for our one-of-a-kind fundraiser for Autism Speaks. I am pleased to report that we managed to raise $200 (in just a couple hours) in the kickoff to our CLONE WARS/Dave Filoni poster raffle.

For more information about the Walk Now for Autism Fundraiser, visit the Midwest Base website