Star Wars Celebration 2020 Not (Yet) Cancelled
An Update on the Event in Anaheim, Aug. 27 – 30
The folks who run Star Wars Celebration gave an official update today, which read:
Greetings Star Wars Celebration Fans,
We wanted to give all of you an update on Star Wars Celebration in light of the COVID-19 virus.
At Star Wars Celebration, the health and safety of our fans, attendees, exhibitors, guests and staff is our number one priority. Given global developments related to the COVID-19 virus, we want to share some of the steps Star Wars Celebration is taking to actively and continuously monitor the situation.
We are in contact with the city of Anaheim, the Anaheim Visitors Bureau, and the Anaheim Convention Center. We are committed to ensuring that our event plans meet or exceed the latest public health guidance, including that of local and state authorities as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This is a very dynamic situation, with a rapidly changing landscape. While the opening day of Celebration is still four months away, we are actively assessing the most up to date information and following all directions from federal, state and local public health authorities regarding large public gatherings in the state of California. In the event that we postpone or cancel Star Wars Celebration we will offer all fans the option to either transfer their tickets to the new event dates or receive a full refund of their ticket order.
Additional announcements about the status of the event will be made in the coming weeks as we review the most up to date guidance from state and local health authorities. We know how much Star Wars Celebration means to all of you, and we will make every effort to give you as much advance notice as possible regarding any changes to our plans.
May the Force be with you!
The Star Wars Celebration Team
Hmmm….
While I am happy for those of you who have ticket and remain hopeful, this sounds shaky at best. What did Jason Robards call it in All the President’s Men? A non-denial denial?
Yeah, I wouldn’t be shocked if Disney shut it down, particularly with the very careful and pragmatic planning by the state government in California.
And I am not alone in that thought:
As of RIGHT NOW, #StarWarsCelebration (Aug. 27 in Anaheim) is still on.
However… today’s update feels like a bit of a warning shot. pic.twitter.com/xKFZzBbOR2
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 30, 2020
The official update on #StarWarsCelebration
Have to be honest, this reads very similar to statements made about SDCC before it was cancelled. I except #SWCA will be cancelled but maybe we'll get some kind of virtual Celebration to tide us over until we can be together again pic.twitter.com/AcnFr5fY0v
— Chris ❤️ Star Wars Celebration (@CelebratingSW) April 30, 2020
Keeping in mind that many other high profile, and similar, events have recently canceled it seems specious to believe that SWCA will make it through the summer unscathed.
“It is with deep regret that we announce there will be no Comic-Con 2020,” said the statement from San Diego Comic-Con, which was the most major of those fan events to bow out of 2020. “We will return to the San Diego Convention Center July 22 – 25, 2021. If you purchased a badge for Comic-Con 2020, you have the option to request a refund or transfer your badge to Comic-Con 2021.”
Sounds familiar.
Informed speculation suggests (insists?) that a return to Anaheim in 2021 makes the most sense. Of course, it doesn’t make the most “cents” so it remains to be seen what actually happens in August.
May the Force be with us all.