Fire up your lightsabers: Stars Wars Day is almost here in Southwest Florida.
The popular event celebrates Wookies, Sith Lords, the Millennium Falcon and all things Stars Wars on the same day every year: May 4th — as in “May the 4th be with you.” Fans everywhere mark the holiday with parties, movie screenings and more.
Southwest Florida is certainly no exception. Here are some of the bigger events happening Friday in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples and the rest of Southwest Florida:
Hammond Stadium: The Fort Myers Miracle celebrates Star Wars Day with the help of Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Hans Solo, R2-D2 and other Star Wars characters. Attendees often dress up in costume for this popular annual event. Includes contests, post-game fireworks and photo ops with Stars Wars characters. The event takes place during the Fort Myers Miracle baseball game against the Jupiter Hammerheads. 7 p.m. $8.50-$10. Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, south Fort Myers. 768-4210 or miraclebaseball.com
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Pirate Cruise: This adults-only cruise features Star Wars-themed cocktails, music, dancing and a costume contest. Bring an illuminated lightsaber and get $10 off your ticket. 7 p.m. $25. Salty Sam’s Pirate Cruise, 2500 Main St, Fort Myers Beach. facebook.com/events/152772192058073
Millennial Brewing Company: This second-annual event includes cosplay characters, Stars Wars movies on TV, a Star Wars-themed photo booth, Star Wars face paint, a balloon artist, costume contests and more. A family- and pet-friendly event. Come in costume and get half-price off your first beer. 5 p.m. to midnight. Free. Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 271-2255 or millennialbrewing.com
“The Last Jedi”: This movie screening has been CANCELED. Its organizers, the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations, blame licensing restrictions. Club Square behind Big Blue Brewing, 4721 S.E. 10th Place, downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations
Rockade: This Star Wars Day party features a costume contest at midnight, dance music, Star Wars-themed food such as Nerf Herder Burgers, and various specialty drinks (including Darth-tinis, Tatooine Twists and Yoda Sodas). 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free. Come in costume and get a free pass to Dixie Roadhouse next door. Check in on Facebook and get a free “Wookie Cookie.” Rockade, 1015 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. 541-7900 or facebook.com/caperockade
Palm City Brewing: Watch Star Wars movies on a projection screen and drink mojitos on tap. Plus beer specials. 4-10 p.m. Free. Palm City Brewing, 7887 Drew Circle, Suite 130, San Carlos Park. 362-2862 or facebook.com/PalmCityBrewing
City Tavern: The bar staff and patrons dress up to celebrate Star Wars. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free. City Tavern, 2206 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 226-1133 or mycitytavern.com
Paint Party: Paint the Death Star or a moon in these two Star Wars-themed painting events. Seating is first come, first served. Dress to paint. Bring your own food, beer, wine and Champagne (no hard liquor) or buy from the wine bar. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $35. Vino’s Picasso in Fort Myers (15250 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 109) and Naples (2367 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Unit 805). For Fort Myers: 288-6953 or facebook.com/vinospicasso. For Naples: 431-8750 or facebook.com/vinospicassonaples.
“The Last Jedi”: Cape Vineyard shows the Star Wars movie as part of its ongoing free-movie night. Plus free popcorn, hot dogs, sodas and candy. 7 p.m. No admission. Cape Vineyard Community Church, 923 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral. 549-8075 or capevineyard.com
Backstreets: The Cape Coral bar will be showing televised Star Wars movies all day on various TVs. Plus they’ll be serving “Blue Milk” alcoholic drinks (a Star Wars reference to a drink also known as bantha milk) for $4 each. 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Free. Backstreets Sports Bar, 915 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral. 945-7555 or facebook.com/BackStreetsSportsBar
Star Wars Cocktail Class: Learn how to make Star Wars-themed drinks with names like The Yoda, The Dark Side Martini and Obi-Rum. Themed hors d’oeuvres will also be served. 7-9 p.m. $45. Tiburon Golf Club, 2620 Tiburon Drive, Naples. Call 593-2214 to RSVP.
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)
