Star Wars Celebration is an official Star Wars convention held during banner years of the franchise. Beginning in May 1999[1], Lucasfilm held a Star Wars convention in Denver, Colorado to celebrate the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The seventh such event, the fifth to be held in the United States, is scheduled for August 2010 in Orlando, Florida.[2]
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Celebration II
From May 3-5, 2002, Star Wars Celebration II was held to celebrate the upcoming release of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. The convention was moved to Indianapolis, Indiana to make use of the larger convention center.[3]
Downtown Indianapolis was invaded by multitudes of Star Wars fans.[4] The initial projection of 15-20,000 people per day based on advanced ticket sales was well surpassed, and reached critical mass on Saturday. The estimated final tally was a little over 75,000 people for the three day event. The two places that received the most traffic were the Fan Club store and the autograph section, specifically for Carrie Fisher. Highlights of the event included the Rick McCallum Spectacular and Saturday nights Star Wars 25th Anniversary Concert, performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis.[5]
Celebration III
The Star Wars Celebration returned to Indianapolis from April 21-24, 2005, to commemorate the release of the final film in the saga, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.[6] With over 34,000 fans in attendance over the course of four days, Celebration III brought actor panels, costume contests, fan films, and diorama building to the Indianapolis Convention Center.[7] The Lucasfilm archive provided many important props and costumes for display. One of this Celebration's most noteworthy events was the unprecedented Q&A session with Star Wars creator George Lucas, his first such appearance since the Star Wars 10th Anniversary Convention in 1987. With approximately 10,000 fans in attendance (over the course of 3 half-hour sessions), Lucas personally answered several dozen fans' questions about the saga.
Celebration IV
On May 26, 2006, StarWars.com announced Star Wars Celebration IV (C4) to be held May 24-28, 2007 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars film.[8][9] C4 was located at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California[10]. Taking place on May 24 through May 28, the convention offered a record number of celebrities in the autograph hall, multiple exhibitors, a Star Wars art show, a Darth Vader helmet and Lucasfilm archive exhibits and many fan oriented activities. In addition, there were collector and costuming panels, including sneak peeks of the upcoming Clone Wars animated series. Fans were the first to see the footage of this series on Sunday morning as well.[11] Other highlights included conversations with Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams, a visit from Seth McFarlane and Seth Green for special Star Wars episodes of Family Guy and Robot Chicken respectively, and an efficiently organized Celebration Store. An estimated 35,000 people walked through the doors for Celebration IV over the Memorial Day weekend.[12][13]
Celebration Europe
On September 25, 2006 StarWars.com announced Star Wars Celebration Europe (CE) to be held July 13-15, 2007 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars film.[6] CE was to be located at Earls Court in London[14]. But on November 22, 2006 StarWars.com announced due to Advance interest in Celebration Europe the event would be moved to the larger venue located at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre[15] in London[16]. The event also had on display some of the largest restored Star Wars Arcade collection, estimated at around 30 to 40 machines, many of them now rarely seen in the USA or in other parts of Europe. An estimated 30,000 people attended this convention.[13]
Celebration Japan
On February 23, 2008, Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Lewis Daniel Group announced a three-day event known as "Celebration Japan", was held at the Makuhari-Messe Convention Center near Tokyo on July 19 to 21. The convention celebrated the 30th anniversary of the June 24, 1978 Japanese premiere of Star Wars. Celebration Japan included live entertainment, Star Wars celebrities, exclusive merchandise, special presentations, unique Star Wars exhibits, costume contests, and other activities.[13]
Celebration V
Lucasfilm announced in 2008 that a US-based four-day Star Wars convention called "Celebration V" will be held in the summer of 2010. In July 2008, Steve Sansweet, director of content management and head of fan relations for Lucasfilm, announced that Baltimore, Minneapolis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Orlando, Florida were competing to host this event. Organizers anticipate that 30,000 Star Wars fans would attend no matter which city was selected.[17]
Reed Exhibitions and Lucasfilm announced on December 3, 2009, that Orlando would host the event.[2] Celebration V is scheduled to be held at the Orange County Convention Center from August 12-15, 2010.[18]
References
- ^ "Star Wars Celebration Europe". http://www.celebrationeurope.com.
- ^ a b StarWars.com (December 3, 2009). "Lucasfilm and Reed Exhibitions Proud to Announce Star Wars Celebration V". Press release. http://www.starwars.com/fans/events/c5announcement/index.html. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
- ^ "Celebration III Set for Indy". Star Wars: Community. 2004-01-23. http://www.starwars.com/community/event/celebration/news20040123.html.
- ^ Cook, Bob. "Star Wars Celebration II". Flak Magazine. http://www.flakmag.com/film/clones3.html.
- ^ http://www.rebelscum.com/
- ^ a b "Star Wars Celebration Coming to Europe". Lucasfilm: Pressroom. 2006-09-25. http://www.lucasfilm.com/press/news/news20060925.html.
- ^ Britton, Bonnie (April 21, 2005). "'Star Wars' lands in Indy: Fans from around the world descend for 4-day event". Indianapolis Star: p. A1. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/indystar/access/1790429841.html?dids=1790429841:1790429841&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+21%2C+2005&author=BONNIE+BRITTON&pub=Indianapolis+Star&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc='Star+Wars'+lands+in+Indy.
- ^ "Celebration IV Official Announcement". StarWars.com. 2006-05-26. http://www.starwars.com/community/event/celebration/news20060526.html.
- ^ "Southport Reporter". http://www.southportreporter.com/300/300-15.shtml.
- ^ "The Unofficial Star Wars Celebration IV Information Portal". http://www.swcelebration.com/.
- ^ "Visitors - Whats On". ExCeL. http://www.excel-london.co.uk/en/visitors/whats_on/event.html?event=651.
- ^ "It's a Hit: A Record-Breaking Celebration IV". StarWars.com. 2007-06-14. http://www.starwars.com/community/event/celebration/news20070614.html. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- ^ a b c "Star Wars Celebration Japan to Mark 30th Anniversary of the Star Wars Saga". StarWars.com. 2008-02-23. http://www.starwars.com/community/event/celebration/news20080223.html.
- ^ Roberts, Dustin (2006-11-25). "Star Wars Celebration Europe Moved To New Location". TheForce.Net. http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/Star_Wars_Celebration_Europe_Moved_To_New_Location_101565.asp.
- ^ "Visit London". http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/708773.
- ^ "Star Wars Celebration Europe tickets". Seatwave.com. http://www.seatwave.com/star-wars-celebration-europe-tickets/season.
- ^ Ping, Dan (July 11, 2008). "Star Wars convention may land in Orlando". Orlando Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/07/14/story5.html?b=1216008000%5E1666523.
- ^ "Star Wars Celebration V lands in Orlando". Orlando Business Journal. December 3, 2009. http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/11/30/daily34.html. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
External links
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