Calling Han Solo

May the Fourth Be With You is not a Star Wars event. It's a community event by Stars Wars fans for Star Wars fans.

This exact language is legitimately important for the organizers to use to avoid getting in trouble with Lucasfilm. Oh, Star Wars fans will be happy, though.

After a successful inaugural event last year, the family-friendly miniconvention is expanding to two days of activity this year. On Saturday, May 3, at the West Sacramento Community Center (1075 W. Capitol Avenue), a lightsaber combat show and workshop will illuminate the Black Box Theatre at noon, with artwork showcased at a gallery reception at 4 p.m. A couple hours later, throw on a costume and join a festive pub crawl through Old Sacramento.

The main event—yes, on Sunday, May 4—begins at 10 a.m. and features vendors, photo ops, games, live entertainment, a parade, exhibits, panels, lightsabers and Jedi mind tricks.

Cosplayer? Stormtrooper every Halloween? Either way, there's a costume contest. And photos from last year reveal that it's intense.

At night, there's a special, potentially raunchy comedy show with the Critical Hit geek-comedy troupe. It's being advertised as PG-13.

May the Fourth Be With You is a collaboration between Sac Geeks and the city of West Sacramento Parks & Recreation.

Tickets are $11-$22 depending on various add-ons; children 12 and under get in free. Half of ticket sales benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation. www.maythefourth.info.