EMMAUS, Pa. – Forget the traditional calendar; for movie fans, May 4th is a major holiday.
It’s a melody that has defined generations. And Monday night, it’s drawing people back to where the saga began nearly 50 years ago.
“May the Fourth be with you.”
“I’m just a Jedi, you know. This is just what I wear on Mondays.”
For the fans at the Emmaus Theatre, May 4th isn’t just a pun; it’s an annual tradition that keeps the spirit of the rebellion alive.
“It introduces you to the world and the opening is just, it’s unbeatable when the ship comes in. It’s just amazing. And I just think it’s a good starter point for the whole franchise. At the time that it came out, it was, like, so different,” said Lehigh Valley resident Julian Bracey. “It was just a beautiful movie, you know, growing up as a kid.”
It’s been decades since Luke Skywalker first looked up and saw the twin suns of Tatooine. But for fans here, that magic is still very much alive, 49 years later.
“My whole entire life is planned around Star Wars. I mean, it kind of sculpted who I am as a person,” said Quakertown resident Whitney Chadwick-Lessar. “I think Lucas’s commitment to Princess Leia and really, you know, feminine actresses. I really liked how he included her as a real strong female and gave all the girls of my generation a chance to really look up to somebody. And she had the respect from everyone, too.”
Whether they’re here for the heroes they grew up with, or to share memories with a new fan, the community here proves the allure of a galaxy far far away hasn’t faded.
May the Fourth be with you.