GALLERY

OUR MISSION

From Article I of our Legion Charter: 

“…The Legion is an all-volunteer organization formed for the express purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity within which to operate. The Legion seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work…”

To Promote Interest in Star Wars
While a growing number of people are experiencing a reawakening of their Star Wars fandom, new generations are seeking ways to celebrate their passion for George Lucas’s modern mythology. The 501st Legion brings these fans together, reinforcing the enduring longevity of the Star Wars saga.

To Facilitate the Use of Costumes
Some fans are content to collect action figures…other fans want to be action figures. Nothing professes your passion quite like building your own detailed costume replica of a classic Star Wars villain, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling that comes from bringing the characters of Star Wars into the real world and sharing the magic with others.

To Contribute
While our organization was founded to simply provide a collective identity for costuming fans with similar interests, the 501st is proud to put its resources to good use through fundraising, charity work, and volunteerism. Read more about our charity work here. If you would like to inquire about 501st appearances, please use our request form. If you have any other questions or comments, please use contact us.

Thanks to a handful of dedicated & hardcore Star Wars fans in Alberta, Badlands was founded in 2004, as a squad under the Canadian Garrison.
Badlands achieved official garrison status within the 501st Legion in 2005.
Currently, Badlands Garrison covers Alberta & Saskatchewan.

Page Title

BADLANDS GARRISON

501ST LEGION

WHO WE ARE

WHAT WE DO

WHY WE DO IT

Learn about the 501st Legion and its 8000+ worldwide members.

Find out about our garrison, our mission and values.

Find out why we do what we do.

WHY?
A lot fans ask why 501st Legion members why they “do what they do.”

The fact is – we are all fans of Star Wars, regardless if we are members of the 501st Legion or not. In our case, we express our fandom through the use of costumes for charity. We enjoy giving back, whether that means visiting hospitals, supporting charities with fundraisers, or participating in community events.
Most importantly, we enjoy putting smiles on peoples’ faces. Whether they are young, or the young at heart! If you are interested in joining the 501st Legion or simply have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

CHARITY
While the 501st was initially founded to unite costumers with a penchant for Star Wars villainy, one of our real-world missions is to bring good to our communities through volunteer charity work.

The 501st is always looking for opportunities to brighten the lives of the less fortunate and to bring awareness to positive causes on both a local and global scale.
While we do not charge a fee for appearances (public or private), we enthusiastically welcome donations made to a charitable organization in the name of the 501st Legion. If you do not have a charity of choice, please ask the participating local 501st members for their favorite cause.

 

WHY WE DO IT

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised

of and operated by Star Wars fans. The 501st Legion consists of over 8000 members in 42 countries around the world.

 

Since 1997, the costuming organization known as the 501st Legion has spread the magic of the Star Wars genre worldwide through its authentic-looking costumes, and has become the leading force in fan-based charity events.

The 501st, also known as “Vader’s Fist,” is truly dedicated to brightening the lives of those less-fortunate. For more information about the 501st, please visit www.501st.com.

 

The only requirements for membership are all members must be 18 years

of age, and must own a movie-quality costume.

 

While Lucasfilm Ltd. does not sponsor the Legion, it is Lucasfilm’s preferred Imperial costuming group.

 

The 501st name continues to appear in official Star Wars material including books, toys and video games. Most recently, J. J. Abrams, Lucasfilm and Disney honoured the 501st Legion in The Force Awakens, by including a variation of the Legion logo hanging proudly from a flag on the exterior of Maz Kanata's castle on the planet Takodana.

BAD GUYS DOING GOOD