One year ago this weekend 10s of 1,00os of Star Wars fans flocked to the Anaheim convention center for Star Wars Celebration Anaheim. The official Lucasfilm/Disney convention played host to loads of Star Wars celebrities, movie and animated debuts, merchandise vendors and panels on every aspect of fandom. From4-LOMtoZuckuss.com was there as a member of the Star Wars press and co-host on the Podcast Stage. With the next Celebration still a few months away in London, we thought we’d relive some of the highlights from the biggest Star Wars Celebration to date!
We packed our bags and headed from Seattle to Anahiem after work on Wednesday.
We brought along plenty of swag including a few different buttons.
Jedi Luke, our buddy Jon and I decided to wait in live overnight to get into the main arena to see JJ and KK.
We weren’t alone.
We received visitors throughout the night like Ahmed Best (Jar Jar) and JTA (James Arnold Taylor aka Obi-Wan) and JJ and KK even sent pizza!
Our buddy Criz Bee (JediBusiness.com) had a much better view than we did! #frontrow
The crowd went crazy for the trailer and seeing the entire cast (sans Harrison) on stage.
Hasbro gave a few first looks at some new figures like Vader and Ahsoka from Rebels.
In addition to getting a 10-minute interview with Hasbro they showed us some of their great new figures.
Ahsoka TBS made her debut first unpainted and then painted later on at the show.
Sadly now TFA product was shown.
But we did get to meet Dave Filoni at the Hasbro booth!
Hey is that Hasbro wearing our swag buttons? You bet it is.
The cosplay was killer! Even Sansweet appreciated these two.
Phasma Trooper?
Awesome Jawa being followed or stalked by Pablo Hidalgo.
Don’t listen to Yoda, you are never too old to begin your training.
This little sweetie was a total parent win!
This on the other hand…
Freaking huge and awesome!
Not everyone can pull this one off.
Jaxxon has never looked so good!
The “not so secret” room sales were a lot of fun.
Met up with our friend Carlos from Star Wars Comic Books on FB to cover the Marvel panel.
Took in the world premiere of Revenge of the Sith in 3D.
Did a bit of patch trading.
Got a good laugh from some of the prices at the show.
But also had a few good cries. #stillmissingTVCAhsoka
Tricked a Jedi Master. #nophotosplease
Also tricked a Sith Lord. So what are you if you fool both a Jedi and Sith? #iamsnoke
Became a Rebel for a day.
Watched the very cool Lost Missions arcs from The Clone Wars.
Interviewed the Disney rep on info about the Disney Park exclusive Droid Factory build-a-droid line.
Hooked up with Christian (aka BobbyBobs) from VintageStarWarsCollectors.com at the Archive Party.
We teamed up Tom for some exclusive exclusive pins.
Most likely the best cosplay of the con.
Another standout at the Chive Cast party.
Podcasted live from the Podcast Stage with my brothers from Galaxy of Toy Podcast! Right to left: me, Ryan Beise, Jason Luttrull, Criz Bee and Tom Berges.
Hung out in the Collectors Lounge and did some Scavenger Hunting.
We didn’t win but our buddy Mark did!
We bid of some Vader case art peices but were quickly outbid.
Here’s one of our besties Tom Berges from IGrewUpStarWars.com doing the celebrity thing with his appearance in the documentary Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys.
Did a little vintage toy shopping.
And a little modern on the show floor.
Really wished this was in my price range.
When the con was over I hooked up with my collecting club for one last adventure.
What trip to Southern California would be complete without a visit to the Sarlacc Pit filming location with Gus Lopez and SARLACC (Seattle ARea Lucasfilm Collecting Club!
A few miles of dune walking gets you to Buttercup Valley previous home of the might Jabba’s Sail Barge.
It was a fantastic time and not only did we see and do so many cool things, there were some many things we were so busy doing we didn’t even capture an image of! In the end, we met a lot of great fellow collectors and fans and that was the best take away from the whole show. We are looking forward to doing it all again next year for Celebration…Orlando perhaps?
Till next time,
May the Figures be with you!
