Event coverage from yesterday, today & tomorrow – The fanfare through our eyes.
On May the 4th, 2013 Rancho Obi-Wan had a table at the San Francisco based Super 7 store. Super 7 is lead by our friend Brian Flynn and at that time was a small store in The Haight. “May the 4th” was just gaining traction as an unofficial “Star Wars Day” driven by fans. It wouldn’t be until several years later that the media and Lucasfilm would jump on board.
Happenings: Silicon Valley Comic Con 2016
The first Silicon Valley Comic Con (now SiliCon with Adam Savage) was March 18–20, 2016 in San Jose, California. Rancho Obi-Wan had an exhibit of almost 300 items featuring electronics and computers, favorite toys and, as always, fan art.
Read more of the story and browse the photos below.
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Happenings: The Grand-Reopening of Rancho Obi-Wan 2011
In 2010, the first version of Rancho Obi-Wan closed down for renovations and expansion. It had been in existence—with constant changes and additions—since 1999 when the first former chicken barn on the property had been converted into a very nice warehouse for my burgeoning Star Wars collection. The changes and enlargement, which would take over a year to accomplish, would be quite dramatic. And to commemorate the rebirth and reopening of Rancho Obi-Wan and its conversion into a nonprofit museum with scheduled tours, something grand was called for.
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Happenings: Petaluma Hobby Expo
Even the smallest of comic conventions, hobby expos, toy shows, and fan fests can make for a fun family outing. I remember a small convention called Fan Days that took place in the Plano Event Center in Texas. That convention grew to become the massive Dallas Comic Con that eventually merged with Canada’s Fan Expo. Petaluma’s Hobby Expo has a focus on modeling, but also includes toys, other hobbies, and celebrities.
Happenings: Opening of Imagination Park
In 2013 George Lucas donated a parcel of land he owned in downtown San Anselmo, California, to a community foundation and paid to raze the commercial buildings on the lot. The Foundation constructed a lovely pocket park named Imagination Park on the grounds and Lucas, a longtime San Anselmo resident, donated two bronze statues to sit on a park fountain, one of Yoda and the other of Indiana Jones.
Happenings: Steve in Poland
I visited Poland in 2011 to attend a fan convention, “Fantasy Days: Between Science & Fiction.” I was the guest of the editors and publishers of a short-lived Official Polish Star Wars Magazine.
Happenings: Super7 May the 4th Event
On May the Fourth, 2013, the Rancho crew packed up to do a special exhibit at Super7, a pop culture collectibles and clothing shop in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury neighborhood.
Happenings: Comic Con 2011
Steve talks about the origins of Rancho Obi-Wan’s “Rebel Command Table” which serves as our presentation centerpiece.
Thinking of you on what would have been our Gala weekend 2020
All of us at Rancho Obi-Wan have been thinking of our Gala supporters this weekend. It would have been our 8th annual Gala fundraiser on Saturday and we missed seeing you all here. We look forward to celebrating with you next year. Thank you all, take care of yourselves, see you soon.
Happenings: C2E2 2010
The first C2E2—the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo—took place April 16 to 18, 2010 at Chicago’s main convention center, McCormick Place. Steve Sansweet was there representing Lucasfilm and gave a presentation on what was up at the company, including the continuing adventures of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.