"It is a period of commemoration. Star Wars fans, striking out from home bases everywhere, arrive for a victorious Star Wars Celebration IV, this year marking the 30th Anniversary of far and away the greatest story in the galaxy. Register online, and party like you've blown up a Death Star."
On February 16, 2006, StarWars.com posted an article[2] hinting at a Celebration IV. Up until that point, such an event had been only fan speculation. This announcement by the Official Site led fans to believe that Lucasfilm Ltd. might be in the planning stages at that point. During a question and answer session at the 2006 Star Wars Disney Weekends, Rick McCallum confirmed[3] that there would be a Celebration IV in 2007 as fans had expected. Concurrent with the previous rumor[4], on May 26, 2006, StarWars.com confirmed officially[5] that there would be a Celebration IV, and that it would be in Los Angeles, California from May 24 to May 28 of 2007. Tickets for the event went on sale at approximately 12:00 PM PST on October 30, 2006, and online pre-registration was available until March 31, 2007.
Official Pix was again in charge of the Star Wars celebrity autographs, likely with more guests than the previous Celebration (which had 41).[6]
Beginning on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 9:00 AM in Hall K of the Los Angeles Convention Center, there was held an official six-movie Star Wars marathon screened to those who had purchased tickets. The 17-hour long event, including intermissions, rolled directly into the first day of Celebration IV, only open to Hyperspace members. Fans attending the marathon received one of the commemorative buttons created exclusively for the event so that fans could brag that they were there. Tickets were free, available to those attending Celebration IV, but seats were limited and tickets had to be reserved in advance. Concessions were available during the screenings.[7]
Fans can register at the Star Wars Celebration site here.
Steve Sansweet has stated that the versions of the films shown will be the DVD edits, and that he expects the attendance to the marathon to be around 2,000 - 4,200 people.[8]
Occupying a majority of Exhibit Hall A, the Celebration Store introduced a new way to gain access to their merchandise by way of Quick Path shopping time reservations. Those who purchased a badge online could obtain one 2-hour timeslot at the Gencon site. The store was open 24 hours a day starting at 12 PM Thursday, May 24, and continued until 2 PM Monday, May 28.
In addition, there was also repaint of the Luke Skywalker X-wing helmet mini-helmet released by Master Replicas made exclusively for the Celebration IV conference called the "Wedge Antilles Celebration IV Conference exclusive."
Thursday, May 24: Noon - 8:00 PM (Hyperspace members).
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 25-27: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM.
Monday, May 28: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Open to all CIV attendees.[9]
Exhibit Hall HJ
Monday, May 28, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM on the Behind-The-Scenes Stage
Constantly perusing the HoloNet? Know more about the dark side than Halagad Ventor? Know who Halagad Ventor is? If so, then consider pitting yourself against the Wookieepedia experts in this game of Star Wars trivia: Stump the Wookiee—because just being here isn't nerdy enough!
Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki, presented a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-based trivia contest complete with prizes on the Behind-The-Scenes Stage. Contestants, initially to be chosen throughout the early days of the convention at the Wookieepedia table in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall, were instead decided upon at the event based on the fastest to answer a qualification question.
Saturday, May 26, from 9:00 - 10:00 PM on the Concourse Stage
Tickets to this event were available exclusively to registered pass holders for Celebration IV with online registration ending Monday, April 30. Admission to Fisher's appearance was $15 and seating was limited.
Hours for the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall:
Thursday, May 24 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday, May 25 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 26 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 27 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Monday, May 28 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fans of the Star Wars movies and fans of live theater enjoyed an exceptional show each time the energetic Charles Ross performed The One Man Star Wars Trilogy. The Canadian actor delighted audiences daily at the Los Angeles Convention Center from Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28, with a special 6:00 PM showing on Thursday, May 24 for Fan Club members.
Jay Laga'aia hosted the first annual Star Wars Celebrity Contest from the Concourse Stage, which showcased fans gifted with talents involving Star Wars ranging from songwriters to character impressionists to comedians. Audition videos were uploaded to YouTube under the tag "starwarscelebrity", and were limited to 90 seconds of footage, and the contestants were chosen from these videos. The winner received a life-sized clone trooper statue with second place taking home a Han Solo in carbonite statue and third bringing in a Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker bust with removable helmet. All contestants, however, received a consolation prize.
Held on Friday, May 25 and Sunday, May 27 from 4 to 6 PM on the Petree Stage, 75 participants each for two pageants competed for the title of finest costumers in the galaxy.
[11]
Fans were able to preview scenes from the new Weinstein Company film Fanboys on the afternoon of Friday, May 25 in the Celebration Theater. On Saturday, May 26, a special panel discussion with the movie's creators and some of the actors was held on the Concourse Stage. A comic book detailing events of the movie was also offered to fans at CIV.