ORLANDO, Fla. – Thousands of Star Wars fans filled the Orange County Convention Center Thursday for Star Wars Celebration VI.
Officials kicked off the opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. with dancing R2D2s, dozens of Stormtroopers and lots of people in costumes.
Steve Elliot and his friends brought their home-made lightsabers and dressed up like Jedi Knight for the convention.
Elliot says there's no better place for a Star Wars fan.
"The fans here are so giving and they're so accepting of anyone that goes I just want to have fun here," Elliot said.
In all organizers are expecting more than 35,000 people from all over the country for the event, like Kathy Skirmont, who flew in from California with her family.
"People don't really approach me saying its nerdy," Skirmont said. "Star Wars is so universal that everyone loves it."
Voice actor James Alan Taylor is one of the hosts. Taylor says that this year everything is bigger. More people, more exhibitors, more merchandise, and more featured speakers from the original movies-such as Princess Lea Carrie Fisher.
"It's a different celebration that all of the other various cool things that are happening here," Taylor said. "It really a once in a lifetime event."
Star Wars VI runs through Sunday. Tickets are still available, with single day tickets running around $60.