Recommended music: Daft Punk – One More Time
It’s #WhateverWednesday, so here’s another round of celebration as I keep looking through photos from my California trip last year. I’m on part 12 of this series and still enjoying every moment of these memories.
That weekend, I snapped about a thousand photos. Some feature my Star Wars Legacy Collection R3-A2, but for most of my trip to Rancho Obi-Wan in Petaluma, R3 stayed tucked away in my pocket. Rancho Obi-Wan, started by Steve Sansweet, is the world’s biggest Star Wars memorabilia collection, with around half a million unique items. There are plans to combine this collection with three others to create The Saga Museum. https://ranchoobiwan.org/thesagamuseum/
What really brought me to Petaluma for this unforgettable weekend was the Rebel Force Radio Live Podcast Fundraiser for Rancho Obi-Wan, with all proceeds supporting The Saga Museum. After exploring the collection, grabbing a bite to eat, browsing the store, reviewing raffle prizes, and encountering roaming Jawas, I was excited to sit down and watch a live recording of the top Star Wars podcast.
Here’s a short clip from the start of the show. There were only about 100 people in the crowd, but everyone was excited to be there.
Hosts Jason Swank and Jimmy Mac wasted no time in bringing on guests to interview, including Rancho Obi-Wan Executive Chairman and Founder Steve Sansweet and President and CEO Anne Neumann.
A standout moment at live shows is when Puppet Lando takes the stage with his smooth singing.
I didn’t have a running of the Hoods on my bingo card for the night. Willrow Hood, or the Ice Cream Maker Guy from The Empire Strikes Back, has become a popular cosplay at Star Wars fan events. At this one, two Willrows handed out ice cream and fake mustaches to everyone watching the show.
Friend of the show Chris Sorrentino, @babybelushi, popped by for a laugh wearing his Blues Brothers cosplay.
After the live show, the night kept going with a fantastic after-party at Torches restaurant in downtown Petaluma. The staff put a lot of effort into the Star Wars theme and made sure the group of 100 fans had great late-night service.
Dolly Parton even made an appearance in colors that matched my cantina shirt—well, at least her cardboard cutout did, for some reason. Overall, it was a fantastic night that went on until the early morning with a great group of Star Wars fans.
Lagunitas Brewing Company, another Petaluma favorite, gave us a good reason to get up the next morning and enjoy some great food and drinks.
I meant to finish this series by the end of last year, but “One more time, we’re gonna celebrate” and wrap things up next week. Stay tuned!
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Dale's Toys 