May the Fourth be with us all

May 4 means many things to many people. It’s the day Margaret Thatcher became prime minister of the United Kingdom, for instance. Me? I’ll always remember it as the first day I ever got really drunk. It’s also the Big Day of Giving, the online push to get folks to donate to Sacramento-area charities. And, perhaps even more important—to nerds around the world, at least—it’s Star Wars Day.

This unofficial holiday will see Star Wars fans band together, argue about whether The Force Awakens was really all that, and repeatedly say to each other, “May the Fourth be with you.” Here are a few ways to celebrate in the region:

Swing by Empire’s Comics Vault (1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K) for an all-day May the Fourth party, with Star Wars movies playing nonstop on the shop’s sweet 65-inch screen. Empire will dish out free popcorn and also put all Star Wars merchandise on sale. More at www.empirescomics.com.

If you want to reenact your favorite fight scene, head to Fremont Park (1515 Q Street) for an epic lightsaber battle. All ages are welcome to gather around 8 p.m. for this free, bring-your-own-saber event, which drew about 1,000 people last year. At 9 p.m., everyone will have to pick a side—good vs. evil, duh—and then the showdown begins. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/newmindspace.

For a more-talking, less-fighting sort of battle, consider the Star Wars-themed pub quiz at Sactown Union Brewery (1210 66th Street, Unit B). Show up at 7 p.m. and expect to be grilled on episodes IV through VII along with Rogue One and a little expanded universe-related material. Teams are limited to six players, admission costs $5 per person and the winners get cool cash. Register your team at http://bit.ly/ThemeQuizReg.

Spotlight Ballroom (2534 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 150, in West Sacramento) is hosting a Star Wars-themed West Coast swing dancing party, which starts with a quick, beginner-friendly lesson at 7:15 p.m. Open dancing starts at 8 p.m., followed by a raffle at 10 p.m., plus cookies all night long. Entrance costs $8 plus an extra $4 for the lesson. More at www.facebook.com/SpotlightBallroom.