The Empire paid a visit to Plant City Friday afternoon in search of rogue Rebels during the Last Friday in Downtown event, which kicked off a three-day Star Wars celebration.
Darth Vader, Clone Troopers, Storm Troopers, Imperial Gunners, Tie Pilots, Inquisitors, Rey, Luke, Leia, Yoda and more were spotted marching along the sidewalks of downtown, popping into stores and posing with the community. Some of those in costume were just locals who were excited to celebrate, while others were members of the 501st Legion, “an international fan-based organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate replicas of Imperial Stormtrooper armor, Sith Lords, Clone Troopers, bounty hunters, and other villains from the Star Wars universe.”
Businesses created unique Star Wars-themed drinks, snacks, soaps, candy and other goodies in honor of the event. Star Wars merchandise was on display throughout the downtown core and many of those businesses continued the celebration Saturday and Tuesday, wrapping the massive event up on May the 4th, aka Star Wars Day.
Friday’s event was highly attended and local shops saw no shortage of Star Wars fans throughout the rest of the event.