Star Wars fans descend on Ewood Park as annual convention returns to Blackburn

It wasn’t quite May the fourth, but the force was definitely felt on Sunday as a legion of Star Wars fans descended on Ewood Park in Blackburn.

The annual Star Wars Fan Fun Day, which was held on May 5, saw a handful of famous actors from the movie franchise signing autographs, while fans from far and wide had the chance to purchase Star Wars merchandise or ‘Shoot a Storm Trooper’, all in aid of the East Lancashire Hospice.

Colum Neely, 15, from Darwen, came to the Star Wars Fan Fun Day last year and said it was brilliant, with his favourite character being feared Jedi Hunter, General Grievous.

Colum Neely, 15, from Darwen with the Mandalorian (Image: NQ Staff)

Star Wars fans queueing up to get autographs from some of the Star Wars cast including Amy Allen and Adrian Rawlins (Image: NQ Staff)

Lyndsay Livesey, 42, also from Darwen, said she likes Star Wars because of the characters and enjoys anything to do with sci-fi. She said: “I went to the Comic Con last year at King George’s Hall and met some stars there. My favourite character from Star Wars is Kylo Ren.”

Paul Dunn, who runs the Star Wars Fan Fun Day along with Neil Livesey said: “We’ve been doing this for about 16 years.

“The first one was in Clayton Park, and we had Kenny Baker there. Then we moved it to Burnley, and for the last couple of years it’s been here in Blackburn.

“We’ve got Amy Allen here today, who played Aayla Secura, Duncan Pow who played Ruescott Melshi in Andor, and Adrian Rawlins, who was also in Harry Potter.”

Lyndsay Livesey, 42, from Darwen, with the Mandalorian outside Ewood Park (Image: NQ Staff)

The Star Wars fan day took place at Ewood Park in Blackburn on Sunday May 5, 2024 (Image: NQ Staff)

Star Wars collectables on sale at the Ewood Park Star Wars fan day (Image: NQ Staff)

One hundred per cent of the proceeds taken on the day go to the East Lancashire Hospice, with Paul saying they hope to top the £8,000 which was raised for the charity at last year’s event.

He went on: “Seeing people smile is the highlight of the day. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, where you’re from, Star Wars brings everyone together, and seeing the smiling happy faces on the youngsters, some who come for the first time, makes everything worthwhile.

“Star Wars’ appeal comes from the escapism it provides. Everyone likes that good against evil battle, and we have the ‘good’ fans and the ‘evil’ fans.

“I’m a fan of the original films, but we’ve got fans of all the new Star Wars films here today too, it’s just a real family-friendly vibe.”

Lyndsay Livesey with some Stormtroopers (Image: NQ Staff)

Lucas Arkinstall, 7, with his aunty and uncle, Keeley and Lenny Degriffa (Image: NQ Staff)

Seven-year-old Lukas Arkinstall attended the fan day with his aunty and uncle, Keeley and Lenny Degriffa, and said he’s loved Star Wars since his dad introduced him to it. His favourite film is Return of the Jedi.

Oscar Allum, four, from Burnley, came to the event dressed as his favourite character, Kylo Ren. Along with his aunty, Angel, and grandma, Kelly, they spoke to actor Amy Allen and said she was, “lovely”.

Kelly said: “We love coming to this event. We’ve been to the ones in Manchester and it’s always heaving, but this is nice because you actually get to talk to the actors.”

Star Wars Lego on sale at the Ewood Park Star Wars fan day (Image: NQ Staff)

Oscar Allum, 4, as Kylo Ren, with his grandma Kelly Allum and auntie, Angel Allum, 15 (Image: NQ Staff)

Also in attendance at Ewood Park were Star Wars fans from the Imperial Alliance and 5th Legion groups, some dressed in full costume, some just there to take photos and enjoy the experience.

John Ashton, from Burnley, who came as a Biker Scout Trooper, said he attends the event every year in memory of a family member who was looked after by the East Lancashire Hospice and enjoyed everything about the day.

While 28-year-old Jack Walsh, a photographer for the 5th Legion said the highlight for him was raising funds for the charity.

John Ashton from Burnley of the Imperial Alliance as a Biker Scout Trooper, with Jack Walsh, 28, from Clayton-le-Moors, a member of the 5th Legion, and Freddie, 11, and George Copland, 8, from Haworth (Image: NQ Staff)

Steve Mulvaney from Wigan as Darth Vader and Kenneth Bradbury from Brierfield as Grand Moff Tarkin (Image: NQ Staff)

Star Wars figures on sale at the Ewood Park Star Wars fan day (Image: NQ Staff)

Mark Johnson from Blackburn as Count Dooku; Andrew Marjoram from Middleton as a Jedi Temple Guard; and Michael Wooff from Great Harwood as a 327th Clone Trooper (Image: NQ Staff)

Star Wars Ewok figures on sale at the Ewood Park Star Wars fan day (Image: NQ Staff)

Once all the money from the Star Wars Fan Fun Day is collected and counted, organisers Paul Dunn and Neil Livesey will present a cheque to the East Lancashire Hospice.

More information about the Star Wars Fan Day can be found here: swffd.co.uk or on Facebook at facebook.com/StarWarsFanFunDay