How To Celebrate May The Fourth Be With You!

I’m a reluctant Star Wars fan but my family has been celebrating the Star Wars “holiday” of May The Fourth Be With You for a while now. After years of thinking, Luke and Leia were lovers (oops) and half-way watching the movies (the original trilogy-OBVIOUSLY) while reading a magazine or playing on my phone; the classic fight of good vs evil, a young hot Harrison Ford, and a kick-butt princess with dry humor and wit finally roped me in. Then my son came along and inherited my husband’s love for all things sci-fi. I’m constantly stepping over lightsabers and Han Solo legos. My two-year-old daughter, like me, didn’t have much choice but to embrace the movie franchise. Luckily for her, she’s coming up in a time where there are even more strong females in the galaxy far, far away and I love that she enjoys all the action. She hasn’t that seen much of the movies but she has been in her fair share of lightsaber fights! Here are some family-friendly and interactive ways to get into the Star Wars spirit this year.

Star Wars fans may gawk if you tell them you’ve never seen a movie but I promise they won’t kick you out, so consider hitting up some of these Austin-based events: 

Kids and adults alike would enjoy a trip to the Wells Branch library. Kylo Ren and Rey will be there reading stories. Be sure to stick around for pictures and a meet and greet! 

The Cinematic Symphony will perform a FREE, live concert of John Williams’s music from the Galactic Empire! New episodes means new music. Come enjoy the performance and fun trivia. Costumes welcome. (Not affiliated with the church but the concert will be held in their sanctuary.) Doors open at 7:45pm.

May The 4th Be With Y’all really puts an Austin spin on the holiday. Its a “Star Wars inspired charity event, special performances, and an art show. This year’s event will include a Star Wars musical performance by the Baffles, a lightsaber battle, costume contests, a Star Wars trivia game, Star Wars cocktails, and much more.” The event is kid friendly from 5-8pm but stays open for adults until late. Plus, all proceeds ffromthe event benefit Ronald McDonald House-score!

The Round Rock Express always hosts a Star Wars night at the Dell Diamond. Its actually on Friday, May 11th this year, meaning you have plenty of time to score tickets! Characters walk the grounds and are more than happy to pose for pictures. Lightsaber battles can be seen pre-game but be sure to stay for fireworks set to John Williams’ Star Wars score after the game! 

Not up for an adventure out on the town?

No worries, I got you covered! Start the movie marathon early (there are A LOT of them) and enjoy an intergalactic battle of good vs syrup with these adorable pancake molds! Have a kiddo that is a little young for the movies? My kids love the Star Wars Golden Books as well. There is one for each movie and extras such as I AM A PRINCESS, a favorite at our house. Movie and book day requires plenty of snacks at our house and we’ve had fun making various Star Wars treats. A few of our favorites have been Lightsaber Pretzel Rods, Lightsaber Ice Pops, and Dagobah Punch. Enjoy!

Lightsaber Pretzel Rods

• Dip pretzel rods into melted Candy Melts. (Candy Melts can be found at craft stores, Amazon or even Walmart.) 
• We used red and green candy melts. The lightsaber pretzels had to be realistic good versus evil colors.
• Let dry on wax or parchment paper.

Lightsaber Ice Pops

• Fill ice pop mold with red, green, or purple liquid. (The various colors of lightsabers.) We used Kool-Aid.
• Let freeze.
• Battle! (Our ThinkGeek ice pop molds are no longer available but these are cute!)

Dagobah Punch (Straight from Yoda’s swamp)

• Combine 2 liters of ginger ale and 24 oz of pineapple juice.
• Pour into individual glasses.
• Add a scoop of lime sherbet to each glass.

May the force be with you however you choose to celebrate and as Yoda would say: A cool mom, you are!

Don’t let all the intergalactic celebrating go to your head though because May 4, 2018 kicks off quite the holiday weekend. This year, May 5 brings Cinco de Mayo AND the Kentucky Derby (my personal fave). Most of us know where to get a great margarita (pretty much anywhere in Austin, amirite?) to commemorate Cinco de Mayo but don’t forget to tune into “the most exciting two minutes in sports” on Saturday afternoon. If you aren’t into making your own mint juleps, the Driskill Hotel always does theirs right! Happy celebrating!