Local Kids Learn the Jedi Way

A man dressed in a Stormtrooper costume from the Star Wars movie series asked a group of children, “Who here has a library card?”

This question elicited loud cheers from the group of kids sitting on the floor of the Free Library of Northampton Township. Children began shouting, “Me!” and “I do!”

At the Star Wars Training Academy event at the , parents, children, and members of a local organization worked together to put on a night of activities.

Children’s librarians Christy Lazzarino and Barbara Lewis set up for the event.

At 6:50 p.m., minutes before the doors opened and the children poured in, Lazzarino said, “Last night, we watched 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' here at the library as part of this children’s event. We wanted something for the kids to do while they’re on spring break this week.”

Once the children took their seats in the front of the large room, men and women dressed as Star Wars characters entered and stood in front of the crowd of excited kids. In attendance were the Stormtrooper, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, an Imperial Guard and a Jawa.

Following a short question-and-answer session between the characters and children, the librarians split the crowd into two groups for activities. Children were able to create and decorate lightsabers made out of foam, color pictures of planets to paste on a wall-sized piece of black paper (representing a universe) and try their hand at an obstacle course that ran through multiple rooms of the library.

Many parents were happy to have a place their children could come during the Council Rock school district’s spring break.

Nicole Peirce, from Northampton, explained she came out that night because of the Star Wars theme.

“My son and I are huge fans of Star Wars. I’m here with him and his best friend, and they couldn’t wait to come here tonight,” she said.

Tracey Learner, from Southampton, came to the Star Wars Training Academy with her son, Chance, and nephew, Danny.

“It’s really nice that the library put on this event and did it for no charge to the parents,” she said as her son and another child battled with their foam lightsabers.

Learner also commented on the popularity of Star Wars in her household.  

“My son earns Star Wars toys for good grades," she said. "He has the video games and action figures, and he has had two Star Wars-themed birthday parties.”

The parents and children present posed and took pictures with the numerous Star Wars characters around the library.

James Cannon, dressed up as Darth Vader, said that he is part of an organization of Star Wars fans who dress up in character and attend different charity functions and children’s events. The group of which Cannon is a member is “Garrison Carida,” or the 501st Legion.

“I’ve been a fan of Star Wars since I was 7 years old, and that’s when the original film was in theaters,” Cannon said between posing for pictures.  “When I came across this group online, I knew I wanted to be a part of it, and, five years later, I’m still here.”

Gabe Wright, a 10-year-old who lives in Richboro and is home-schooled, said, “I wanted to be a Jedi since I was three. I love Star Wars.”

Gabe’s mother, Stevi Wright, said that she had seen several other home-schooled children that her son knew personally.

“Gabe has been a Star Wars fan for years now. I’m surprised at how well this event turned out; the characters look great,” Wright said.