Celebrating Star Wars in the home of the Creator
By Middagh Goodwin
On May 4th, Star Wars is on everyone’s mind worldwide. But it is an extra-special day here in Modesto, USA, home to the creator, George Lucas. The original Star Wars movie was released on May 25, 1977, a day that changed modern film forever. From the opening theme and the rolling script, the world had a new lexicon of interstellar, starships, and even speed measurements. In as little as a few parsecs, this film propelled Modesto native George Lucas into the Hyperspace of film fame.
We have celebrated May the Fourth since 2016, when the Modesto City Council was the first to make an official proclamation, making it Star Wars Day. Yes, friends, this is our day, and we will celebrate and bring the action to the 10th St Plaza. So bring the whole family and join the Northern California Star Wars community in celebrating May 4 in Downtown Modesto—a free, family-friendly event. We have invited the 501st, the Wolves of Mandalore, the Rebel Legion, and Astromech builders to join us at this event. Horizon Point will go full Jedi performing in the Plaza; you can expect a few musical interludes from the movies. There will be vendors, artists, face painters, and two extraordinary guests, Andrew Nelson, who spent more time in the Darth Vader suit than any other actor, and David Gonzales, who portrayed Ak-Rev in the 1997 special edition of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. You won’t want to miss the lightsaber battles as the sun goes down. I will create a Death Star Piñata for the kids to decimate. There will be a Tie-Fighter and an X-Wing, along with other photo ops. Everyone is encouraged to cosplay as their favorite Star Wars characters. Monday, May 4th, 5-9 pm in the 10th Street Plaza.
5:00 pm Start
5:30 pm Reading of the Proclamation and Introduction with Chris Murphy, and Assemblyman Obi Juan Alanis, and any other Special Guests
6:00 pm Death Star Pinata
6:30 pm Get your pictures with Din Grogu aka Baby Yoda
approx 8:30 pm Light Saber Battle in the Plaza
Horizon Point will perform their full Jedi show in the Plaza, complete with musical interludes from the movies, throughout the event.
The State Theatre will be showing Star Wars Episodes IV, V, and VI on May 2nd and 3rd. Watch them on the big screen, as Lucas intended. The Mandalorian and Grogu are set to premiere on May 22.
