THE FORCE will be strong in Redditch this Saturday, October 1 when the Star Wars Echo Base Live Episode 11 flies into the Kingfisher.
Regular entry is free from 10am with nine guests from a galaxy far far away joining the force-filled fun for autographs for fees.
Among the biggest names will be Dermot Crowley, who played General Madine in Return of the Jedi before appearing in Call Red, Father Ted, The Bill, Midsomer Murders and Luther.
The Empire Strikes Backs AT-AT driver Paul Jerricho will stomp in from Hoth, while other guests include Chris Bunn, who played Danz Borin and a Stormtrooper in the original trilogy and has also appeared in James Bond and Superman.
Over 180 tables of toys and collectibles will offer everything from lightsabers to action figures and there will be a huge charity raffle.
And cosplayers will ensure there are more Jedi, Jawas and Bounty Hunters walking through the shopping centre than the Mos Eisley Cantina.
Organisers have urged people to bring cash on the day as the Wifi struggles to cope with demand- and republic credits will not do.
A spokesperson said: “The first event had 20 tables and we’ve built it from there and many of us have grown to be great friends, even away from the hobby.”
In 2015 the team introduced fund-raising into the collecting group and that has since generated £100,000 for good causes.
Each year a member of the admin team chooses a charity important to them, and this year the cash will be going to Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, which helps young people in deprived areas.
Last year £28,000 was raised for the Spinal Unit Recreational Fund, which helped the mother of one of the members after spinal surgery.
Each year, people travel from all over the UK and afar afield Sweden, Norway, Germany, Spain and even the USA and Argentina.
Visit facebook.com/EchoBaseLIVE/ for more information.
