The STAR WARS™ franchise has amassed a huge fan following since its first movie, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in 1977. And as a tribute to the brand, fans worldwide celebrate the longevity of the franchise on May the 4th, a date derived from the iconic phrase, May the Force be with You, to celebrate everything STAR WARS™ related.

(Photo: RENDY ARYANTO/Visual Verve Studios)

In Singapore, event organiser Esprimo and STAR WARS™ fans, with the support of Singapore Tourism Board, will come together to commemorate May the 4th with the second edition of the STAR WARS™ DAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU Festival.

The two day festival will be taking place at the F1 Pit Building and fans can look forward to a host of activities relating to STAR WARS™. It will truly be a treat for fans islandwide.

For starters, the founder of the international STAR WARS™ costuming organisation, 50st Legion, Albin Johnson and his pink astromech droid R2-KT will be making an appearance. This will be his first ever public appearance in South East Asia and he will be roving around the festival grounds on 4th May from 4pm and 5th May from 2pm. This will be a once in a lifetime chance to get up close and personal to him.

Albin’s pink astromech droid, R2-KT will also be present. This droid is a star too, having made an appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in 2015.

R2-KT was initially created for Albin’s late daughter, Katie Johnson, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2004. Albin built the droid to watch over Katie. Today R2-KT is a symbol of Albin’s efforts to spread awareness of paediatric illness and in memory of Katie.

Besides R2-KT, a strong force of more than 30 STAR WARS™ fans from various fan clubs will be marching dressed in their costumes on both days of the festival. This will be at 7pm on 4th May and 1pm and 7.30pm on 5th May. They will also pose for photo opportunities with fans.

(Photo: RENDY ARYANTO/Visual Verve Studios)

There will also be a special performance by the Dark Empire Singapore’s STAR WARS™ tribute band who arrange and perform their own rendition of STAR WARS™ classic themes.

500 vintage and modern toys from 1977 till today will also be on display, and STAR WARS™ fans will also have the chance to catch a movie under the stars too.

A kids fashion parade will also be put together for the young fans. Children aged under 12 can dress up as their favourite STAR WARS™ character and three participants with the most creative costumes and ability to personify their characters will win prizes. Participants must be accompanied by their parents or guardians and the first 40 participants to register on-site will get a goodie bag each.

Fans who capture a photo at the selfie wall of the Royal Selangor booth at the STAR WARS™ May the 4th festival dressed in a STAR WARS™ themed outfit, and post it on social media with the hashtag #StarWarsXRoyalSelangor can stand to win a Royal Selangor Millennium Falcon worth S$850.

As well participants can also stand to bring home a special edition STAR WARS™ pewter dish when they explore the art of pewtersmithing at the Royal Selangor School Of Hard Knocks and learn how to create their own personalised pewter dish. Registration is available at S$50 per person, for the first 200 to sign up for the workshop.

And not forgetting the STAR WARS™ RUN, which made its debut with resounding success last year. Returning on 5th May at the F1 Pit Building and Marina Bay, this run features three race categories – the 540m Young Jedi Dash, as well as the non competitive 5.4km and the competitive 10km run. So there is something for runners of all ages and walks of life.

Runners can choose to join the Rebellion on the Light Side, or succumb to their anger and hatred on the Dark Side. Both routes feature engagement zones to bring the STAR WARS™ experience to life.

As well, members of the Rebel Alliance and soldiers from the Empire will flag off the Light Side and the Dark Side respectively.

Runners from the Light Side and the Dark Side will also run in opposite directions in the 5.4km run, under the night sky which will be lit up with sensational pyrotechnic displays.

As a STAR WARS™ fan myself, I am looking forward to taking part in the STAR WARS™ Run this year. I have registered for the 5.4km category together with my dad. Just like Luke Skywalker and his father, we will be representing the Light and the Dark sides respectively.

(Photo: RENDY ARYANTO/Visual Verve Studios)

For competitive runners, a special trophy sponsored by event partner Royal Selangor awaits the top three finishers. They will receive this alongside a Garmin Forerunner watch worth up to S$599 and prize money of up to S$1,000.

Finishers of the 10km and 5.4km category will also get a commemorative medal unique to their category and a finisher tee shirt.

Collectors of STAR WARS™ items can also look forward to buying limited edition collectibles and merchandise created for this year’s May the 4th event. These include a STAR WARS™ RUN umbrella, 55cm electronic lightsaber, special edition pins and the Solo: A Star Wars Story Golden Village Movie Card Combo

Register for the run at www.starwarsrun.sg by 13th April to be part of the adventure.

All photos in this post are courtesy of The Walt Disney Company South East Asia and Esprimo.