As we continue to adjust to the complex life changes and ripple effects of COVID-19, we are hoping that those who are able can make a donation to Rancho Obi-Wan on behalf of friend Ringo Davil (D. Martin Myatt). Rancho Obi-Wan is an independent, non-profit organization, established by Steve Sansweet, that offers tours and preserves many of the rare and obscure collectibles/memorabilia from our favorite franchise. Rancho Obi-Wan relies on contributions and donations for operability. The Star Wars fan base is large and generous and has already reached the goal originally set. Let’s continue this momentum in an effort to ensure that ROW is around for years to come.

Galaween takes place in the midst of the world’s largest collection of Star Warsmemorabilia and is hosted by master-collector Steve Sansweet. The Gala will raise funds for the ongoing costs of maintaining Rancho Obi-Wan and enable us to continue our mission of inspiring others. We look forward to spending an incredible evening with you celebrating our mutual love of Star Wars and relaxing amongst friends! Head to Rancho Obi-Wan for the details.

Toys”R”Us has issued a press release detailing the events of their Force Friday/Midnight Madness being held at stores across the world. Click on through for the full details.

WAYNE, NJ (August 4, 2015) – Toys“R”Us^® is going into hyperdrive and preparing an out-of-this-galaxy, global celebration for the upcoming debut of toys based on the next chapter of the Star Wars^™ Saga at 12:01am on Force Friday, September 4. Counting down to the highly anticipated toy launch and this fall’s new theatrical release, Toys“R”Us stores worldwide and Toysrus.com have transformed into Destination: Star Wars, every fan’s retail source for The Force with hundreds of new products, including those only available at Toys“R”Us. On Force Friday, Toys“R”Us stores around the globe will open their doors for special midnight opening festivities, providing customers of all ages the opportunity to be among the first to purchase must-have merchandise, receive exclusive giveaways and immerse themselves in all things Star Wars. The company’s international flagship store, Toys“R”Us Times Square in New York City, will host a historic Star Wars toy exhibition leading up to the grandest midnight opening celebration of all, welcoming legions of eager fans with costumed characters, signing events, giveaways and more all day on Thursday, September 3.

Click to Tweet: .@ToysRUs announces nationwide midnight openings for #ForceFriday & epic #ToysRUsTimesSquare celebration! #DestinationStarWars

“Since the introduction of the first Star Wars toy in 1977, Toys“R”Us has served as the ultimate destination for Star Wars playthings, providing millions of kids and collectors worldwide with their most beloved memorabilia,” said Richard Barry, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “Since then, Star Wars has become a time-honored franchise with loyal fan interest, making it a perennial, top-selling licensed property. With the upcoming introduction of the new Star Wars toy line, we’re excited to welcome the next generation of fans into our stores around the world with exclusive products, special events, feature shops and giveaways.”

Toys“R”Us to Help Fans Worldwide Build Their Toy Empires

With operations in 38 countries, Toys“R”Us is leveraging its global footprint and position as the toy authority to provide an unprecedented Star Warsexperience worldwide. On Force Friday, September 4, Toys“R”Us locations in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the U.K, will open at 12:01am to welcome eager shoppers. The first customers to line up for the big product debut will receive Star Warsgiveaways, including an exclusive poster, as well as the chance to be among the first to purchase exclusive Star Wars merchandise in dedicated front-of-store feature shops.

Leading up to Force Friday, stores in each of these countries will count down the minutes to 12:01am on September 4 with digital clocks, as well as Star Wars-themed microsites on each of their respective e-commerce pages. Social media users can follow the company’s worldwide midnight openings on each country’s social media channels, as well as via the Toys“R”Us U.S. Twitter channel, @Toysrus.

Midnight Openings Descend on Destination: Star Wars in the U.S.

When the clock strikes 12:01am on September 4, all Toys“R”Us stores in the U.S. will open their doors, giving customers the opportunity to be among the first to purchase hundreds of new Star Wars playthings, including a wide variety of merchandise they can’t find anywhere else.^* As an added bonus, little Jedi Knights and their families attending midnight opening events will have the chance to receive special giveaways, including a limited edition LEGO^® Star Wars Commemorative Brick and an exclusive Star Wars poster, while supplies last.^** Also at midnight on Force Friday, shoppers will be able to browse and purchase the new products online at Toysrus.com/StarWars.

Those eager to count down to the highly anticipated toy debut can now find digital clocks at all Toys“R”Us locations nationwide and online atToysrus.com/DestinationStarWars. Beginning on Force Friday, dedicated Star Wars feature shops will be found at the front of all stores nationwide, featuring a combination of figures, construction sets, accessories and more, plus updated countdown clocks reset to tick off the minutes to the release ofthe new movie.

Additionally, gamers can now preorder Star Wars Battlefront^™, the ultimate Star Wars video game experience, along with Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars, at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/StarWars.

For the latest Destination: Star Wars news and updates, fanatics can follow @ToysRUs on Instagram and Twitter, as well as Facebook.com/Toysrus. Followers are encouraged to post photos of their Star Wars toy empire, themselves dressed in their best Star Wars cosplay and their midnight opening experience, as well as engage with one another and Toys“R”Us using #DestinationStarWars.

The Force is Strong at Toys“R”Us Times Square

The biggest midnight opening celebration will take place at the company’s international flagship store in New York City, Toys“R”Us Times Square, where fans of all ages are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars character and take part in dozens of one-of-a-kind activities designed especially for Star Wars aficionados.^***

The World’s Greatest Toy Store^™ is kicking the party off early with a special exhibition featuring prototypes, originals and early editions of some of the best-known Star Wars toys in the world, curated by Rancho Obi-Wan, Inc., a non-profit museum that houses the Guinness World Record-certified largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Presented prominently throughout the store, “Destination: Star Wars – The Experience,” will be on display from Wednesday, August 26 through Monday, September 7 and will feature dozens of notable collectibles based on all six feature films from the Star WarsSaga, including the original first four mail-away action figures from 1978, a large-sized Chewbacca figure in never publicly-released The Empire Strikes Back packaging from Kenner Products and a rare 2003 LEGO Star Wars Cloud City building set.^****

The adventure kicks into high gear on Thursday, September 3, when the store hosts Star Wars activities throughout the day, beginning at 9am^****, including:

• A book signing and meet and greet with Steve Sansweet, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rancho Obi-Wan, Inc., storied Star Warsauthor and former Head of Fan Relations and Director of Content Management at Lucasfilm Ltd.
• An art class and meet and greet with fan-favorite Star Warsand science fiction artist, Jeff Carlisle.
• Star Warsproduct demonstrations and activations throughout the store, including Star Wars-themed 3-D action figure creation with 3D Plus Me, video gaming on Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars kiosks and experiencing intergalactic sound on Star Wars-themed headphones powered by SMS Audio.
• ALEGO Star Wars make and take for rebels looking to build their toy empire brick by brick.
• ALight Saber Academy with members of New York Jedi, a community of cosplayers, martial artists and teachers who share practical stage combat techniques oriented toward Light Sabers.
• Photo opportunitieswith costumed characters, including Furbacca, a character versioned after the Hasbro^® toy that makes wookiee sounds like CHEWBACCA, Geoffrey the Giraffe and more.
• Ice cream flavors inspired by the Star WarsSaga from Scoops“R”Us^™, the flagship store’s in-house ice cream shop located on the Lower Level.
• Star Wars-themed cookie decorating at a “Wookiee” Cookie Party on Level 1.
• Special giveawaysfor the first fans in line, including a Collector’s Edition LEGO Star Wars Commemorative Brick, an exclusive, limited edition Star Wars poster and a Star Wars Character Flashlight from JAKKS Pacific.^***
• Star Warstrivia, a costume contest and a galaxy of excitement and prizes, while supplies last, for those fanatics waiting in line.
• A panel discussion with Steve Sansweet and Jeff Carlisle for select lucky fans, which will also be livestreamed via Periscope @Toysrus on Twitter.
• The ultimate unveilingof the official Toys“R”Us Times Square Star Wars feature shop at 12:01am on Force Friday, September 4.

^*Toys“R”Us stores in the U.S. will open at 12:01am local time on Friday, September 4, except for stores in Paramus, NJ, which have varying store open times due to local ordinances. Toys“R”Us Express and Outlet locations generally follow the hours of their respective shopping centers. All store hours can be found online at www.Toysrus.com/StoreLocator.

^**Event open to all ages. Parental supervision required at all times. All giveaways and event materials available while supplies last and distributed to event participants only. Limit one per person. Quantities limited; no rain checks. Giveaway quantities vary by store.

^***Event open to all ages. Parental supervision required at all times. All giveaways and event materials available while supplies last and distributed to event participants only. Limit one per person. Quantities limited; no rain checks.

^****Toy enthusiasts can view the entire listing of products featured in “Destination: Star Wars – The Experience” and a full schedule of Toys“R”Us Times Square events, including times, online at the company’s Times Square Store Special Events page.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.

Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 864 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in more than 730 international stores and over 240 licensed stores in 37 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys at FAO.com. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys“R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 66,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys“R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus, Twitter.com/Babiesrus and Twitter.com/FAOSchwarz.

STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.

Our friends at Star Wars Action News have revealed the official details for the Star Wars Fan Breakfast held this year at San Diego Comic-Con. Check out the video above and be sure to subscribe to the Star Wars Action News YouTube channel as well.

It’s time join James Burns to wrap up all the reveals from Toy Fair and see what he thinks of the products coming out later in 2015 as well as discussing the elephant in the room – The Force Awakens products. Mark Newbold guests and shares his thoughts on his first ever Toy Fair experience from a collecting point of view. Gus Lopez joins James to discuss his collecting habits, the books he’s written with Duncan Jenkins, the Star Wars Celebration Collecting Track and more. The show wouldn’t be complete without a catch up with Steve Sansweet and the latest goings on at Rancho Obi-Wan including the news about their first ever self-published book. Tune in for all this and more in a feature packed edition of the Star Wars Collectors Cast brought to you by RebelForce Radio.

It’s time for another dose of the monthly Star Wars Collectors Cast, the last for 2014.  This month James Burns is joined by one half of the dynamic duo that is RebelForce Radio – Jimmy Mac – to talk through his collecting habits and what’s new in the world of Star Wars collecting, including the recently leaked Star Wars: The Force Awakens action figure prototype images

As always, James heads to northern California to check in at Rancho Obi-Wan and catch up with Steve Sansweet and find out what’s been going on at the world largest collection, and all about the brand new Rancho Recruiter initiative.

It’s the gift that keeps on giving, tune into this month’s Star Wars Collectors Cast now!

Help Rancho Obi-Wan continue its mission to inspire with the Force of imagination and get yourself some exclusive swag: Become a Rancho Recruiter! For full details head to RanchoObiWan.org.

Rancho Obi-Wan has updated their website with a preview of some of the items that will be available at auction later this month for their annual Rancho Ob-Wan Gala. There are truly some gorgeous pieces available. Tickets are still available to attend or to donate as any absentee bidder.

They’ve finally done it… James Burns and Dan Curto have reached a milestone in recording and releasing their 50th show together.

Join them on the Star Wars Collectors Cast for a very special anniversary show with some gifts for their listeners in the form of the ultimate fan boy Kyle Newman, who discusses his latest film along with his current collecting habits and his opinion on Episode VII and beyond. Greg Crafts from Gentle Giant joins them to discuss San Diego Comic-Con and what Star Wars exclusives they’ll have available at the show. Ashley Eckstein drops in for a quick chat to talk about Her Universe at Star Wars Weekends, the R2-D2 ‘My Hero’ Jewelry Collection, San Diego Comic-Con and they ask if she’s missing Ahsoka. Finally, the Collectors Cast wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Rancho Obi-Wan to catch up with Steve Sansweet. All this, wrapped up and tied with a bow – their gift to you to celebrate their 50th show.

Get ready for an intergalactic fun-fest as Rancho Obi–Wan launches its 2nd Annual Gala on Saturday, September 20th. Tickets are limited so reserve space early. Save $50 by booking your passport to a galaxy not so far away by July 13th.

It’s a party as only Rancho Obi-Wan can throw one, in the midst of the world’s largest collection of Star Wars  memorabilia and hosted by master-collector Steve Sansweet. There will be dinner, drinks and dessert all night, a trading-card bounty hunt and other games, door prizes, a special gala T-shirt and a super swag bag filled with exclusive goodies. Get ready for surprises galore, VIPs to mix and mingle with, Rancho’s incredible live and silent auctions, entertainment, special exhibits…and much, much more.

The gala will raise funds for the ongoing costs of maintaining Rancho Obi-Wan including insurance, utilities, security, professional services, maintenance, and protection, preservation and documentation of the collection. No funds are ever used to acquire collectibles. Monies raised will also enable us to continue our mission of inspiring others through public outreach to schools and for other charities to raise funds.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 4pm – 11pm, ADMISSION DONATION: $250
$200 if completed by Sunday, July 13th 9pm PST !

Only Rancho Obi-Wan current supporting members can purchase admission. To become a member or to renew a past membership, please sign up with a $40 tax-deductible donation: http://www.ranchoobiwan.org/support/memberships/

Current members can login to the Member Store to purchase tickets now:
http://www.ranchoobiwan.org/members/member-store/

Contact Rich Smolen rich@ranchoobiwan.org to arrange a donation for our live and silent auctions or for our swag bags. Donors will receive recognition in our social media, on our web site and at the event. Donors will be sent a receipt for tax purposes.

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Star Wars and all associated property is © Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All rights reserved. Rancho Obi-Wan is a proprietary term used under authorization. Rancho Obi-Wan, Inc. is a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, tax ID 45-3771886.

You may be able to deduct donations from your federally-taxable income. Contact a tax professional for details on your specific situation