Well it has been less then a week since Star Wars Celebration has ended and I still keep waking up wishing I was still there. For me with this being my first Celebration I wish it could of kept going at least one more week. Going into Celebration I really didn’t know what to expect. I have heard stories form past celebrations and I was a little worried about getting to see what all it had to offer. But from the minute I arrived in Chicago I started to have a Star Wars experience I could never dream of.
I quickly learn that Celebration wasn’t just about all the big Star Wars news coming out. Now don’t get me wrong I enjoyed every minute of all the new trailers and panels. Celebration was about us fans. It didn’t manner who you were, where you were from, or your background. Celebration was for us. From trading patches and pins, buying new stuff to add to your collection, cosplaying, or getting that autograph you have always wanted it was all there. Celebration was full of surprises. I mean you never know who you would run into and in my case who you would be hanging out with all night.
All the Big News
First, I will start with all the latest news. If you were like me, I teared up when the STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker trailer played. For a few minutes the exhibit floor stopped and everyone watch, cried and laughed together. It will be a feeling I will never forget. But that wasn’t it we go to see the new trailer for the Mandalorian, The Resistance, and The Clone Wars. It wasn’t all about movies either. We got to see what the new Galaxy’s Edge would be like and preview new game like Vader Immortal. There was so much new stuff it was hard to take it all in.
The Swag
Wow, with this being my first Star Wars Celebration I had no clue how big the Swag game was there. Everyone is going crazy for patches, pins, and buttons. People out of know where would come up to you to see what you had for trade. Luckily, I am part of an amazing group here in Indiana called the Indiana Star Wars Collecting Community. They got me a little ready for the trading but again I had now clue how intense it would be. I had some coins to get me started and man did it blow up from there.
It wasn’t just coins Star Wars fans take their patch collecting very seriously. There were some amazing patch sets including one set our group from Indiana help with. Finally, there are the pins. It was fun watching people trade pins and trying complete the set. I even got a little caught up in the excitement.
Buying for your collection
Celebration had something for everyone. You could buy vintage to modern Star Wars figures and ships. Of course, there were a lot of Celebration exclusives. Funko, Hasbro, and Lego were some of the most popular venders. When they let everyone in it was a mad dash to these and other vendors on the floor. One of the busiest areas was the artist alley. Some of my favorite artist were there. There were so many prints to choose from artist such as Brian DeGuire, Brian Miller, Joe Corroney and Alex Buechel just to name a few. You can check out their Facebook pages by clicking on their names. And yes, I did buy a few to many prints.
Brian DeGuire 
Brian Miller 
Joe Corroney 
Alex Buechel
The Cosplay
There are so many talented people when it comes to cosplaying. I myself went as Jedi Master Greg. But there were some out there that would just blow you away. Of course, you would have the movie like quality costumes from the 501st. But, the creativity and talent of some just made your mouth drop. Some of my favorites were of Cade Bane, General Grievous, Boba Fett and Ashoka. It was hard to pick a number one because they were all so good. The best part about the cosplay was that everyone had fun. It was neat to see the smiles and happiness that it brought to everyone.
Autographs and Meet and Greets
Another exciting part about Star Wars celebration was the autographs and meet and greets. How cool is it that fans young and old can get pictures and autographs with their favorite Star Wars actors? From the original Trilogy to the animated series there were actors there for all fans to enjoy. Some of the ones that I got that I will never forget were from Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, and Ian McDiarmid. Growing up with the original trilogy it ment a lot to me to get those autographs.
You never know what will happen
Star Wars fans walking around celebration never knew who they were going to run into. Some ran into Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau and even JJ Abrams. Those are memories that fans will never forget. As for me I got lucky and got to meet some of my favorite actors. My first night there I got to hang out with Daniel Logan who played young Boba Fett. It was great to sit down and talk Star Wars with him. And just when I thought it could not get better the next night, I got to meet Peter Mayhew. I even got to hang out and talk with my favorite Star Wars comic cover artist John Tyler Christopher. So, wow, you never know what will happen at Star Wars Celebration.
Daniel Logan and Starwarsnerd574 
John Tyler Christopher and Starwarsnerd574
Celebration is for the fans
Like I said before Star Wars Celebration is for us, the fans. I got to meet people from around the world, different races and different beliefs. But none of that stuff matter we were all part of one group and the was being a Star Wars fan. It was great waiting in lines talking with complete strangers and getting excited over the same things. There was no hate and anger, just fans that loved Star Wars. You made friends that you would have never met if it wasn’t for Celebration. We all hated to see it end, but the best part is that we are getting another one next year in Anaheim California. I can’t wait to meet up with the friends I made and the new friends that I will make.
I want to hear from you
So, I just want to say THANK YOU Star Wars fans for making my first Celebration one I will never forget. I want to hear about your Celebration experience. You can do it a few different ways. You can leave a message at the bottom of this article or you can hit us up on Twitter @thathashtagshow and myself @starwarsnerd574. Also make sure to stay up to date on all the Star Wars news by following us at ThatHashtagShow.com.
