Not so long ago, just last weekend actually, I had the privilege to journey to the galaxy far, far away and attend Star Wars Celebration Orlando 2017, for the first time. My anticipation for what felt like a once in a lifetime chance was high, very high. Growing up with Star Wars as a child and imagining myself as part of these worlds and these stories, meant the world to me. Like many of you, I cherished many life lessons I learned from the saga. Star Wars helped shape me in many ways. Learning that I would be able to be a part of Star Wars Celebration seemed unreal!
Four days of Star Wars from sun up to sun down, completely immersed in the most wonderful fandom universe created, just never seemed enough. Every day held something new from my favorite universe. Dedicated fans stayed over night and survived the “Reed Pop” Wars, braving unimaginable lines to attend their favorite panels and beating the odds to see their favorite actors and actresses.
However, what I will take with me and remember most are my fellow Star Wars fans. Watching the 40th Anniversary Panel, The Last Jedi Panel, and even the Star Wars Rebels Panel with 300 or more fans that shared the same love and excitement as I did, was an incredible experience in and of itself. Seeing fellow fans cosplaying as their favorite Star Wars characters and bringing the greatest saga to life and the impact it made, even to a child, was incredible.
Despite Reed Pop and Topps all but executing Order 66 themselves, nothing could have overshadowed or outshined the energy and electricity, the Force, that flowed through this spectacular Celebration. Although we don’t quite know when or where the next Star Wars Celebration will be held, we can look forward to the next time that we can all come together once again to celebrate the saga that has impacted us as fans for 40 years. Here’s to many more. May the force be with you!
Danny White
Kessel Run Weekly
@kesselrunweekly