A Final Star Wars Night at Turner Field

I finally made it to Star Wars Night at Turner Filed, an extra-fun Atlanta Braves game. The fun was out of this world, "in a galaxy far, far away"...yet really close! And the fun began as soon as you stepped inside the gate.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

As most everyone knows, this is the final season the Atlanta Braves will play in Turner Field. We're not sure "exactly" what's going to happen to the field, but I sincerely hope it finds a new home, avoiding the wrecking ball. I hope the Braves like their new home, but I'm going to miss having them so close to downtown!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

I made sure to make it to the field in time to see the on-field Star Wars Parade, which started 45 minutes before game time.

Some of the parade participants were fascinated with the view from the field. The youngster pictured above looks so very much like my great nephew Johnny, also a curious little fellow. 

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

The field was fully wrapped by time all the participants made it out. There were some excellent costumes and it looked like everyone on the field, including staff and players, were having a great time!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

If you're making plans to attend a Braves game that has a parade, do make time to see it...it's great fun! Check the schedule for games that have a parade.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

Of all the Star Wars characters, Yoda is my all-time favorite. And he's the one I most often quote, for inspiration: "The is no try. Do or do not." I love the droids, too, but Yoda is wise and tell it how it is. I admire that directness.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

As I mentioned, there were some awesome costumes for Star Wars Night! There were characters and cosplayers throughout the stadium and up by the giant drum near the main entrance, but the parade is when you get to see the costumes best.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

When I went to "Zombie Night" at Turner Field last year, they had zombiefied everyone on the scoreboard. For Star Wars Night, they used bad guys (Jabba, Boba Fett or Darth Vader) for the opposing team's photos. But there was video of them getting ready to bat, so it was all in fun.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

For the Atlanta Braves, they dressed them in good guys costumes! They played a great game, but a few Jedi mind tricks for the win would have been nice.

The next Zombie Night at Turner Field is scheduled for Friday, July 15. I had a great time at last year's, as I did at this year's Star Wars Night. I highly recommend going! Just remember to get there at least an hour early so that you have time for photo ops and to see the on-field parade!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Freddie Freeman | Atlanta Braves

I've been talking about Star Wars and not much about baseball, of which I am truly a fan. There was some excellent playing this game. In fact, we went into overtime with a 5-5 score. 

At the bottom of the 10th, with bases loaded, we thought we'd win the game. But that wasn't the Braves' destiny...not that night anyway. 

The game finished 5-7 at the bottom of of the 12th inning...it was a long game, but a good game!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

And as is tradition for Friday night home games, there were fireworks! On this particular evening, however, the fireworks were choreographed to Star Wars music.

The evening was great fun...I'm so glad I finally went to a Star Wars Night at Turner Field and I wish the Atlanta Braves all the best next year at their new home.

Jim Henson Collection...Fun For All Ages

If you watched Sesame Street as a kid, are a fan of the Star Wars movies, or enjoy any of the holiday classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, chances are you too are a puppetry fan! 

On the off chance you've not been to the Center for Puppetry Arts since before mid-November 2015, and especially if you've never been, well, ♫ it's time to start the music...it's time to light the lights ♫...it's time to go see the Center for Puppetry Arts' new and expanded Jim Henson Collection!

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

This post is about the Jim Henson Collection, part of the new Worlds of Puppetry Museum. I'll write about the new Museum's magnificent Global Collection another day. In the meantime, let's talk Muppets, Fraggles and The Dark Crystal, to name only a few highlights in the Museum!

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

You will be greeted by Jim Henson himself upon entering the Jim Henson Collection side of the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, along with personalities from throughout the decades. 

There is LOTS to see here...some of it interactive, all of it fun! Be prepared for a lovely, laugh-filled stroll down memory lane while discovering the fascinating career of one whose creativity and intellect brought to the world great learning, loving and laughter.  

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

The Jim Henson Collection side of the Museum features gallery after gallery, one of them being Jim's office, which contains loads of memorabilia that you too would showcase in your office. 

Among the artifacts is a giant, illuminated moose head! Actually having seen a live moose up-close-and-personal in wild of Wyoming (I didn't know at the time that they sometimes charge), I can tell you that this head is probably life-size.

There's also a gallery featuring an interactive creature shop (some of the drawers pull out to reveal even more puppetry artifacts). There's a mock-up television studio, too, and throughout the Museum there are video clips of some of everyone's favorites, from Sam and Friends to The Muppet Show and lots more!

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

We're so fortunate to have the Center for Puppetry Arts here in Atlanta. We're also fortunate to have so many awesome opportunities to meet celebrities. In fact, I got to see Carol Spinney, the puppeteer who portrayed Big Bird all those years I watched him on Sesame Street. That was one of those experiences--seeing Spinney at Dragon Con--you never even fathom would happen, but that you'll cherish always.

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

I love that Jim Henson's land of make-believe was so close to real life. Take for example Bert & Ernie, one of Henson's classic contrasting personality duos, and how cooperation, even in the face of being totally different people, could often produce wonderful results. As a kid, I wasn't at all grumpy, so I identified with the more enthusiastic Ernie. 

Can you believe that Bert & Ernie debuted on Sesame Street the same year we landed on the Moon? We've seen a LOT of puppets since 1969, but these two will remain favorites forever!

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

Notice how close this display is to the floor? When you see that little "blue elephant" (seen in the upper right hand corner in the above photo), it's an indicator that that particular display is specially made for the Museum's visiting youngsters, for those as height-challenged as Kermit himself. 

That blue elephant can be found throughout the museum...your youngster will probably see them before you do, though!

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

I have such fond memories of Fraggle Rock! I would rush home from school to make sure to catch the whole episode. What a fun show that, unbeknownst to me when I was a kid, demonstrates the greatness that is possible when acceptance of differences is embraced. I just thought I was watching a fun show, but today I'm grateful it kept my moral compass pointed in the right direction.

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

I'm embarrassed to admit that before visiting The Jim Henson Collection in the new Worlds of Puppetry Museum, I had never seen The Dark Crystal, a Jim Henson film. Fortunately for me, when I left the Museum I stopped by the gift shop (of course I did!) and they had a copy which I immediately scooped up and watched not too long after arriving home. 

What a great movie!

Jen from The Dark Crystal | Center for Puppetry Arts

When you stop by the life-size Jen display, be sure to read about the Yoda connection. Yes, yes...there were forces going on behind the scene that connect Jen and Yoda. I'll leave it to say that Gary Kurtz, George Lucas and Jim Henson were all involved.

The Center for Puppetry Arts also offers a film series. Remaining in the 2016-2016 season is a screening of "Labyrinth", starring the late David Bowie. The first three screenings of this film have already sold out, but a fourth screening was recently added. But hurry if you want to see it...I'm certain it too will sell out.

Jim Henson Collection | Center for Puppetry Arts

When you're planning your visit to the Center for Puppetry Arts, be sure to explore their website and calendar for a multitude of things to do beyond the Museum. They offer a Create-A-Puppet Workshop, there are stage performances, guided tours (including a special one on just The Jim Henson collection) and a regular film series!

That this museum has so much to offer was a contributing factor of my becoming a member. I've already had great fun using my new favorite membership!

Look for my post on the Center for Puppetry Arts' "Global Collection", part of the new Worlds of Puppetry Museum, in the not too distant future. In the meantime, enjoy this 2008 video featuring one of my all-time favorite muppets...Beaker!