Star Wars Day Shenanigans You Can Partake In So The Force Will Remain Awakened
With cities looking about as desolate as Tatooine, we’re here to remind you that we’re about halfway through “Circuit Breaker”. We know you’re feeling just like Han Solo frozen in carbonite – stuck with no way out.
In spite of this, while this fourth of May may be one spent at home, it doesn’t mean the young Padawan in you deserves to be slammed shut.
Let your inner Jedi float freely in your mind palaces as we explore 5 socially responsible ways to celebrate Star Wars day from the confines of your homes.
1. Virtual Star Wars run
The annual Star Wars Run has been as staple as the words flying through space in every Star Wars movie intro.
This year, however, in light of the Covid-19 social distancing measures put in place, a close proximity gathering like a run would be simply unacceptable.
As such the organisers have brought the run to us virtually. Anyone aged 18 years and above from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia*, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines can pledge their allegiance and join the virtual run.
There are 2 available categories for the run – 5.4km that you can run on your own, or 40km that you can choose to run cumulatively with a fellow fan. Finishers from the 40km category will receive a limited edition Gold Darth Vader trophy, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back.
The best part about this run? You don’t even have to finish the entire distance at one go. As long as you compete the distance by 30 Sep, you can spread it out over as many sessions as you wish. Participants will get to choose your own course with their trusty MOVE by LIV3LY app.
So if Chloe Ting challenges just aren’t your cup of tea, perhaps you could join this OTOT run to burn off those Jabba the Hutt fats.
Sign up here to join the intergalactic side of your choice.
*Indonesian participants have to be 21 years and above.
2. Binge watch the most epic saga of all time
Star Wars rights are understandably hard to come by, so die-hard fans would already know that the Skywalker saga cannot be found on Netflix.
However, the moment we’ve all be waiting for to watch Star Wars legally on our own has arrived, all thanks to Disney+.
Starting today (4 May), fans of the series can catch every movie available to stream on the platform. While unavailable in Singapore, fret not, for this is where a nifty VPN service will come into play.
TV series The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian are also available on Disney+, so you don’t have to worry about getting too little Star Wars.
If you don’t have time, which we highly doubt, you can always watch YouTuber Saint Cloud Batman watch Star Wars episodes 1-6 at the same time. It has a run time of about 2.5 hours, so if you get to it now, you can still finish it in time for Revenge of the Fifth (of May).
3. Splurge money saved from eating in on discounted Star Wars merch
With outings limited to the supermarket, it’s almost safe to assume that there have been some savings in expenditure over the past month.
So if you’re a die-hard fan, why not use that to buy some heavily discounted merchandise to brighten your dulled spirits a little?
Hasbro Singapore is having a Star Wars Day Sale on Lazada with discounts of up to 70% off.
Among some of the collectibles you will be able to find a remote controlled BB8 and even a premium Darth Vader Electronic helmet to live out your darkest Sith Lord dreams.
For purchases over $30, Hasbro is also giving away a free Mighty Muggs Kylo Ren, so there’s that. Whatever your opinion of Kylo Ren – aka emotional discount Vader – the word free is bound to entice.
While the sale is ongoing from today until 10 May, some items are flash deals for the 4th of May only.
4. Immerse yourselves in Star Wars games
For all the gamers out there, we know you wait for all the flash sales on Steam and Epic Games. Well, good news. Multiple platforms are offering Star Wars games on sale for today.
Prices are slashed for all Star Wars related games on Steam and GOG.com, with the classic Star Wars battlefront 2 going for as low as just S$3.50.
Other games like the free-to-play Fortnite have also incorporated the May the 4th festivities into their gameplay. Players can find Rey, Luke, Kylo Ren and Mace Windu’s lightsabers lying around the island. If willing to part with a few V-bucks, you can even get Star Wars related gliders and outfits.
Epic Games is also offering Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at a discount, that comes with a free Imperial Stormtrooper outfit you can use in Fortnite.
So many birds you can kill with just one lightsaber.
If you’re a little lazy to play on your own, you can also catch an ongoing livestream of Star Wars Battlefront 2 games that are raising funds here.
5. Star Wars fashion
We know that shipping is taking ages in this time, so we don’t mean actually buying Star Wars clothing or costumes.
Rather, simply put, Star Wars apparel is now a lifestyle.
In a Facebook post from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), we are reminded to mask-on like Vader and keep lightsaber distances away from each other.
We know that wearing masks might cause some Vader-like breathing discomfort, but it is all for the better.
Do or do not, there is no try — we don’t want the government setting any Boba Fett bounty hunters hot on our tails.
Bonus: Celebrating the real troopers amongst us
Coincidentally, May the Fourth is also International Firefighters’ Day. While we fangirl/fanboy over the likes of Darth Maul and Count Dooku, let us also rally around the IRL fighters amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
May the fourth and health be with you
While we are cooped up at home, there are still countless ways to make not just 4 May exciting, but every other day as well.
We hope that everyone will continue to stay safe and healthy amid this dark time.
May the fourth be with you.
Featured image adapted from Run Society.
