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Alright, I promised a thread on my #StarWarsCelebration experience and I'm gonna deliver.
To say it was an experience of a lifetime is an understatement, really. To be with people who understand my love of stories, these stories, filled my heart so much!
To say it was an experience of a lifetime is an understatement, really. To be with people who understand my love of stories, these stories, filled my heart so much!
When I arrived on Thursday, I walked in to the mural and I legit started to tear up. To see all of the movies and animated series represented was so satisfying and wonderful.
Then, I walked in to a fan meetup with @StarWarsExplain and @MollieDamon. I couldn't believe my timing! They are some of the best people in the fandom and to meet them in person was truly wonderful.
Next, I went to pick up my pre-ordered Rogue One art from the wonderful @mikepasqualeart and he surprised me with three of his gorgeous pins, too! I love his anime art style and I told him I wish @starwars would start to create more content in this style. He's amazing and so kind
Friday started with the EPIX panel which I was lucky enough to win a seat for. Being in that arena and seeing the teaser trailer was otherworldly, but having Ian MacDiarmid appear and say "roll it again" will be something I never forget. 
Friday continued with my first photo op with @RealFPJr and @SamWitwer, who were both just lovely and so sweet. Kanan is one of my favorite characters of all time and Sam has done so much for this universe/fandom, I felt so honored to meet them. The photo ain't bad either. 
The day ended with panels on publishing and covering star wars, both absolutely informative and fun. Met some great fans in line, all from the Midwest. Just shows you how many people benefitted from having Celebration in Chicago this time around, me included!
Saturday was the most tiring day, but oh so worth it. Started it waiting in line at 6 am for a chance at getting the #MasterandApprentice exclusive signed by Claudia Gray. Thanks to @catray, I kept my sanity and we did get the exclusive! It's beautiful.
Then, it was the #RebelsRemembered panel, probably the one panel that was most important for me because of how much I love this show and its storytelling. Dave Filoni was a riot, talking about trust trees and hearing from @vanmarshall, @iamtaylorgray and @tiyasircar was a treat.
This day ended with probably my favorite panel in terms of kicking back and just having a good time. The Let's Play with @DavidWCollins, @acarboni, @SamWitwer, @Janina and @Daniel_Logan was FREAKING AMAZING.
Just a bunch of laughs and old Star Wars video games.
Just a bunch of laughs and old Star Wars video games.
PLUS, we now have this gem of a moment with @SamWitwer before he started playing The Force Unleashed. If I get to Anaheim next year, I hope they do something similar because it was just a riot and something I'll always remember. 
https://twitter.com/DevintheStone/status/1117386329350967296?s=09
https://twitter.com/DevintheStone/status/1117386329350967296?s=09
Saturday night started with the @CoffeeWthKenobi podcast meetup and while I wasnt able to stay long, I got to meet a couple listeners of my podcast ( @heartskyberpod) and I FINALLY met the oh-so-wonderful and sweet, @ObsKenobs. And yes, he's even more wonderful in person.
I also went to the @SteeleWars live show, which was just stellar. Met some great people, said hi to Steele and got to see him do his thing in real time. I'll never forget it!
Sunday was my sleeping in day so I didnt do much until the afternoon, but it was my day to meet Hayden for a photo op. To say I was stoked is an understatement. Hayden is incredibly soft spoken but he was so sweet and caring in that brief time we had.
I wrote a little something here that explains why it was such a profound moment for me. I started to cry after walking out of the photo area as it hit me that I actually met him. https://twitter.com/reviewsbyrae/status/1117629650707058688?s=09
Sunday ended with standing in line for the From A Certain Point of View author signing and watching the stream of the #clonewars 
panel.
All 10 authors were amazing and props to @DelReyStarWars for their efficiency. They got 300 people through in an hour!!!!
panel. All 10 authors were amazing and props to @DelReyStarWars for their efficiency. They got 300 people through in an hour!!!!
Monday, the final day. I was in a streaming room for the TPM anniversary panel and it was an absolute blast. We reminisced to 1999, had an awesome Weird Al lip sync competition and I loved every second of the panel. Seeing the love that @ahmedbest got filled my heart!
The #StarWarsResistance panel was another amazing highlight. Seeing that cast onstage was a delight and for me, seeing @ChristopherSean was so thrilling. I relate to Kaz so much and to hear him say "here we go" in his voice was unreal. 
Next time, I hope to meet him!
Next time, I hope to meet him!
Plus, they also showed us the entire first ep of season 2! Watching it on a big screen with hundreds of other fans was extremely special. We gasped, laughed and teared up together.
Also, met some wonderful dudes in line for this one who gushed about how much they Ahsoka.
Also, met some wonderful dudes in line for this one who gushed about how much they
Ahsoka.
The last few hours of Celebration were so bittersweet. Just walked around, took as much in as I could before I headed home.
Thinking back on it, I'm sad I haven't done Celebration earlier but it being in Chicago gave me such a wonderful opportunity to go for the first time.
Thinking back on it, I'm sad I haven't done Celebration earlier but it being in Chicago gave me such a wonderful opportunity to go for the first time.
Here are some of my favorite cosplayers. If you know their Twitter handle, please feel free to tell me so I can do a shout out.
Special thanks to these people for making my Celebration what it was!
@ForceGrey @Perry_Downing @catray @ally_m_andrews @CalJHarris @JoystickChevron @TheRealDFronz @8tb24 @devinatteln @BlueJaigEyes @aDillonDev @AmyWishman
If I've forgotten anyone, I'm sorry!
@ForceGrey @Perry_Downing @catray @ally_m_andrews @CalJHarris @JoystickChevron @TheRealDFronz @8tb24 @devinatteln @BlueJaigEyes @aDillonDev @AmyWishman
If I've forgotten anyone, I'm sorry!
All in all, this is something I truly wish every #StarWars fan can experience at least once in their life. On here, it can feel as if fandom is wholly toxic and not worth our time.
I'm telling you that the toxic people are few and the majority of us just want to be fans.
I'm telling you that the toxic people are few and the majority of us just want to be fans.
The positivity I saw filled my heart with so much joy and love, I started crying walking back to my hotel for the final time. #StarWarsCelebration was truly one of the best experiences of my life so far and I can't wait to see how this year ends. I love you, all!
P.S. I forgot a funny story. @ek_johnston was the final author signing for From A Certain Point of View and I told her how much I enjoyed Queen's Shadow, specifically how she started and ended the story. It was beautiful imagery and so heartbreaking. But wait...
@ek_johnston responded with a wonderful evil cackle and I love her even more now. I'm one of those fans who truly appreciates really gut wrenching, emotional storytelling.
GIVE HER A YA PALPATINE NOVEL TO WRITE YOU COWARDS lol
GIVE HER A YA PALPATINE NOVEL TO WRITE YOU COWARDS lol
