Jessica Cejnar Andrews / Wednesday, May 24, 2023 @ 9:27 a.m.
Party Like A Wookie; Del Norte's Forest Moon Festival Features 'Mandalorian Mercs', Jedi Training, Film Screening
Courtesy the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce
Don your best Star Wars getup as Del Norte gets ready to celebrate its role in cinema history.
From the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce:
(Del Norte County, California) As part of the official Forest Moon Festival, the Del Norte County community will commemorate the 40th anniversary release of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi with a variety of free themed events starting on Friday, June 2 in downtown Crescent City and Beachfront Park. Prior to the event at dusk, there will be official Lucasfilm costumers from TheMandalorian Mercs posing for photo opportunities, plus plenty of vendors and food trucks.
Del Norte County’s roots run deep when it comes to the third film in the original Star Wars trilogy. On May 4 in 1982, George Lucas began filming Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in the county’s iconic redwood forests and was the film site for the forest moon of Endor, home of the Ewoks. Lucasfilm even employed 100 Del Norte County residents to play Storm Troopers.
The two-day festival starts on Friday, June 2, 2023 and continues through June 3, 2023 with a full schedule of events throughout the county, including the communities of Smith River, Hiouchi, Crescent City, and Klamath. Free events include City of Crescent City’s Rebel Training Challenge obstacle course, a parade, and a costume contest for adults, kids and even pets. Smith River’s Howonquet (Xaa-wan'-k'wvt) Village & Resort will host a Griffon costume contest and a Forest obstacle course. All event times will not overlap so festival-goers can attend all activities.
In addition to the scheduled events,Visit Del Norte County will be encouraging festival attendees to play the “Forest Moon Seek & Selfie” game throughout the two-day festival by posing for photos with 11 life-size classic Star Wars cardboard characters from the film to earn a free collectible sticker and chances to win Star Wars themed prizes.
FREE EVENTS (AND COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED):
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023
9am-4pm - Play the “Forest Moon Seek & Selfie” Game to Win a Prize
Location: Crescent City-Del Norte County Visitor Center, 1001 Front St, Crescent City (stickers and prizes will be claimed here)
Snap your photo with up to 11 classic Star Wars life-size cardboard characters at 11 themed-out business locations throughout Del Norte County and post them to earn a collectible sticker and to win Star Wars themed prizes.
Participating businesses include: Hiouchi Cafe, Howonquet Village & Resort, SeaQuake Brewing Co., Port O’ Pints Brewing Co., Tsunami Lanes, Enoteca Cafe, Paragon Coffeehouse, Rumiano Cheese Co., Crescent City-Del Norte County Visitor Center, Redwood Hotel Casino and the Yurok Country Visitor Center. In addition, both Crescent City’s Friday night film screening and the Rebel Training Challenge will have a character to pose with as part of the game.Refer to the website for updates, locations, specials and activities happening at all of these businesses.11:30am-8pm - SeaQuake Brewing Co.
Forest Moon themed food, drink and beer specials, and kids’ activities.
Location: 400 Front St, Crescent City12pm to Close - Port O’ Pints Brewing Co.
Food, drink and beer specials for all themed out guests. Live music by the band Black GTO starts at 7:30pm.
Location: 1215 Northcrest Dr, Crescent City4pm-12am - Visit Yurok Country - Redwood Hotel Casino
Casino gaming promotion with $10 free play if dressed up in the Forest Moon theme and drink specials.
Location: 171 Klamath Blvd, Klamath5pm-12am - Cosmic Bowling at Tsunami Lanes
Galactic bowling night with free shoe rentals for those wearing themed costumes.
Location: 760 L St, Crescent City5pm-7:30pm - First Friday Event
Shop, eat and drink around downtown. Many of the businesses will be themed-out for Forest Moon.
Location: 3rd Street in Downtown Crescent City (between G and J streets)5pm-7:30pm - Safekeeping: The Art of Val Polyanin
Limited-time art exhibit featuring strange sculptures and alien-like paintings. Wine and snacks, plus Forest Moon activities for both kids and adults like galactic temporary tattoos and astrological star chart readings.
Location: 240 H Street, Crescent City7:30pm-8:45pm - Forest Moon Festival Official Event Pre-party
Pre-film activities include food trucks, vendors, and photo opportunities with the Lucasfilm official costumers, the Mandalorian Mercs.
Location: Beachfront Park, Crescent City8:45pm - Forest Moon Festival Themed Movie
Watch the Forest Moon Festival themed movie under the stars.
Location: Beachfront Park, Crescent City8pm-10pm - Enoteca Cafe
Live music from The Mighty Steelheads. Dress up in Forest Moon themed costumes and receive 10% off food and beverages.
Location: 960 3rd St, Crescent CitySATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2023
9am-4pm - Play the “Forest Moon Seek & Selfie” Game to Win a Prize
Location: Crescent City-Del Norte County Visitor Center, 1001 Front St, Crescent City (stickers and prizes will be claimed here)
Snap your photo with up to 11 classic Star Wars life-size cardboard characters at 11 themed-out business locations throughout Del Norte County and post them to earn a free collectible sticker and to win Star Wars themed prizes.Refer to the website to view participating businesses and locations.11:30am-8pm - SeaQuake Brewing Co.
Forest Moon themed food, drink and beer specials and kids’ activities
Location: 400 Front St, Crescent City9am-12pm - Forest Obstacle Course & Griffon Costume Contest - Howonquet (Xaa-wan'-k'wvt) Village & Resort
Location: 12420 US Hwy 101 North, Smith River12pm-5pm - Rebel Training Challenge Obstacle Course & Festival - City of Crescent City
Festivities include a costume contest, a DJ, dancing, live music, trivia, parade, food, arts, crafts and more.
Location: Beachfront Park, Crescent City, California4pm-12am - Visit Yurok Country - Redwood Hotel Casino
Casino gaming promotion with $10 free play if dressed up in the Forest Moon theme and drink specials.
Location: 171 Klamath Blvd, Klamath5pm-12am - Cosmic Bowling at Tsunami Lanes
Forest Moon themed bowling night with free shoe rentals for those wearing costumes.
Location: 760 L St, Crescent City6pm-8pm - Enoteca Cafe
Dress up in Forest Moon themed costumes and receive 10% off food and beverages.
Location: 960 3rd St, Crescent City7pm to Close - Cantina Night - Port O’ Pints Brewing Co.
Special galaxy theme night featuring far out tunes by DJ Miss Powers. Food, beer, drink specials for all themed out guests with dancing, costumes and prizes.
Location: 1215 Northcrest Dr, Crescent City
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