A look inside the helmet
Marcus Wessels prepares to take a break from duties as a Star Wars stormtrooper during the Petaluma Hobby Expo 2012. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)
For the past three years, Marcus Wessels has led a double life.
Most days, the Larkfield resident is a husband, father and master auto diesel mechanic at Autoworld in Petaluma. And then there are his Stormtrooper days.
Wessels hasn’t always been a Star Wars nut — he was only 6 when the movie came out, after all. He’s a car nut who raced stock cars until he blew up the engine and couldn’t afford to replace it. Then he spotted a costumed Stormtrooper at an auto club event and thought, “This is a hobby I can afford.”
These days, 41-year-old Wessels climbs into his Star Wars costume whenever the mood strikes him for a day of walking, mingling and mugging for the camera.
As a member of the Golden Gate Garrison of the 501st Legion, a national club of Star Wars costumers, he marches in parades, entertains at Lucas Films events, works the crowd at AT&T Park on Star Wars Night and has even been called on to escort a groom down the aisle. And like other club members, he donates his fees to charity.
“I’m blown away by how much fun we have,” Wessels said. “It’s just crazy.”
For booking details, visit goldengategarrison.com.
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- Marcus Wessels prepares to take a break from duties as a Star Wars Sand Trooper during the Petaluma Hobby Expo 2012. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)
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- At a Petaluma Hobby Expo, Marcus Wessels feels the weight of an older gun on display. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)
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- Marcus Wessels is part of a larger group of Star Wars enthusiasts called the 501st Legion, “Vader’s Fist,” which make their own patches according to the regiment they are in. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)
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- Marcus Wessels, left, of Larkfiield plays the part of a Sand Trooper in the Butter and Egg Days Parade in Petaluma. Wessels is part of a larger group of Star Wars enthusiasts called the 501st Legion, “Vader’s First.” The costume has been almost totally handmade, or reconstructed to give an authentic feel and look. Here he is at a Petaluma Hobby Expo earlier this year. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2012
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- Marcus Wessels started with a clean Storm Trooper helmet and graduated to another by creating an authentic look to the helmet, right down to the finest detail. He makes most of the modifications to his costume in his garage. Wessels is part of a larger group of Star Wars enthusiasts called the 501st Legion, “Vader’s First.” (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2012
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- Marcus Wessels of Larkfiield plays the part of a Sand Trooper in the Butter and Egg Days Parade in Petaluma. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2012
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“Vader’s Fist” not ‘First.’