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View Winners → Star Wars event at Chalice Collectibles in Arcadia to raise funds for charity
Arcadia Weekly Mar 27, 2024
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Tickets now on sale
The Force will be with Chalice Collectibles, the biggest independent retailer of Funko Pops in the world, and all Star Wars fans in Arcadia on May the 4th, which is international Star Wars Day, when celebrities from the Star Wars universe will gather for a signing event raising funds for two of LucasFilm’s favorite charities: the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Starlight Foundation.
Fans in the San Gabriel Valley, and beyond, will have the opportunity to meet:
- Chris Bartlett, the voice and human behind C-3PO and 1-JAC on the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and Q9-0 “Zero” and The Ferryman on “The Mandalorian,” among others;
- Kat Cressida, the voice of Princess Leia in “Star Wars: Rebellion” “X-Wing Alliance” and “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron,” as well as the voice of Dee Dee from “Dexter’s Laboratory,” Jessie the Cowgirl from “Toy Story,” Constance Hatchaway from “The Haunted Mansion” and Marvel’s Elektra;
- Misty Rosas, who portrayed Kuiil and Frog Lady on “The Mandalorian”; and
- Leilani Shiu who portrayed Teeka The Jawa on “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Tatooine Jawa and Offworld Jawa on “The Mandalorian,” and Tatooine Jawa and Chadra Fan in “The Book of Boba Fett.”
Additionally, there will be fully interactive, cinema-grade, life-size droids of R2-D2 and BB-8 interacting and taking photos with event guests.
Bartlett, Cressida, Rosas and Shiu will be selling and signing Funko Pops, including vaulted ones, 8-by-10s, photo opportunities and other exclusive Star Wars and Disney merchandise. A representative for JSA, a third-party authenticator of collectibles, will be present to authenticate autographs at $5 per item.
To raise funds for Make-A-Wish and the Starlight Foundation, guests can enter a charity raffle to win autographed Funko Pops by all participating celebrities, and Chalice Collectibles will be making a large donation. Additionally, all four celebrities will also be donating partial proceeds of what they make in autograph sales.
Cressida, who last did a signing at Chalice Collectibles over two years ago, spoke to Arcadia Weekly in a phone interview.
“I’m so excited!” Cressida enthused, sharing that this event is “for the fans.” Unlike at larger fan conventions, Chalice is putting together a more accessible event without compromising on star power and thrills.
“What’s really amazing about this particular event, of course it’s not just the serendipity of the timing … it’s that I was able to assemble this incredible crew of legit Star Wars celebrities who normally would have been in different parts of the world meeting fans on international Star Wars Day,” she shared.
In addition to the aforementioned Star Wars celebrities, award-winning balloon sculptor Jeremy Johnston of Atomic Balloons, who has previously participated in Star Wars events, will also be on site creating impressive balloon figures for attendees. Johnston will also donate partial proceeds from the day to charity.
Guests may also see some of their favorite rebels and imperialists decked out in authentic regalia and weaponry. The 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization, has been invited to the event.
Star Wars fans the world over are dedicated and passionate, and what makes this event stand out is that this May the 4th they’ll have a chance to channel that fervor toward helping children.
“To be able to turn it into, not only a way for fans to meet some of the talent behind their favorite characters and for Funko collectors to get their autographs, but to also raise funds on so many different levels through the event for critically ill children…it just makes it a galactic event,” Cressida shared. “We’re all truly honored to be a part of this and make some magic on this very special day.”
Tickets to guarantee a preferred time slot are available for $5 at chalicecollectibles.com. Fans may also drop in on the day of the event but they’ll need to wait in line.
