Countdown to Star Wars Celebration VI
Back in May of 1977 I was just finishing high school and not yet eighteen. Punk music was all the rage, a gallon of gas cost 65 cents, and virtually no one had heard of Apple Computer because it hadn’t even been incorporated yet.
[Featured image: 501st Midwest Garrison]
On that hot, muggy Memorial Day weekend, I talked my sister into seeing the new flick opening at our local movie house around the corner. Some quirky little space opera that I’d heard a few interesting rumors about was playing there. For about two dollars each (plus popcorn) we settled into our non-reclining, non-cupholder-enhanced wooden movie seats and waited for the lights to dim.
When “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” appeared in blue on the black screen and a rousing brass fanfare heralded the title, followed by a text crawl in the style of some old-fashioned Flash Gordon serial, my sister and I realized we were in for something completely different from the previous month’s showing of Annie Hall. How right we were.
Seven Oscars, two sequels, and three prequels (as well as countless toys, books, apparel, video games, lunchboxes, linens, stickers and even PEZ dispensers, et al) later, the little movie that launched the Star Wars franchise remains an astounding pop culture icon. Part science fiction, part western, part romance, part adventure, part drama, Star Wars was, simply put, the ground-breaking film of its day.
And with the franchise having accumulated an estimated amazing $33 billion in total worldwide revenue to date, this planet’s love for everything Star Wars shows no sign of abating anytime soon.
Even I have contributed to the Star Wars collecting mania in my own small way. My very first purchase was way back in late 1977: a copy of the Ken Films licensed 8mm 8-min Star Wars film clip reel to be played on our home movie projector.
You must remember that this was several years before VHS machines were common household items and 28 years before YouTube was invented! Being able to watch film clips of a current movie at home was a unique and very special experience for the average moviegoer. And even 35 years later, albeit faded and a bit snowy, that little film still plays — and elicits much the same wide-eyed wonder from its owner.
I know I have a boxful of original Star Wars Kenner action figures residing in a shoebox in the back of a closet somewhere. Not realizing the value of the packaging at the time, they are all unfortunately un-carded, but still priceless as far as I’m concerned.
So I was surprised when I realized that in all my treks to various sci-fi conventions over the years I’d never yet been to a con that celebrates the very birth of my passion for that galaxy far, far away.
However, that changes later this week when I step foot into the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida for my first ever Star Wars con.
Star Wars Celebration VI bills itself as “the biggest party this side of the galaxy,” and promises to “deliver a landmark experience where memories are made, families brought together, old friends reunited, and new friendships formed — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe.”
The convention offers an array of exhibits, an interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, and fan-inspired activities such as costume contest and even a speed dating session (!), plus the opportunity to simply mix and mingle with 40,000 other like-minded Star Wars fans.
Special guests at this year’s event include actors Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), to name just a few, as well as a slew of sound designers and editors, visual effects supervisors, makeup artists, ILM model makers, FX artists, voice actors, authors and directors all instrumental in bringing pieces of the franchise to life. This is quite a lineup and certainly this longtime fan’s dream come true.
I’ll be snapping countless photos and reporting from Star Wars Celebration VI starting Friday, August 24. Check back here for more adventures in nostalgia and for updates on breaking Star Wars franchise news as it becomes available.
You can also follow my convention tweets on Twitter: @SeshatTravels
Just a great post for the best saga ever. I’m a huge fan of Star Wars in all the aspects and can’t wait to read and see more in your next posts
I hope you have fun at the convention. I just recently rewatched all the films, and they certainly are amazing. I just hope that any plans to remake them don’t get put into action for at least another 35 years!
that’s a party you wana be invited to haha. it must have been so cool to see star wars the day it came out. I saw episode one when it came out and i went aorund for years trying to be a jedi haha, star wars is….it just IS. It’s one of my favorite movies ever….
This would have been so cool to go to. My husband and I met “in a galaxy far, far away” while we were playing Star Wars Galaxies. We even went so far as to use music from the movies at both our wedding and our reception. Our kids LOVE the movies and our daughter is about all things R2D2! Enjoy your time and can’t wait to read more about it!
I am too a big Starwars fan. my first sci-fi movie that I fell in love with. I don’t have the toys though yet I remember having the same hair-do as Princess Leah one way or another. HAHAHA!!! Now, my son loves them too. . I remember last year he went as Master Yoda for their Halloween party in school. What a great post this is fun to read?! Hope I can read about the Starwars VI Celebration too.
Seriously I love Star Wars, wish I could be there
Thanks for sharing and congrats on the FP! 🙂
So I think it is pretty well established that Alec Guiness hated the fact that his legacy was reduced to being the guy who played Obi-Wan. And that is all I could think of looking at that image. What must he have been thinking just then, a distinguished Tony and Academy award winning actor, surrounded by these jokers? I like to imagine that his look says it all.
Growing up in a Star Wars family, let me just say I get it. I’m super jealous of you, Debbie, have a ton of extra fun for me! Great article as well. 🙂
I have my figures and vehicles well stored (not in carbonite!) I should check on them, make sure they still work properly.
Enjoy the convention!
I’m a huge Star Wars geek. Have fun at the event and thanks for posting!
Reblogged this on Alco the Visioneer and commented:
Awesome!!!!
im Surprised they did not make another star wars that took place in future
Fun post, and congrats on being freshly pressed.
I think, that SW is the best movie ever for many people 🙂
I don’t know what you’re talking about, there have only been three Star Wars movies: IV, V, and Vi.
I am so sad that we can’t make it to Celebration VI. We went to Celebration IV and that was a blast (my first con of any kind). Looking forward to your pictures. “Star Wars” is indeed a very special movie.
Wow! I think Star Wars is the best movie ever made.
Gran película.
This post is so cool… Remembers me about me sitting in the theatre just like you on wooden chairs. May the force be with you!
Love the bit about the 8 mm film. Despite the sometimes awful picture and sound quality, there was something thrilling about hearing a movie projector whirring away in your own home.
Now… how do we get a Star Wars Con in Seattle? It could ease the stigma of the media images from the recent, slovely Hempfest…
Wow, the dark side got ahold of my keyboard for a moment. Obviously I meant slovenly… Seattle’s own version of Chalmun’s Cantina, which is not what I want our fair city to be known for. We’re so stereotyped already.
Reblogged this on SBS-Seattle.com.
I love star wars! Thanks for this post!!