More than 30,000 Star Wars fans from around the world gathered in Indianapolis for the largest official convention to be held.
Interest in the four-day Celebration III has been buoyed by the May 19 release of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the final film in George Lucas’ prequel trilogy.
Media outlets around the world have sent representatives, and downtown hotels are booked solid.
The star attraction is creator Lucas, who will tomorrow make his first appearance at a fan convention since 1987.
The convention also offers the chance to snatch up movie action figures and watch the Stormtrooper Olympics or the “DroidYard 500”, a race and obstacle course featuring robotic figures modelled after the beeping, affable character R2-D2.
“It is the ultimate sci-fi,” said Amanda Johnston of Detroit.
The convention, which opened yesterday and runs until Sunday, is the only US Star Wars convention sanctioned by Lucasfilm, says company spokeswoman Lynn Fox. The first was held in 1999 in Denver, followed by Celebration II in Indianapolis in 2002.
The event is so popular that fans from Mexico, Japan and Europe have chartered jets to Indianapolis, said Steve Sansweet, director of content management for Lucasfilm and head of fan relations.