And I couldn’t be happier since I live about an hour from this.
Announced just a few short minutes ago, Star Wars Celebration V will be headed to Orlando.
Via press release:
LUCASFILM AND REED EXHIBITIONS ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
STAR WARS™ CELEBRATION VCelebrating the 30th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back,
Massive Fan Event will Take Place in Orlando, Florida August 12-15, 2010;
Registration Will Go Live Thursday, December 10Norwalk, CT, December 3, 2009: Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and the ongoing, weekly adventures of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Reed Exhibitions’ PopGroup will partner to produce what’s expected to be one of the largest official Star Wars fan events ever – featuring cast and crew celebrities, fan-run events, costumes, music, live entertainment, screenings, autographs, collectibles, panels and sneak peaks into the future of Star Wars.
Star Wars Celebration V will take place August 12-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. A website, www.starwarscelebration.com, is dedicated exclusively to the event, and tickets to Star Wars Celebration V will be available for purchase online starting Thursday, Dec. 10. As always, Celebration will bring together the best of the Star Wars universe in one exciting, dynamic event.
Lucasfilm Ltd launched Star Wars Celebrations in 1999. Since then, the official Star Wars “parties” have become mega events, attracting tens of thousands of loyal and devoted fans and families. To date, there have been four Star Wars Celebrations in America, as well as a Star Wars Celebration Europe (2007) and Star Wars Celebration Japan (2008). Star Wars Celebration V will be the first Star Wars Celebration produced jointly with Reed PopGroup, which is responsible for the successful New York Comic Con, the new Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and more.
The fact that they have teamed up with Reed on this just makes me want to go even more. I’ve never been, so any readers out there who have, I’d like for you to share your experiences and any advice.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:36 am
I just texted all my buddies, I’ve never been but would LOVE to go!!! We can drive to Florida in 21-hours non-stop from Cleveland OH! I so want to go to this, especially since it’ll be the the 30th anniversary of the BEST of all the Star Wars movies imo, The Empire Strikes Back!!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
This is awesome – two major star wars events in the same year in Orlando
First its Star Wars weekend at Disney and now this in August
Pricing could be a bit cheaper but the best part is its only 2 1/2 hours from me
and it is supposed to be the biggest one yet
Can’t wait!!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Because nothing says full stormtrooper costume like Florida in August.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Mr. Stormtrooper,
I wouldn’t worry too much. I live here and it doesn’t really get that hot in August, it’s mainly May-July you have to worry about.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I live in central Florida, so I’ll definitely be going. That said, I went to the one in Indianapolis a few years ago–I think it was the first or second one, happening not long before Episode II came out. Got a 3-pass ahead of time (still have the lanyard, even), and it was a blast! I’ll never forget the morning of the first day: We got a room adjacent to the convention center, and my brother and I looked out the window when we got up to see a line literally wrapped around the outside of the convention center. Crazy.
The halls were constantly packed, tons of merchandise, and since we’d never been to Indy before, my brother and I walked around the downtown area. It was quite an experience, because no matter where we went the whole weekend, be it the mall or a fast food place, we would run into Storm Troopers and Darth Vaders. Everyone was really excited and enthused to be there.
The highlight for us, though, was on the last day of the convention, we bumped into Ben Burtt just walking the show floor. And despite all those Star Wars fans gathered there, as well as the fact that Mr. Burtt had participated in a panel the previous day, my brother and I were the only ones who recognized him. We talked for a few minutes, just one-on-one, and he even posed for a couple of pictures with us. Awesome guy and a very cool experience.
Anyway, it was tons of fun, and since this one’s going to be in my backyard, I can’t wait to experience it again! I’m really looking forward to it!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I went to the first one in Indiana, and it was awesome. Much closer to Cleveland than Florida, but maybe I can take some vacation days and knock out SW and the Harry Potter world at Universal all in one week!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Mr. Stormtrooper,
I live in Central Florida but apparently not the same Central Florida as Mr. Pitts because it IS hot in August. That having been said, the con center has excellent air conditioning. Sometimes it gets downright frigid in there.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I’ve been to the first four. The first one being in Denver in 1999. I loved it even those many complained about rain and long lines. The last being in Los Angeles in 2007 for the 30th Annv. of A New Hope. I am excited for the new promoter in Reed. They will make this show the best it can be. Yet, I will admit that the 2007 show lacked the intensity of the first three. This could be because it didn’t have a major Star Wars film to fall along with and pull fans. I only want to go because of the new venue and the new promoter. For some reason more fans on the east coast vs west coast. But I am leary of the content. Nothing being annouced yet. I’ve met most of the actors. I’ve been to the panels. And besides The Clone Wars, whats really new for Star Wars in 2010? Thus, I’ve been to four of these and I kinda feel like “Been There. Done That.”
December 6th, 2009 at 9:31 am
I went to Celebration II and it was the biggest clusterf*** I’ve had the misfortune to be a part of.
December 17th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Are they doing clone wars season 3 for the TV show? I’ve heard Lucas wants to do at most 5 seasons which does seem excessive for Episode 2 storyline that should’ve ended 4 years ago before Revenge of the Sith hit theaters.
I want the live action series to hit very soon but don’t have much confidence in the SW producers since they are the same ones that gave us the crappy prequels. You could probably expect the same type of shoddy directing and storytelling when debuts in 2012.