Next month will hopefully be the culmination of a dream. I recently got approved for press credentials to attend Star Wars Celebration 2017 in Orlando April 13-16. In order to afford to get there and report back all of the awesome things that are sure to be there, I have started a GoFundMe to try to see if fans of the website and podcast could give a one time donation to send me to the event .
I have been a Star Wars fan since I was a small child. The universe created by George Lucas has always exemplified some of the best attributes of humanity and some of favorite tropes from literature. I continue to be enamored and impressed with the adventures of the inhabitants in a galaxy far far away and look forward to the further big screen and small screen adventures of these iconic characters. Star Wars Celebration is one of the biggest fan events in the world and it attracts fans from all over the world to see and meet the actors who bring their favorite characters to life. As well as get first account knowledge of what is coming up next in the Star Wars universe.
According to ReedPop (the organizers of the event), these are some of the reasons why this year’s event will be so special to fans of Star Wars:
“Celebration is the official, definitive Star Wars event, with entertainment, interactive experiences and exclusives that can only be found at this Lucasfilm production. They are the ultimate community fan gathering as well, and friends will want to start planning to be together again to commemorate everyone’s favorite saga. The next official Celebration is slated for a location and date soon-to-be announced, in 2019.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Star Wars, which was released in theaters May 25, 1977. The weekend’s festivities will kick off Thursday with a 40th-anniversary panel hosted by Warwick Davis, who has starred in all three trilogies and Rogue One, alongside Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. The guests that will take part in the panel have yet to be announced, but will span the entire history of the saga, making it an event not to be missed.
Other guests that have been announced for the event include Felicity Jones (Jyn Erso from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Rian Johnson (Director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Alan Tudyk (K-2SO from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine), Ray Park (Darth Maul) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian).
It was recently announced on comicbook.com that ReedPop will not be holding a Star Wars Celebration 2018. There are detailed reasons on their website, but as a fan and a journalist, I would love to be able to find out why first hand.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2xQ0JI2v0U?ecver=1]
If you would like to donate a small amount to help me get to the convention and report back what’s there, follow this link to my GoFundMe page. Thank you in advance for taking the time.
May the Force Be With You
Star Wars Celebration 2017 Campaign.
Deron Generally