A squad of Imperial Stormtroopers from the Galactic Empire invaded north Burnaby on Saturday, and local merchants welcomed them by rolling out the red carpet.
The elite soldiers from Star Wars were joined by Darth Vader and Chewbacca, and a host of other fictional characters. It was all part of the Hollywood-themed fun at the annual Hats Off Day festival, organized by the Heights Merchants Association.
“It went really well,” said Isabel Kolic, the association’s executive director. “Quite a few people are saying it was one of the best ones ever.”
Kolic estimated 60,000 people attended Hats Off Day, which spans several blocks along Hastings Street. The event includes a parade, a show and shine, and booths featuring local businesses, political groups and non-profits. Other Hollywood characters included Harry Potter, Captain Picard and Kolic as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. The association hired two actors to play Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind. They repeatedly performed a scene during the parade that involved Scarlett slapping Rhett, then falling into his arms for a kiss. According to Kolic, the crowd gasped at the slap and went wild for the kiss.
Kolic said it was a pleasure for the Heights merchants to put on the festival.
“It’s probably the most fun day of the year for the whole community,” she said.
