One million square feet saturated in Star Wars. Six days of events, including a six-movie marathon of the entire Star Wars big-screen saga. Seven live stages. Celebrity guests from the movies, television, and animation. Live Star Wars laser tag featuring Stormtroopers to target. Three hundred members of the media. More than 35,000 individual revelers. If Celebration III was billed as the party of a lifetime, Celebration IV might have been the party to make fans forget all other parties.
Located at the Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, the heart of the entertainment world, Celebration IV did not herald the release of a new Star Wars movie, but rather commemorated the 30th anniversary of A New Hope, and celebrated what was coming in Star Wars, including the very first look into the upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series. Dave Filoni attended his first Celebration as a part of the program. Venturing a guess, I would say he had no idea how many Celebrations he would attend in the future, and how well-loved he would become by the Star Wars community (see Filoni at Celebration Europe).
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Flashback to the Celebration IV Clone Wars announcement:
“It’s been talked about for two years, but the long wait to hear about The Clone Wars from Lucasfilm Animation is nearing an end as fans at Celebration IV will be able to go behind the scenes with the crew of this extraordinary new Star Wars television series.
“Catherine Winder, producer of The Clone Wars, and Supervising Director Dave Filoni will make a special appearance at Celebration IV on Sunday, May 27. During presentations in the Celebration Theater (Room 408AB), Winder and Filoni will explore the genesis of the series and reveal how a talented team of artists, designers and animators at Lucasfilm Animation — many of them longtime Star Wars fans — have been bringing an exciting, cinematic style to the CG-animated The Clone Wars.
“It’s the first public presentation by the creative team behind The Clone Wars and promises a fascinating glimpse at the unique process that goes into the creation of this significant new chapter in the Star Wars saga, created under the guidance of George Lucas himself.”
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The Clone Wars sneak peek of the first footage was greeted by ovations at each screening. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars movie, the mayor of Los Angeles dropped by to proclaim May 25 “Star Wars Day.” The US Post Office issued the new Star Wars stamp set. Seth McFarlane and Seth Green hung out with fans in the VIP lounge, and McFarlane reportedly bought drinks for them. Celebrity fans from the surrounding area brought their kids to enjoy the show.
Los Angeles, the self-proclaimed “Entertainment Capital of the World” proved the right location for the Entertainment Capital of the Star Wars World: Celebration.
The Death Star hovered over the grand entrance to Celebration IV. Photo by Karen Louie.
I could not find many decent photographs of the Epic Cake Serving - the event might have been too traumatic for my Elite Squad. Volunteer Kim Knight helps “Team Cake” serve more than 5000 pieces of cake to fans during the Opening Ceremonies at Celebration IV. The cake, inspired by the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars Saga, was distributed by a dedicated team of Celebration volunteers - my invaluable Elite Squad - who not only love Star Wars but also help behind the scenes to make the events a success. Many have traveled to the Celebrations worldwide, and I will see many of them again at Celebration Europe. I thank the Maker for them every event. Photo by C. Scott Campbell.
Tags: Anniversary, Celebration Europe, Celebration IV, Los Angeles, star wars, The Clone Wars
“Team Cake! Never again!”
It was a good work chant.
But seriously. We give you a hard time about it, but I think everyone on the Elite Squad is just grateful we get to help throw the party…
…even if the site of icing gives us flashbacks.
Agreed. We may joke about it a lot, but we’d be there in a heartbeat to do it all again. Hopefully with a little more time.
I’ve never loved a “job” as much as I love volunteering with the Elite Squad and helping make the magic happen for thousands of people. Thank you Mary for such a great opportunity!
Now, if I could just drive to Germany… will see you and be there next one stateside!
That cake was worth the flyover from Germany. Hanging with friends, watching rabid fans battle for the cake rings, and the wonderful slogan: “Team Cake! Never Again.” That was truly fun.
Yes the I haven’t eaten cake since! It was my first time to LA and my daughter Michelle, who was too young at the time to be an elite squad member, helped out with the cake anyway. It’s a great bonding memory that we all shared and it was allot of fun. For us, the Celebrations are a family afair with 3 generations working the last one-my 70 year old dad, myself, and 20 year old daughter. We’ll definitely be back for the next one and look forward to see everyone in the Star Wars Community again!
Kudos to all of you guys who helped with the massive cake undertaking!! That was one of the highlights of Celebration IV for me – it was just so unexpected!
Celebration IV was my first Star Wars Celebration, and what an event it was! I was there in the audience and enjoyed a piece of that cake. Thank you to all the volunteers. Celebration IV was sort of a turning point in my life. I knew Star Wars was popular, but this was the first time in the 30 years of my Star Wars life that I truly felt I was not alone in my level of fandom. Celebration IV also introduced me to the world of Star Wars costume building. Immediately after CIV, I joined the ranks of the Mandalorian Mercs, and have stayed an active member within that organization, which simply raised my Star Wars fandom to another level.