As a native Floridian and native Orlandoan (Orlandonian? Orlandoite?), this is indeed huge news. It seems that the premier convention for all things Star Wars is coming to my fair city in August, 2010, as Star Wars Celebration V will be landing at the Orange County Convention center next summer.

From August 12 -15, 2010, fans of the Star Wars universe will converge in the Sunshine State to take part in the convention that will feature cast and crew from all six movies, fan-run events, costume contests, live entertainment, screenings, autographs and so much more. Tickets for the event go on sale starting on December 10, 2009 and include four-day passes for $120, three-day passes for $45 and one-day passes for $50.

Official Press Release

LUCASFILM AND REED EXHIBITIONS ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE STAR WARS™ CELEBRATION V

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back,
Massive Fan Event will Take Place in Orlando, Florida August 12-15, 2010;
Registration Will Go Live Thursday, December 10

Norwalk, CT, December 3, 2009: Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and the ongoing, weekly adventures of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Lucasfilm Ltd. and Reed Exhibitions’ PopGroup will partner to produce what’s expected to be one of the largest official Star Wars fan events ever – featuring cast and crew celebrities, fan-run events, costumes, music, live entertainment, screenings, autographs, collectibles, panels and sneak peaks into the future of Star Wars.

Star Wars Celebration V will take place August 12-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. A website, www.starwarscelebration.com, is dedicated exclusively to the event, and tickets to Star Wars Celebration V will be available for purchase online starting Thursday, Dec. 10. As always, Celebration will bring together the best of the Star Wars universe in one exciting, dynamic event.

Lucasfilm Ltd launched Star Wars Celebrations in 1999. Since then, the official Star Wars “parties” have become mega events, attracting tens of thousands of loyal and devoted fans and families. To date, there have been four Star Wars Celebrations in America, as well as a Star Wars Celebration Europe (2007) and Star Wars Celebration Japan (2008). Star Wars Celebration V will be the first Star Wars Celebration produced jointly with Reed PopGroup, which is responsible for the successful New York Comic Con, the new Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and more.